Overview
Wells is a small town in Elko County in Northern Nevada, with a population in 2010 of just under 1300. It grew up in the 19th century because it offered a water supply on the trail (and later the railroad) to California. It's nowadays a casino town and rest stop on the long highway from Salt Lake City to Reno and Sacramento.
1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wells
Angel Lake
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr.
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 — 47 mi away. Directions
- TWF Joslin Field Magic Valley Regional Airport, Twin Falls — 98 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 158 mi away (major hub). Directions
As a rural junction town, Wells is easiest to get to by car. From points east and west, Interstate 80 runs right to Wells at exits 351 and 352. From the north and south, U.S. Highway 93 runs through Wells and meets I-80 at exit 352.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
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
Like other north Nevada towns, Wells is at mile-high altitude with a semi-arid climate.
Get in
As a rural junction town, Wells is easiest to get to by car. From points east and west, Interstate 80 runs right to Wells at exits 351 and 352. From the north and south, U.S. Highway 93 runs through Wells and meets I-80 at exit 352.
There is a speed trap just outside of town on I-80, so when you see the speed limit drop, follow it strictly until it rises again.
Get around
6th Street intersects Highway 93 a block north of the freeway and can be used to access nearly every hotel in Wells.
Do
Gamble
Gambling opportunities are easy to find in any Nevada town, though table games such as blackjack can be harder to come by in some of the smaller ones. At the very least, many truck stops and convenience stores offer slot machines, video poker, and other automated betting. Some of the larger casino space in Wells can be found at the 4-Way Bar/Cafe.
Brothels
Rural Nevada is the only part of the United States with legal, licensed brothels. Wells is home to two of them, both relegated to the other side of the train tracks from the main part of town, with a dedicated access road between 10th Street and the highway to keep them somewhat secluded and out of sight.
Eat
Eat Bella's Espresso House
Full service restaurant despite the coffee shop name.
Eat Betaso's Restaurant & Bar
Mexican-American food. Part of a complex that includes motel space, an RV park, and a plug-in station for electric cars.
Sleep
Stay Griff's Wagon Wheel Motel
Stay Lonestar Motel
Stay Rest Inn Suites Motel
Stay Sharon Motel
Stay Shellcrest Motel
Go next
- Jackpot and Wendover are both about an hour's drive away from Wells—Jackpot on northbound Highway 93 and Wendover on eastbound Interstate 80. These towns have amenities comparable to Wells in most regards, except with much larger and more extravagant casinos thanks to their locations on the Idaho and Utah borders, respectively.
Nearby
My experience
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