10+ Remarkable Things to Do in Carson Valley NV

1. Fly High on a Glider Ride with Roaring NV

1142 Airport Rd, Minden, NV 89423, map

Until recently, flying on a glider wasn’t on our bucket list. We didn’t know anything about glider planes or how they worked. As we planned for our trip, we quickly learned that Carson Valley is rated as the best place in the US to fly gliders.

Our pilot Stefan told us about the amazing flights that people took in the area, including some record-breaking flights in the US.

In case you don’t know how a glider plane works, you start with a tow plane that brings you up to a high enough altitude. Then the tow cable is released and you glide. Experienced pilots know to read the drafts and ride the wind. During our flight, we saw Lake Tahoe and the entire Carson Valley.

It was a fun way to get an overview of the surrounding area we would be exploring in the next few days.

The engineless aircraft we rode in was built in 1964!

Local Tip: Although they have gliders that can seat two guests, like the one we did, we recommend doing your own flight. It gives you much more space to move around, and you get to sit in the front giving you a much better view of everything.

Photography Tip: Wear dark colors (and if possible, request early on for the pilot to wear dark colors too) so you have fewer reflections to deal with. I ended up photoshopping out most of the reflections.

See More: 101 Things to do in Nevada Bucket List

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2. Wild Horse Tour

On the other side of the valley, wild horses roam the hills. You can get a high clearance vehicle and try to navigate the dirt roads in search of them, but the area is massive and you can get turned around quickly. Instead, we wanted to focus on capturing photos, so we met up with a local guide Dwayne Hicks.

Dwayne has spent time with these horses since he was a kid. Even on the short drive over there, you could tell how much he loved these majestic animals. When we found our first band of horses, he told us more about how they interact and pointed out some of the horses that he’s been watching for over 10 years. He even narrated the horses interactions, which was entertaining for us.

Our favorite thing is that he’s a photographer himself. He knew exactly where to go for the shot. We could ultimately dictate where to go and how long to stay, but he was always able to suggest the best course of action.

Local Tip: You never know how close the horses will get, so it’s good to be prepared with a long lens. Most of my shots are with a 60-600mm lens. Sometimes you might be able to get away with a 70-200mm, but the longer the better.

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3. Explore the Historic Dangberg Home Ranch

1450 NV-88, Minden, NV 89423, map

During your visit to the Carson Valley, you’ll hear about a few prominent families in the valley that played a huge role in how it is now. Dangberg is one of them. 

The Dangberg Ranch dates back to the 1800s and has a ton of history packed into it. Because they kept a lot of their belongings, you get to see over 40,000 artifacts that they rotate through. Four generations of Dangbergs lived here all the way to the 1990s.

When you see volunteers or staff, ask them to tell you stories about the family and items. Don’t miss the pianos and the oldest, known to exist, pair of Levis in Nevada.

Local Tip: The ranch grounds are open seven days a week during daylight hours (as long as there isn’t a special event). Even if the gate is shut, it means there are cattle in the pasture. Just open it, park inside, and be sure to close the gate. A good rule of thumb at a ranch is to always leave the gate how you found it. You won’t have access to the buildings unless the staff is there, but there it’s still beautiful to see the exterior.

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4. Go Antiquing

1578 U.S. Hwy 395 N, Minden, NV 89423, map

If you love antiquing, you’ll find plenty of antique stores here. We stopped by the Red Barn Antiques because the building stood out to us. As we browsed, we learned that the family-owned business also saves and repurposes barn wood from old local barns. They take that wood and make them into furniture and decor.

One of the things I love about exploring the shops and restaurants is finding out the history of the buildings. The Red Barn Antiques store was originally a Blacksmith Shop, and the building was built in 1909. You’ll see a bunch of markings on the barn doors, which are actually cattle brands burned throughout the years.

Local Tip: If you find something you love there but don’t have space to pack it, they ship items as well.

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5. Golf in Carson Valley NV

1027 Riverview Dr, Gardnerville, NV 89460, map

Beautiful greens, mountains, rushing rivers, and giant cottonwood trees are just some of the landscapes you’ll find at one of four golf courses in Carson Valley. We didn’t have time to play a round, but we did spend time at the driving range and putting green. Needless to say, I’m rusty and Esther is not a fan of golf but came for the views.

Local Tip: The Carson Valley Golf Course also offers FootGolf on their course.

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6. Have a Traditional Basque Dinner

1426 US-395, Gardnerville, NV 89410, map

One of the best ways to experience Basque history is through a traditional Basque Dinner. It’s served family-style, and you will not leave hungry.

It includes soup, salad, strew, beans, fries, wine, coffee, and ice cream. Plus you get to choose one of 7-8 main entrees, which changes depending on the time of year.

If you really want to dive in, you can even share a table with strangers to get to know other locals or travelers. When you’re visiting, ask about the cowboy hats on the wall and money on the ceiling.

J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room is another building in town with a ton of history. In 1896, it was moved from Virginia City (can you imagine what it took to move entire buildings back then?). It became a sheepherder hotel, bar, and dining room. In 1955, it was taken over by the Lekumberrys and is still run by JB & Marie Louise today. We had the pleasure to meet Marie as she told us stories of growing up here.

Local Tip: Try a Picon Punch, one of the must-haves for a Basque dinner (like its name, it packs a punch). Also, ask about traditional wine + ice cream.

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7. Get a Drink at the Oldest Bar in Nevada

2282 Main St, Genoa, NV 89411, map

Enjoy a drink where Mark Twain, Ulysses S Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Clark Gable, and more have. The Genoa Bar and Saloon is known as Nevada’s Oldest Thirst Parlor and was built in 1853. It’s one of the few buildings in Genoa that wasn’t burned down in the 1910 fire.

We absolutely loved walking around to see all the history hung up on the walls. When we asked the bartender what his favorites were, he pointed out an original wanted poster from Abe Lincoln’s assassination and the single bra hanging on the wall that belonged to Raquel Welch.

Also, pictured below is Sue Knight who we mentioned earlier.

Local Tip: In the winter, the bar is heated by a beautiful wood stove and locals will bring in wood to keep it going.

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8. Mormon Station State Historic Park

2295 Main St, Genoa, NV 89411, map

Imagine making your way west with the promise of gold. After a long and treacherous journey with your last stop 500 miles away, you come across a log cabin with much-needed respite. Mormon Station became a vital stop on the California Trail and as more people settled in the area, eventually became the town of Genoa.

The museum tells you more about that history and you can see a bunch of artifacts. It costs $1 (children 12 and under are free) to go inside of the museum, but you can walk around the grounds and check out the historic stockade and wagon shed for free.

Local Tip: The large lawns and huge trees in the park are perfect for picnicking. Please be sure to dispose of your trash in the garbage cans so it doesn’t attract any unwanted wildlife.

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9. Check out the Art Galleries

1615 U.S. Hwy 395 N suite b, Minden, NV 89423, map

It’s easy to see why Carson Valley draws a lot of professional artists. The scenery is breathtaking! On top of that, you have the wildlife, history, and Old West feel. On our first day, we visited Prism Gallery to get some inspiration.

It was cool to see the work of local photographers, including the photographer who took us to see wild horses.

Local Tip: Not only can you enjoy the art inside, but the gallery is located in the Historic Wool & Flour Warehouse, which is cool to see in itself.

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10. Hike the Sierras

We usually try to fit in a hike on our trips, but ended up being too busy soaring through the sky, checking out the wild horses, and filling up on delicious food. Next time we visit, we’ll definitely hit the trails.

With 50+ miles of trails easily accessible, you can find a trail that fits your interest and fitness level. You can go out and hike on your own, or hire a guide to take you to the best spots. Many of the trails are shared, so you can mountain bike or go horseback riding too.

Local Tip: Stop by the Caron Valley NV Visitor Center to get the most up-to-date info or tips on where to rent gear.

Photography Tip: If you have no time to hike the Sierras, you can photograph the mountains with reflections on the roads running perpendicular to them. Our favorite ones were Muller Lane and Genoa Lane, but it depends on which farmers are flooding their fields.

See More: Our Day Hiking Essentials

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