Overview
Panaca is a city of a thousand people (2010) in Southern Nevada. It is one of only two cities in Nevada that prohibits gambling, the other being Boulder City.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Panaca
Pioneer Day
Beaver Dam State Park
Beaver Dam State Park is the most remote park in the Nevada system, located 34 miles southeast of Panaca. It is a wild area of forests, canyons, streams, and, of course, beaver dams. Activities include fishing, camping, …
Cathedral Gorge State Park
Cathedral Gorge is a fun gorge of bentonite clay that has been eroded into tall, intricate formations. Although all the hikes are relatively short, they afford visitors the chance to explore the cathedral-like spires for…
Court Rock
A distinctive hill/rock formation that was used as a jail until 1871.
Panaca Ward Chapel
Panaca Ward Chapel was constructed in 1867 or 1868 as a Mormon meetinghouse. The oldest building in Lincoln County and is Nevada's Historic Marker #182.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Wettest: Mar and Feb. (climate data from nearby Pioche)
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.
- CDC Cedar City Regional Airport, Cedar City — 71 mi away. Directions
- SGU St George Regional Airport, St George — 71 mi away. Directions
- LAS Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas — 125 mi away (major hub). Directions
Panaca is in the remote desert of Nevada at the crossroads of US-53 and NV-319.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Court Rock, Panaca Ward Chapel, Cathedral Gorge State Park
- Lunch La Cosinita Goyis
- Afternoon Beaver Dam State Park, Pioneer Day
- Dinner Historic Silver Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
It was founded as a Mormon settlement in 1864, making it the oldest settlement in Southern Nevada. The town has not changed much since.
History
Coke ovens here once produced charcoal for the smelters in nearby Bullionville (now a ghost town), but the town's economy is predominantly agricultural.
The name "Panaca" comes from the Southern Paiute word Pan-nuk-ker, which means "metal, money, wealth". William Hamblin, a Mormon missionary to the Paiutes, established the Panacker Ledge (Panaca Claim) silver mine there in 1864.
Get in
Panaca is in the remote desert of Nevada at the crossroads of US-53 and NV-319.
- From Cedar City, Utah – Panaca is 81 mi (about an hour and a half) west of Cedar City on the UT-56 and then NV-319.
- From Las Vegas – Panaca is 166 mi (about three hours) north of Las Vegas on the US-93 and then NV-319.
See
See Panaca Ward Chapel
Panaca Ward Chapel was constructed in 1867 or 1868 as a Mormon meetinghouse. The oldest building in Lincoln County and is Nevada's Historic Marker #182.
Do
Do Pioneer Day
Further afield
Do Cathedral Gorge State Park
Cathedral Gorge is a fun gorge of bentonite clay that has been eroded into tall, intricate formations. Although all the hikes are relatively short, they afford visitors the chance to explore the cathedral-like spires for which the park is famous. The most accessible areas include Cathedral Caves, Moon Caves, and Canyon Caves, although these aren't really caves, but more like narrow slot canyons. Some of them go quite deep and have dark, underground sections. Wildlife includes lots of rabbits and desert spiny lizards. The park also offers a Dutch oven cook-off in April (https://parks.nv.gov/events/dutch-oven-cook-off-at-cathedral-gorge).
Buy
- Panaca Market, 1105 Main St. A good place to pick up camping food supplies or just food supplies in general. Hours: M-Sa 8AM-6PM. Tel: +1 775-728-4454.
Eat
Eat La Cosinita Goyis
A Mexican food truck; it appears to be the only eatery in Panaca.
Drink
Gambling and alcohol are illegal.
Sleep
Stay Cathedral Gorge Campground
22 campsites, mainly oriented towards RVs, but tent camping is also possible. Wheelchair-accessible sites are available. Restrooms with flush toilets and showers. Firewood $5 per armload (bring exact change), but check the current fire warning level. Cell reception inconsistent, wifi is available for a fee. Direct access to hiking trails.
Go next
- Pioche — 12 mi north of Panaca on the US-319, US-93 (Great Basin Highway), then SR-321. The town whose name means pickaxe in French was built to mine silver and has plenty of historic buildings still standing.
- Rachel — 98 mi west of Panaca on the SR-319, US-93 (Great Basin Highway), then SR-375 (Extraterrestrial Highway). A little village that is notable for its proximity to Area 51 and the Nellis Air Force base.
- Ely — 108 mi north of Panaca on the US-319, US-93 (Great Basin Highway), then US-50. A ghost town that has several museums, one of which focuses on its railway heritage.
Nearby
Pioche
City / town · 15 listings · 11 mi away
Caliente
City / town · 7 listings · 14 mi away
Basin and Range National Monument
Park · 3 listings · 56 mi away
Snow Canyon State Park
Park · 4 listings · 58 mi away
St. George
City / town · 50 listings · 65 mi away
Middleton
City / town · 28 listings · 66 mi away
Mesquite
City / town · 14 listings · 70 mi away
Hurricane
City / town · 8 listings · 72 mi away
My experience
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