Uncommon Overnighters

from Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide | Summer 2022

Allen Metscher

Uncommon

Overnighters

It’s no secret that Nevada offers worldrenowned, white-glove hospitality at lavish resort-casinos and cozy roadside hotels. But elsewhere in the Silver State, our perks are also our quirks. If you’re looking for a vacation that’s irresistibly different, Nevada’s array of unique retreats and unusual accommodations have got you covered.

GUEST HOUSE

There are many areas of Nevada known for their utter remoteness and off-thegrid appeal. Northwestern Nevada is queen of this category, with miles and miles of nothing but gorgeous scenery. Just 10 miles from the California border and less than an hour to Oregon’s state line, the town of Vya is often called a ghost town—and short of a very small number of residents, it is just that. The remnants of the old post office and library have been partially restored, but you’ll otherwise find little else. So if you’re ready to hit the eject button and kick back in one of the Silver State’s most remote experiences, Rockin’ TD Ranch is for you.

Owners Tony and Diane began building Rockin’ TD Ranch in 2008 and eventually decided to share their empty guest house. In 2016, they began offering guests unbeatable access to some of Nevada’s best outdoor recreation, including wildlife viewing and birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and rockhounding.

MASSACRE RIM AS SEEN FROM THE TOP OF THE HILL AT THE RANCH

A cozy, two-bedroom, two-bath guest house is outfitted with large windows that overlook Long Valley, along with a big, beautiful front porch to take it all in. The property also offers the Rockin’ TD Ranch Bunkhouse, which welcomes folks who travel with their pets. Two sets of bunkbeds, a full kitchen, and single bathroom make this upscale bunkhouse a great family option, too.

While visiting, you may spot a world of wildlife that lives in this remote, northwestern corner of Nevada, but one thing’s for certain—you’ll spot the registered black angus cow and calf operation Tony and Diane run. Along with wildlife preservation, land stewardship and pasture management are an important focus for the duo—be sure to ask them about it and the cattle drives and roundups that may happen during your stay.

BUNKHOUSE

STAY ANOTHER DAY The Rockin’ TD Ranch is the perfect basecamp for adventure. It sits along the historic Applegate Lassen Emigrant Trail which was popular during the mid-19th century, and it’s not too far from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge or the Black Rock Desert. A little farther to the northeast, discover three Nevada mines that welcome visitors to search for opals (Royal Peacock, Bonanza, and Rainbow Ridge).

AFTER-DARK ADVENTURES

One of the most popular reasons to stay at Rockin’ TD Ranch is to visit Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area. Massacre Rim’s night skies represent the darkest of the dark—which is why it was designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary (one of only seven in the world!) by the International Dark Sky Association in 2019. Visitors can see their shadow by the light of the Milky Way—one criterion for Dark Sky designation, and one memorymaking Nevada experience.

Massacre Rim itself is a 1,200-foot basalt rim that towers above Long Valley. Flanked by lichen-covered boulders and ancient stands of juniper, the geological wonder that is Massacre Rim appears black, gray, pink, and gold, backlit by ever-shifting sunlight and clouds.

ANDROMEDA GALAXY PHOTOGRAPHED BY A GUEST WHILE STAYING AT THE RANCH

As night falls, the view gets even better: there is little to no light pollution in any direction. On a moonless night, it can be difficult to identify constellations due to the sheer number of visible stars. And, as Diane notes, these views are visible from the front porch of your guesthouse, too. One night at Rockin’ TD Ranch, and you’ll see why the idea of getting away to nowhere has never been so bright.