Austin, Nevada travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Austin is in Nevada.

4 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Austin

Stoke's Castle

Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park

Austin Summit

This pass near the town of Austin is in the juniper forests abundant in this part of Nevada.

Visitor Information Center

This is a simple visitor information center with billboards and a map including the history of Austin.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

From the Bob Scott Campground, there are several hikes into the juniper-covered, mountainous forests that are located east of Austin.

Navadrian Black Mustang Hotspring

A rustic hot spring part of the Spencer Hot Springs location in the middle of the Big Smoky Valley, averages around 100 degrees supposedly.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 100°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Battle Mountain)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
EKO Elko Regional Airport, Elko — 114 mi away. Directions
RNO Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno — 144 mi away (major hub). Directions

U.S. Route 50 is the main road that goes through the town, and it connects Carson City and Fallon with Ely. However, the U.S. Route 50 is known for being the loneliest road and the drive from any major city to Austin is several hundred miles of mountainous terrain.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Austin Summit, Visitor Information Center, Stoke's Castle
Lunch Toiyabe Cafe
Afternoon Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Navadrian Black Mustang Hotspring
Dinner International Cafe & Bar

Day 2

Morning Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

There are a couple places to eat and drink in Austin, but for more choice of restaurants you will have to go to Fallon or Ely.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Austin is an unincorporated town in Lander County, Nevada. In 2010, the census-designated place of Austin had a population of 192. It is on the western slopes of the Toiyabe Range at an elevation of 6,605 feet (2,013 m). U.S. Route 50 passes through the town; this section of Route 50 is considered to be the "Loneliest Road in America".

Get in

Get around

Most of the restaurants and other services are along the Main Street, which is also U.S. Route 50.

See

See Austin Summit

This pass near the town of Austin is in the juniper forests abundant in this part of Nevada.

📍 U.S. Route 50⚠ Last checked Apr 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Stoke's Castle

It is a three-story stone tower located near Austin, Nevada. It was built by Anson Phelps Stokes, a mine developer, railroad magnate, and banker. Intending the building as a summer home, Stokes began building the castle in 1896, completing it in 1897. The castle is patterned after a tower that Stokes had seen and admired in the Roman Campagna in Italy, and the castle is built of hand-hewn native granite, and the stones were hoisted into place with a hand winch and held in place with rock wedging and clay mortar. Eventually, however, the castle fell into disrepair until Molly Magee Knudsen, a cousin of Stokes, bought the castle in 1956. The tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The "Castle" is owned by HW Trapnell of Austin and Dunsmuir, California.

⚠ Last checked Mar 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Visitor Information Center

This is a simple visitor information center with billboards and a map including the history of Austin.

📍 U.S. Route 50near the intersection of Main Street and Virginia Hill⚠ Last checked Mar 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park

⚠ Last checked May 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

Do

Do Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

From the Bob Scott Campground, there are several hikes into the juniper-covered, mountainous forests that are located east of Austin.

📍 U.S. Route 50the main national forest entrance near Austin is the Bob Scott Campground, which is located along U.S. Route 50 southeast of Austin🕒 Summer months only💲 $10⚠ Last checked Apr 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps Website