7 of the Weirdest Roadside Attractions in Nevada

Visit Nevada’s weirdest roadside attractions, which include a micronation, a clown-themed motel, and a house made from junk.

The word “weird” has been thrown around a lot lately, mostly in a negative light. So today, we’re reclaiming weird for Nevada in all its wacky and wonderful glory.

The Silver State is home to several roadside attractions that are rightfully labeled as weird, like a clown-themed motel, a micronation, and a house made of garbage. There are so many oddball attractions that, to be honest, it’s hard to narrow it down.

But narrow it down, we shall, to seven of Nevada’s weirdest attractions. Trust us when we say you won’t have to look far to find more.

1. The Clown Motel

521 N. Main Street, Tonopah

Clowns are supposed to be funny and entertaining, but many people find them downright terrifying. So leave it to Nevada to have an entire motel devoted to these colorfully crazy characters. Aptly named The Clown Motel, this possibly haunted Tonopah lodging option (located next to a cemetery) showcases thousands of clown figurines and other clown-related items in its lobby. While the rooms have a clown-chic feel with brightly painted walls and clown art, the amenities — like a TV, refrigerator, microwave, and air conditioning — are no joke. 

2. The Middlegate Shoe Tree

51 miles east of Fallon

Photo courtesy of Krissi Sandvik/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

We’d love to tell you that The Middlegate Shoe Tree grows its shoes naturally; alas, as a tree in the middle of the arid desert along Highway 50, the Loneliest Road in America, it’s a small miracle that anything grows here at all. The tradition of throwing shoes in the tree allegedly dates back to a heated lovers’ quarrel that led a man to throw his wife’s shoes into a tree. Over time, those passing by got into the act and threw their shoes, too. Vandals cut down the first tree, but a new tree was chosen to carry on the shoe-throwing tradition. We’ll never be able to solve the mystery of our disappearing socks, but it’s nice to know that the Middlegate Shoe Tree provides a definitive resting place for our shoes.

3. Thunder Mountain Monument

40 miles from Lovelock off Interstate 80

Photo courtesy of leiris202/CC BY-SA 2.0.

When it comes to Thunder Mountain Monument, one man’s garbage is another man’s … home. Built by World War II veteran and onetime California police officer, the late Frank Van Zant (known as Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder), this non-conventional complex was constructed from artifacts found roadside or railside like bottles, hubcaps, and guardrails as well as scrap metal from broken down buildings, all patched together with concrete. Van Zant lived in this odd garden of concrete sculptures, which he dedicated to the Great Spirit, with a series of wives and children before dying here alone in 1989. You can visit the folk art grounds for free, though a donation of $2 per group is recommended. 

4. The Republic of Molossia

226 Mary Lane, Dayton

Photo courtesy of J. Stephen Conn/CC BY-NC 2.0.

Did you know you can visit another nation without ever leaving Nevada? The one-acre Republic of Mollossia was declared a micronation by its property owners, President Kevin Baugh and Madame Adrienne, in 1977. With a population of 35, a national anthem, and a poker chip-based currency, this micronation also boasts infrastructure including a post office, a national bank, a tiki bar and grill, cultural landmarks, a navy (comprised of five lifeboats), and a space force. You can tour Molassia with an RSVP from April through October, but be sure to bring your passport so you can have it stamped. American currency is accepted, of course, for souvenirs.

5. Guru Road (a.k.a. Dooby Lane)

2 miles north of Gerlach

It turns out a mile-long drive through the Black Rock Desert Wilderness can change your life. Dotted with open-air folk art, sculptures, and meaningful, hand-carved quotes, Guru Road (a.k.a. Dooby Lane) adds whimsy and wisdom to any road trip. Established by a Gerlach resident named DeWayne “Doobie” Williams between 1978 and 1992, the stretch of road contains a mixture of lighthearted, humorous, silly, and serious installations. While many people speed by without noticing, those who slow down to check it out are sure to find something that strikes a chord.

6. Coffinwood

2875 Sunset Street, Pahrump

Photo courtesy of Peter Burka/CC BY-NC 2.0.

Most coffins are buried under the ground, but not at Coffinwood. Its coffins are visible on Google Maps and possibly even in outer space. Found in an off-the-beaten-track neighborhood in Pahrump, Coffinwood is a private residence with coffin-shaped buildings. It’s also home to Coffin It Up, a business owned by Bryan and Dusty Schoening. Bryan has been making coffin-shaped goods for over 20 years — everything from custom coffin-shaped kitchens, jewelry, and ping-pong tables to purses, bookshelves, and coffee tables. You can purchase small items on-site or order something to be custom-made. Featured on TLC’s “Wild Weddings,” you can even get married here. Talk about “til death do you part.” Visits must be booked in advance on the Coffinwood website.

7. The Little A’Le’Inn

9631 Old Mill Street, Rachel

E.T. would feel right at home in the tiny town of Rachel, located near the halfway point on the Extraterrestrial Highway (State Route-375). This remote town is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the notorious Area 51. One of the country’s most secretive Air Force bases, Area 51 was once rumored to house little green men. The main landmark in Rachel is the family-owned Little A’Le’Inn, a small restaurant and motel with tons of alien-themed mementos and a quirky clientele. Outside it’s decorated with alien art, UFO parking, and a UFO hanging off the back of a truck. Inside, you’ll find a full bar, food menu (including saucer burgers), and locals with stories that will knock your socks off. While you’re at it, be sure to visit some of the other wacky alien-themed attractions nearby, like E.T. Fresh Jerky and the Alien Research Center in Hiko.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.