Boise to Reno Road Trip Guide

Less than one hour from Boise is the location of your first stop: the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Located outside of Nampa, the Refuge is on land that surrounds Lake Lowell and is a key area for breeding among mammals, birds, and other animals. Birds like mallards and Canada geese, among others, rest and spend their winters at the Refuge, which is along the Pacific Flyway.

The Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge has been designated a “Globally Important Bird Area” by the American Bird Conservancy. There are two areas of the Refuge; one portion includes Lake Lowell and its surrounding area, while the second includes the Snake River islands. The Refuge engages in wildlife conservation projects and has a visitor center where you can learn more about the Refuge.

Less than one hour from Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is Givens Hot Springs, which is located in the southwestern corner of Idaho on the Snake River. The site had been visited for some 5000 years by Native Americans and was settled in 1879, at which point it became popular to bathe and swim in and became a stop for those on the Oregon Trail.

The town of Givens Springs was settled by Milford and Martha Givens, and William H. Dewey recommended building a hotel and resort at Givens Hot Springs in 1900. Ultimately, a hotel was built in 1903 by Martha Givens’ second husband, Gustavus F. Yanke, though it was not rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 1939. Both RV and tent camping are available for visitors to the hot springs.

About an hour and a half from Givens Hot Springs is Rome, Oregon, where you can check out the Pillars of Rome. Popular among photographers and nature enthusiasts, the Pillars of Rome are rock formations where light is reflected in multiple ways. The community of Rome got its name from the tall rock formations that are made of fossil-bearing clay that resemble ruins from Rome.

The formations are 100 feet in height and run about five miles in length and two miles in width. When the pioneers were traveling along the Oregon Trail, the Pillars of Rome were a landmark that brought memories of ancient Rome. The community of Rome is not just known for these rock formations; it is also an entry point for white water rafting down the Owyhee River, a trip which will take you through gorgeous canyons and offer views of wildflowers and wildlife.

This historic railroad and ranching town offers Western heritage, excellent RV services, and serves as Nevada's "Gateway to the Humboldt River Valley."

Winnemucca provides the largest service stop between Boise and Reno, featuring full RV amenities, restaurants, fuel, and shopping opportunities. The Humboldt County Museum showcases local history, including Basque culture, mining heritage, and the famous Winnemucca Kid legend.

The town serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby recreation areas, including Rye Patch State Recreation Area for fishing and boating. Several RV parks offer full hookups and amenities, while the historic downtown provides dining and shopping opportunities. The area's elevation of 4,300 feet provides comfortable summer temperatures.

An hour and a half from Winnemucca is Lovelock Cave, the location of your next stop. This North American archaeological site is approximately 150 feet long and 35 feet wide. The Cave is considered one of the Great Basin region’s most important sites due to its conditions, which are good for preserving both organic and inorganic material. In 1984 the cave earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places and was the first major cave in the Great Basin to be excavated.

Before immigrants came to the area, it was home to the Northern Paiute American Indians, who used the Cave as a sacred place and stored many ancient artifacts. The drive to the Cave is about 20 miles from Lovelock and visitors can take marked trails to the Cave and experience it and its surrounding area.

This dramatic 500-foot-deep canyon carved by the Snake River offers spectacular views, adventure activities, and the famous site of Evel Knievel's 1974 motorcycle jump attempt.

Located 90 miles southeast of Boise via a scenic detour, Snake River Canyon provides one of Idaho's most iconic natural landmarks. The Perrine Bridge offers stunning viewpoints accessible to all RV sizes, while Shoshone Falls—often called the "Niagara of the West"—provides dramatic 212-foot cascades during peak flow seasons.

Popular activities include BASE jumping (for the extremely adventurous), hiking along canyon rim trails, and exploring the visitor center's exhibits about local geology and history. The Twin Falls area offers excellent RV services and campgrounds, making it a perfect overnight stop before continuing toward Nevada.

Eastern Oregon's vast high desert landscape showcases endless horizons, unique geological formations, and authentic Western ranch country rarely seen by casual travelers.

This often-overlooked region between Boise and Nevada provides a genuine taste of the American West with rolling sagebrush plains, distant mountain ranges, and wide-open skies. The area offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including pronghorn antelope, wild horses, and numerous bird species.

Small towns like Vale and Ontario provide essential services and glimpses into rural Oregon life. The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City (slight detour north) offers historical context for this significant migration route. This section serves as a peaceful transition between Idaho's mountains and Nevada's desert basins.

This tiny border town, straddling the Nevada-Oregon line, offers an authentic Western atmosphere, historical significance, and serves as a perfect midpoint rest stop.

McDermitt provides a genuine taste of Nevada's ranching heritage with its population of fewer than 400 residents. The town features basic services including fuel, food, and lodging, making it an ideal lunch stop or overnight rest point. The surrounding landscape showcases classic Great Basin scenery with sage-covered hills and distant mountain ranges.

Historical markers tell the story of the area's Native American heritage and early settlement period. The town serves as a gateway to numerous back-road explorations for those interested in Nevada's hidden corners and off-the-beaten-path hot springs.

This stunning desert lake, sacred to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, offers otherworldly beauty with pyramid-shaped tufa formations rising from brilliant blue waters.

Located 35 miles northeast of Reno, Pyramid Lake provides a dramatic finale to the desert crossing. The lake's unique chemistry creates stunning blue and green colors that change with lighting conditions, while ancient limestone formations create an almost alien landscape.

Fishing for Lahontan cutthroat trout attracts anglers from around the world, while the lake's beaches offer swimming and photography opportunities. The visitor center provides cultural and natural history information. Note that tribal permits are required for lake access, available at local stores and the ranger station.

Nevada's "Biggest Little City" offers urban amenities, entertainment, and serves as the gateway to Lake Tahoe's alpine recreation, just 45 minutes away.

Reno provides the perfect conclusion to your desert journey with its combination of entertainment, dining, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The city's location at 4,500 feet elevation provides comfortable year-round temperatures and serves as a launching point for Sierra Nevada adventures.