Elko, Nevada is a city surrounded by vast expanses of desert and ranchlands. As the county seat of Elko County, it has a population of over 20,000 inhabitants – the fourth largest in the state after Las Vegas, Reno, and Henderson. Located near the crossroads of Interstate 80 and U.S. 93, Elko serves as an important transportation hub for travelers from all over the world who come to explore its rich cultural heritage and experience what life is like in this unique town.
As part of Nevada’s history books, Elko was founded on April 23rd, 1868 when gold miners discovered deposits at nearby Mountain City. The discovery attracted thousands of settlers from around the country seeking their fortunes during one of the most prosperous times in American history – earning Elko recognition as one of Nevada’s oldest cities today. In more recent years, due to its close proximity to several large ranches that produce cattle throughout the region, Elko became known as “The Cowboy Capital” with many annual rodeos held year-round attracting crowds from far away places.
In addition to events celebrating cowboys and western culture such as Cowboy Poetry gatherings and festivals honoring Basque Culture, there are also opportunities to learn about local Native American cultures through interpretive displays at museums like Northeastern Nevada Museum or enjoy outdoor activities ranging from camping at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge to skiing down Majors Peak Ski Resort located just outside the downtown area.
No matter how you choose to spend your time here in Elko – whether exploring historical sites such as Humboldt National Forest or visiting other attractions such as California Trail Interpretive Center – you will be sure to have plenty of options available for creating lasting memories while immersing yourself in this fascinating small-town atmosphere filled with friendly locals eager to share stories about their beloved hometown .