If you're in search of an up-and-coming, perfectly sized town in Nevada to visit or to relocate to, then you're going to love Winnemucca. This small town has a population of fewer than 10,000 residents and is the county seat of Humboldt County.

Winnemucca is located in north-central Nevada, in an area that is generally rather rural. But, because I-80 passes right through town on its way to California and Utah, and the fact that US Highway 95 converges with that interstate after coming down from Oregon, residents and visitors to this area can always feel connected to the rest of the nation and the world in Winnemucca - despite being deep in the middle of Nevada.

It's truly the best of both worlds — this cozy little village is in the middle of everything and is, at the same time, a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the busiest spots in our nation. That's why the people who live there absolutely love it. You will, too.

Winnemucca certainly isn't a new town. This area was first occupied by beaver trappers around 1830, and people have lived in the settlement that later became Winnemucca ever since. By the 1850s, the growing town was home to a trading post and known as Frenchman's Ford; it got its current name in 1863 when it was named in honor of the local Paiute chief. When the Central Pacific Railroad arrived in Winnemucca in 1868, and when the town became a stop on the first transcontinental railroad the following year, it was clear that Winnemucca was there to stay - and stay, it has. Now, the California Zephyr Amtrak route provides daily service from the passenger service to San Francisco and Chicago.

Today, Winnemucca is a great place to live. The crime rate is low and the public schools are rated above average. The weather is pleasant; it can get quite hot in the summer, but there are well-defined seasons, too. It even snows a little most winters.

There are also plenty of things to do in the area, despite the city's small size. The Humboldt Museum, located in a modern brick building and several historic buildings, includes information on the history of the region; you'll find Native American artifacts dating back to 2000 BC there as well as more recent antiques left behind by Winnemucca's early white settlers. The Winnemucca Sand Dunes are just ten minutes north of town and are spectacular to view, and nature enthusiasts will also love the beauty of the nearby, forested, Water Canyon Recreation Area to the south. Numerous city parks like Riverview Park, Nixon Park, Pioneer Park, and Veteran's Memorial Park are also great stops during any visit.

Like many other towns in Nevada, you'll also find casinos in Winnemucca. These are smaller, less flashy establishments than those found in larger cities like Reno and Las Vegas. A variety of bars and restaurants also welcome residents and visitors, including the popular Butch Cassidy's Hole in the Wall dive bar; the famous outlaw and his gang robbed the local First National Bank in September of 1900. Ormachaea's Dinner House, El Capricho, The Martin Hotel, and The Griddle are other popular options for dining as well.

Winnemucca is about two hours from Reno and an hour and a half from Elko. Again, this small town in north-central Nevada is far from everything, yet not too far from anything at the same time. This little city is welcoming, friendly, and lovely every day, and while it's "up-and-coming," it's also likely that it won't get too big too quickly, either. Plan a visit today - you may just find that it's a new place you'd like to call home for many years into the future. Hooray for Winnemucca, Nevada - have a great trip!