Elko (pop 34,000) is located along the Humboldt River and is the largest city in northeastern Nevada. Founded in the late 1860s as a railroad town, Elko is a unique blend of a rough & tumble western tradition and the Basque culture of Spain, introduced to Elko when Basque sheepherders decided to call this area home. Elko is well known for its annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering, taking place during January every year, which draws thousands of visitors here.
Elko is probably best known in recreational circles as the gateway to the magnificent Ruby Mountains to its east and Independence Mountains and Jarbidge Wilderness to its north. Visitors to Elko will find it an excellent stepping-off point for multitudes of outdoor adventures in the surrounding countryside.
Elko has a good number of affordable lodging options available to travelers and a variety of good restaurants as well. Though there are steakhouses and other eateries aplenty, a real treat in Elko is to take advantage of delicious family-style Basque cuisine at several locations in town.
Elko is located in northeast Nevada along I-80. For more information on the Elko area, please select a topic of interest from the list on the left.
