Skip to Content

Humboldt County Nevada Exploration Guide

Categories Southwest Travel

Nevada Counties » Humboldt County Nevada Exploration Guide

Humboldt County Nevada

Humboldt County Overview

The county contains several areas of land belonging to regionally significant Native American communities including the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe and the Winnemucca Indian Colony of Nevada.

Year Established/Founded

1861

Humboldt County History

Humboldt County is the oldest county in Nevada, created by the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1856.

It was also one of Nevada’s original nine counties created in 1856.

The county is named after the Humboldt River, which was named after Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist, traveler, and statesman by John C. Frémont. Humboldt never saw the places that bear his name. 

Unionville was the first county seat in 1861 until the mining boom died there and it was moved to Winnemucca on the transcontinental railroad line in 1873.

Timeline

  • 1856 – Established as one of Nevada’s nine original counties
  • September 16, 1868 – The original transcontinental railway, constructed by the Central Pacific Railroad, reached Humboldt County.
  • 1907 – Gold ore found in the National District
  • 1935 – Ore found in the Jumbo mine in the Awakening District
  • 1938 – Getchell mine in the Potosi District is one of the largest gold producers in the state

Hiking at Humbolt County Nevada

Humbolt County is home to some gorgeous – and harder – trails. Once we have documented each trail, they will be linked to the below list.

  1. Angel Lake to Greys Peak – 3.7 miles
  2. Buckskin Mountain Trail – 3.7 miles
  3. Camp Creek to Gods Pocket Peak Loop Trail – 20.6 miles
  4. Castle Lake Loop – 11.1 miles
  5. Dollar Lakes – 2.8 miles
  6. Granite Peak Trail – 5.4 miles
  7. Greys Lake – 9.7 miles
  8. Horse Canyon – 6.2 miles
  9. Island Lake Trail 3.6 miles
  10. Lamoille Lake Trail – 3.7 miles
  11. Liberty Lake Trail – 8.7 miles
  12. Mary’s River Basin – 7.9 miles
  13. Overland Lake Trail #47 – 12.9 miles
  14. Ruby Crest Trail – 35.0 miles
  15. Ruby Lakes Trail – 24.7 miles
  16. Smith Lake via Angel Lake Trail – 2.5 miles
  17. Star Mine – 3.8 miles
  18. Timber Creek North Fork Trail – 2.2 miles
  19. Ward Mountain Trail via Ward Mountain Campground – 28.9 miles

National Register of Historic Places

Humboldt County, Nevada is home to 14 National Register of Historical Places. As we explore each one, we will add links to our articles below:

  1. Andorno Station
  2. Applegate-Lassen Trail
  3. Golconda School
  4. Humboldt County Courthouse
  5. Humboldt River Bridge
  6. Last Supper Cave
  7. Martin Hotel
  8. Micca House
  9. Paradise Valley Ranger Station
  10. Silver State Flour Mill
  11. US Post Office-Winnemucca Main
  12. W.C. Record House
  13. Winnemucca Grammar School
  14. Winnemucca Hotel

Historical Points of Interest in Lincoln County

Nevada Historical Markers in Humboldt County Nevada

Currently, Humboldt County, Nevada is home to 12 Nevada Historical Markers. As we explore each one, we will add links to our articles below:

  1. #2 Pioneer Memorial Park
  2. #21 Humboldt Canal
  3. #22 Humboldt River
  4. #89 Paradise Valley 
  5. #105 Golconda 
  6. #143 Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins 
  7. #144 Fort McDermitt 
  8. #146 McDermitt Indian Reservation 
  9. #162 Camp McGarry
  10. #164 Button Point 
  11. #167 Valmy  
  12. #239 Stonehouse

Cities and Towns in Humboldt County Nevada

City

  • Winnemucca (county seat)

Census-designated places

  • Denio
  • Fort McDermitt
  • Golconda
  • McDermitt
  • Orovada
  • Paradise Valley
  • Valmy

Unincorporated communities

  • Stone House
  • Tule

Major Roads

  1. Interstate 80
  2. Interstate 80 Business Loop
  3. Route 95
  4. State Route 140
  5. State Route 289
  6. State Route 290
  7. State Route 292
  8. State Route 293
  9. State Route 294
  10. State Route 789
  11. State Route 794
  12. State Route 795
  13. State Route 796

Adjacent Counties

References Used

Humboldt County Nevada