Beatty is Nevada’s “Gateway to Death Valley,” which is only a short seven miles away. Make Beatty your headquarters as you venture into the vast and awe-inspiring Mohave Desert. From Beatty, you can drive through Hell’s Gate to Death Valley National Park or hike the trails at Desolation Canyon, Mosaic Canyon or The Hebe Craters. Also nearby is Scotty’s Castle, a fascinating home near Death Valley that hosted many a Hollywood party in the 1930s.

Some popular attractions in Beatty are Bailey’s Hot Springs and the Beatty Museum. Beatty was founded in 1904 as part of the Bullfrog Mining District, and the museum houses artifacts, books and photos from the town’s mining heyday. The hot springs are on the site of the town’s former railroad depot and feature private bath houses.

Beatty is also known for its proximity to one of the most photographed ghost towns in the West, Rhyolite. Only four miles away, Rhyolite is a relic of the boom-and-bust era of the early 1900s. The discovery of gold put Rhyolite on the map as it reached its peak in 1907 with 10,000 residents. But it ended as quickly as it began, and the town began to crumble when the gold ran out and residents moved on to more profitable land. All that remains are stone and wood ruins of the former bank, train depot and other town structures. One building of note is Tom Kelly’s bottle house, constructed of nearly 30,000 glass bottles.

As you near the town of Rhyolite, you’ll see ghostly white forms and brightly painted sculptures. This is the Goldwell Open Air Museum, and each of the sculptures represents a part of the town’s history – even the penguin chasing the miner.

There are several motels, hotels and RV parks in Beatty to rest your weary head after a day of touring the area’s attractions. The town also plays host to annual events such as the Rally the Valley Motorcycle Run and the Rhyolite Resurrection Festival.