Northern Nevada is home to the Cowboy Corridor road trip route stretching from Reno to West Wendover, but beyond the wide open highways and breathtaking desert landscapes, the region also boasts a vibrant Basque community with roots dating back to the mid-19th century.
The Basques, from northern Spain and southern France, first settled this rugged Nevada landscape more than a century ago, drawn by the gold and silver rushes. Today, their descendants continue to keep traditions and heritage alive through cultural celebrations, lively street festivals and restaurants serving traditional dishes made from recipes passed down through generations.
Here are five ways to experience Basque Nevada:
1. Feast the Basque Way
Basque dining in northern Nevada is all about hearty communal feasts, long shared tables and warm family-style hospitality. Across the region, historic Basque restaurants and boarding houses continue to serve traditional multi-course meals showcasing favourites such as lamb, chorizo, beans, fries, pasta and house-made desserts. Popular stops include:
- Louis’ Basque Corner – Since 1967, this has been one of Nevada’s best-loved Basque restaurants. Located in Reno, their specialty dish is the oxtail, braised then baked and served with a delicious thick brown sauce for dipping.
- Star Hotel – Built in 1910, this Elko establishment is rooted in Basque history, and you might even hear the language still spoken here. The Star has classic, hearty dishes, including lamb chops, homemade cabbage soup, and Basque beans. Their communal dining experience is a nod to the traditional Basque style of eating with shared family meals.
- Ogi Deli – Located in the heart of downtown Elko, offering a menu inspired by traditional Basque flavors like chorizo sandwiches, bilotza (lamb sandwiches), and a great selection of pintxos (small snacks).
- Martin Hotel – A staple in Winnemucca since the 1890s, the historic Martin delivers to-die-for lamb shanks, deep-fried sweetbreads and the famous Martin bread pudding, for a traditional Basque experience over lunch and dinner.
Northern Nevada’s Basque communities are connected by scenic highways, ranching towns and dramatic desert and mountain landscapes. Roadtrip the Cowboy Corridor and experience Nevada’s open roads, alpine backdrops and small-town Americana. Key destinations include:
- Reno – where urban energy meets Basque heritage. The city has a public art obsession, dynamic music scene, an impressive events lineup, and local-centric foodie landscape – spread across several distinct, walkable neighborhoods.
- Elko – a cowboy town known for its Basque roots. Northeastern Nevada’s largest town combines epic outdoor action, artsy vibes, and hands-on history. Colourful murals blanket old brick buildings that house buckaroo bars, art galleries, leather shops, museums, and more. It’s also home to the famous National Cowboy Poetry Gathering held every January. New accommodation to the area is Elkotel, a cosy base by the Ruby Mountains.
- Winnemucca – home to one of America’s strongest Basque communities. Billed as the “Friendliest Town in Nevada,” Winnemucca also has a rich buckaroo history, and all kinds of ways to enjoy the great outdoors.
- West Wendover – marks the beginning (or end) of the Cowboy Corridor road trip and promises history, outdoor adventures, and all kinds of fun. It’s also home to the giant neon cowboy Wendover Will, the town’s official landmark who has been welcoming (or bidding farewell) to travellers since 1952.
Throughout the year, Basque festivals bring northern Nevada towns to life with traditional dancing, music, parades, rural sports and community celebrations. Festival-goers can expect traditional costumes, accordion music, wood chopping competitions and authentic Basque food and drink. Annual events include:
- The National Basque Festival – held annually over the Fourth of July weekend in Elko. A fun celebration of Basque heritage featuring traditional dance performances, wood-chopping competitions and Basque cuisine.
- Winnemucca Basque Festival – held every June with traditional Basque games, jota dancing, Basque music, a parade, and traditional foods.
- Reno Basque Festival – typically held in July, it’s a vibrant celebration of Basque music, dance, and food. Enjoy spectating traditional Basque sports like weightlifting and wood chopping, or try a variety of Basque dishes. The festival also features live performances by Basque musicians and dancers.
4. Try Nevada’s Famous Picon Punch
Sample a glass of Picon Punch, a cultural staple throughout northern Nevada’s Basque communities. Made with Amer Picon, grenadine, soda water and brandy, the cocktail is the official state drink of Nevada and the signature-drink for visitors exploring the region’s Basque bars and restaurants.
Discover more about the Basque’s intriguing history in Nevada at the following cultural stops:
- National Monument to the Basque Sheepherder – located at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, the monument was created by Basque sculptor Nestor Basterretxea. The towering structure honours the Basque people and their long-standing tradition of sheep herding.
- Northeastern Nevada Museum – located in Elko, one of northern Nevada’s largest museums showcases a diverse range of exhibits exploring the deep connections between the people and the land, including the significant impact of Basque immigrants in the region.
- The Humboldt Museum – located in Winnemucca and home to an exhibit showcasing the Basque people who have lived in northern Nevada for more than a century.
- Jon Bilbao Basque Library – located on the University of Nevada’s Reno campus, this is the leading library on Basque subjects outside of Europe.
