Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Lovelock, NV

  • Published 2022/09/30

Lovelock is the only incorporated city in Pershing County, Nevada.

As the stop-over area for California-bound tourists, Lovelock has eventually made a name of its own, with many beautiful places to visit year-round.

The city’s economy strives through farming and mining, but as time goes by and tourists discover the exciting place in Nevada, it becomes big on tourism.

Lovelock still has so much to offer in only a square mile, from recreational activities to lottery and game fun.

Explore the small city just outside California.

Here are the best things to do in Lovelock, Nevada:

Bring Your Partners to Lover’s Lock Plaza

Daytime view of Lover’s Lock Plaza

EWY Media / Shutterstock.com

Lovers from around the world visit the Lover’s Lock Plaza year-round to symbolize their love.

Located at 400 Main Street, the plaze lets you join the ancient Chinese tradition of showing love by placing a padlock on a never-ending chain.

Located just behind the Lovelock Courthouse, Lover’s Lock Plaza contains more than 1,000 continuous padlocks.

Closeup of a padlock at Lover’s Lock Plaza

EWY Media / Shutterstock.com

The ancient love locking tradition is popular among Lovelock residents and guests as a reminder that true love exists.

It inspires and gives hope to many people, whether single or in a relationship at the moment.

You can purchase a lock at participating businesses throughout Lovelock.

Welcome sign of Lover’s Lock Plaza

EWY Media / Shutterstock.com

Enjoy the Slot Machines at Big Wheel Casino

For some lottery fun, the Big Wheel Casino is on the Main Street of Lovelock to give you some exciting fun.

Put on your poker face as you play at the casino.

You can also play with their slot machine and get a chance to win an exciting jackpot.

The casino offers an exclusive players club with free play rewards such as play dollars and more.

While enjoying your time at the casino, you can also cool down and have a refreshing drink with them.

Have a blast exploring different slot machines, card games, and more now at Big Wheel Casino.

Play Sports at McDougal Sports Complex

Located at Airport Road is the McDougal Sports Complex, where you can play sports or join events such as Hot Air Balloon Festivals.

In a vast sports park, you can play baseball and softball on the open field.

Likewise, you can also do other recreational activities in McDougal Sports Complex, like jogging and having a quick workout.

No one will stop you if you plan on meditating a bit on the bleachers or enjoying the fresh air from the open field.

Visit McDougal Sports Complex now and work up a sweat!

Visit the Pershing County Courthouse

Exterior of the Pershing County Courthouse

Monacat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pershing County Courthouse, built in 1919, has a rich and colorful history.

The Pershing County Courthouse is one of the most prominent historical landmarks in Lovelock, Nevada.

It was also listed in the National Registry of Historic Places in 1983.

In 1999, the courthouse was renovated with the help of the Nevada Historical Preservation Society and turned into a fantastic place where tourists can learn about Lovelock’s history.

Today, the Pershing County Courthouse features exhibits such as the transcript of the first-ever case heard in the courthouse.

People also believe that Pershing County Courthouse is the last round courthouse still in use today.

Drink Whiskey at Whiskey Creek Saloon

The Whiskey Creek Saloon, located at Cornell Avenue, is a must-visit.

Your trip won’t be complete without some relaxing time with your friends drinking whiskey.

After all, you’ve already spent hours exploring Lovelock.

The saloon offers a variety of alcohol, especially whiskeys, to let you loosen up and enjoy your trip at Lovelock a little more.

Not only do they serve whiskey and other alcoholic drinks, but they also serve a tasty selection of food.

If you care for a dance, get your groove on, as the Whiskey Creek Saloon also encourages dancing.

Visit the Central Pacific Railroad Depot

Exterior of the Central Pacific Railroad Depot

JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located on Broadway Avenue, the Central Pacific Railroad Depot, also known as the Lovelock Historic Depot, is also one of the historical places in Lovelock.

The Central Pacific Depot is a two-story station house built along the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Built in 1880, the famous depot served as a principal access point in Lovelock in the 19th and 20th centuries.

When you see it, you’ll know that you’re already within Lovelock, and the fun is about to start.

The National Register of Historic Places added the Central Pacific Railroad Depot to its record on April 14, 2004.

Buy Honey at MacDougall Apiary Company

Going to this beautiful small city and not being able to bring your whole squad with you.

Don’t worry.

You can bring home a little treat for them, a taste of Lovelock.

The MacDougall Apiary Company, located at Reservation Road, offers the best-tasting honey in Lovelock, Nevada.

The company’s owner has his bees that produce MacDougall honey, earning a thumbs up among Lovelock consumers.

Since 1984, MacDougall Apiary Company has also sold wheat, barley, eggs, and oats.

Widely known for their honey in Northern Nevada, their brand is in other retailers and farmer markets.

Buy fresh and locally produced honey now at MacDougall Apiary Company.

Go Picnicking at Rye Patch State Recreation Area

Welcome sign of Rye Patch State Recreation Area

Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Rye Patch State Recreation Area, open year-round, is at Rye Patch Reservoir Road.

Families wanting to spend quality time together are the most common visitors to the recreation area.

Situated on a 22-mile-long reservoir, visitors can enjoy plenty of water activities such as swimming, water skiing, and fishing.

When you fish at the Rye Patch State Recreation Area, you might get lucky and take home plenty of fresh fish, such as walleye, white bass, catfish, and black bass.

The Rye Patch State Recreation Area also has a 72-mile shoreline for visitors to do some picnicking and camping anytime.

Often, visitors also visit the Rye Patch State Recreation Area for some ghost town exploration.

Shop at Nanny Joe’s Antiques, Retro and Vintage

Raise your hand if you love shopping!

In Lovelock, there’s also a great place to shop that’s both enjoyable to youngsters and the older generation.

Nanny Joe’s Antiques, Retro, and Vintage is inside a historic building in Lovelock’s main intersection.

Since 2013, Nanny Joe’s Antiques, Retro and Vintage offers unique vintage and retro items from its extensive selection of rare kitchen finds, clothing, books, furniture, jewelry, and more.

The true Nevada treasures at Nanny Joe’s Antiques, Retro, and Vintage are unique.

You can’t just buy them in some random store.

Enjoy a memorable shopping experience now and visit Nanny Joe’s Antiques, Retro and Vintage.

Explore the Lovelock Cave

Entrance to the Lovelock Cave

instacruising / Shutterstock.com

The Lovelock Cave is a North American archeological site that people believe existed around 1000 BC.

About 150 feet long and 35 feet wide, people have occupied Lovelock Cave for over 4,000 years.

The Lovelock Cave is one of the most essential and timeless sites in Lovelock and the whole Great Basin region.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984, the cave continuously preserves different organic and inorganic material first logged in 1912.

Besides these materials, thousands of artifacts were also recovered, which are now in different archeological museums.

Located about 20 minutes southwest of Lovelock, the historic Lovelock Cave is a fascinating destination in the state.

Enjoy a Night Out at Longhorn Saloon

Haven’t found a place to hang out at Lovelock?

The Longhorn Saloon, located at Broadway Avenue, is the town’s Western-style saloon, mainly famous for its great cocktails.

A crowd of locals and tourists regularly packs the Longhorn Saloon.

A hometown’s best, the saloon also has a pool table where you can play billiards while enjoying cocktails with your friends.

The drinks and food are reasonably priced, so if you’re looking for a cheap but excellent place for some old-town fun, visit the Longhorn Saloon.

Spend a fantastic and unforgettable night as you dive into their great selection of alcohol at Longhorn Saloon now.

Discover the Marzen House Museum

Exterior of the Marzen House Museum

JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the oldest houses in Lovelock, the Marzen House, also known as the Big Meadow Ranch House, is a century-old Italianate-style house built on Marzen Lane.

Established in 1875, the Marzen House got listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1981.

Recognized for its Italianate architecture and association with Colonel Joseph Marzen, the main historic ranch house is one of the highlights in Lovelock among tourists.

It holds a deep significance not just to the citizens of Lovelock but also to tourists.

The house museum preserves relics and artifacts relating to the rich history of Pershing County.

The fully restored house ensures you’ll have a pleasant visit any time.

Walk around the Tunnel Camp

Established in 1926, the Tunnel Camp, also known as the New Seven Troughs, is in the Seven Toughs Mountain Range, west of Lovelock.

The camp developed into a small neighborhood with several houses and company stores.

Today, some of these structures remain standing.

You can start your adventure at Tunnel Camp by riding your gravel or mountain bike around as its roads are nice and smooth, safe for riders.

On the other hand, there’s also a nearby cemetery in Tunnel Camp that holds the remains of the people who died in a tragic flash flood in Mazuma long ago, making it one of the best ghost towns in Nevada.

Are you looking for ghosts or just a great place to camp?

Visit the former community of Tunnel Camp, and learn as you enjoy.

Rent an RV Home at Candy Beach RV Park

In Lovelock, you don’t always have to check into a hotel during your stay.

You can rent an RV home at Candy Beach RV Park, formerly the Lazy K Campground, and have a wonderful stay with a twist.

The Candy Beach RV Park, located at Cornell Avenue, will allow you to live a sweet life.

As a quiet place to stay, the RV Park still presents many activities.

Likewise, it provides you with everything you need, like a clean restroom, a fast internet connection, large spaces, and more.

You can stay overnight, but you can also rent the place for a month or so, whether alone, with your loved one, with your friends, or with your family.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Visit the Thunder Mountain Monument

Stone house at Thunder Mountain Monument

V. Vormann / Shutterstock.com

Located in Imlay, Nevada, 37 minutes from Lovelock, the Thunder Mountain Monument is another excellent place to visit.

In 1969, Frank Van Zant established the Thunder Mountain Monument, featuring collections of decades-old sculptures and architectural forms.

You can also view the unique photo galleries in the theme park.

Daytime view of the Thunder Mountain Monument

leiris202, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Likewise, Indian culture and history also feature heavily on the premises.

See the quirky structures at the Thunder Mountain Monument.

Sculptures at Thunder Mountain Monument

V. Vormann / Shutterstock.com

Final Thoughts

Check out the best things to do in Lovelock, a charming small city in Nevada.

Visiting Lovelock, you’ll discover more great places yourself with its wide range of great places to visit and things to explore.

Don’t let anything or anyone limit the fun you can have in Lovelock, Nevada!

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