I think the “middle of nowhere” is the best part of road trips

Everyone loves road trips. You set out on the road, often to see something spectacular. It could be a national park, it could be another city. 

The Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. 

Those places are all great, but it’s the spaces in between the highlights that offer the best experiences.

It’s where you find lesser-known sites that are awesome in their own right. Unique small towns that make up for in character what they lack in population. People are often friendlier in small towns, too. 

On my travels through the American West, I’ve encountered many “middle of nowhere” places with big charm. Places where, under the right circumstances, “nothing” has become extraordinary. 

These are the reasons why you should aim for the “middle of nowhere” on your travels:

Lesser-Known Attractions are Often Worth Visiting

📍 Big Dune, Nevada  – Rolling Dunes & A Magnetic Draw

Big Dune, Nevada sits a stone’s throw over the border from Death Valley. 

It might not catch most people’s eyes, but for me, it has a magnetic draw. The usual roadside fare of billboards, truck stops, and frequent roadsigns feels lightyears away out here. 

There are a few signs, but the vastness of the landscape swallows them up.

I first came to Big Dune on a rainy, foggy day in Nevada. Weather that is rare for these parts. Clouds covered the skies and mist shrouded the horizon. The wind blew the rain sideways. It felt like I’d strayed into some other world. Not quite Arrakis, given the rain, but not quite Earth either.

Subsequent travels brought me back to Big Dune after a long day on the road. The rolling dunes offered a perfect place to get out, stretch, and enjoy the sunset from atop one of the larger dunes. 

Even after the fiery colors had subsided, the cold gray of the sky contrasted strikingly with the warm earth tones of the ground below.

You’ll Find Unique & Intriguing Places

📍 Tonopah – A Unique Small Town

Not too far from Big Dune is the town of Tonopah, Nevada. With a population of roughly 1500, it’s not a cosmopolitan metropolis by any stretch of the imagination. But, that is part of its charm.

Tonopah is situated beneath a cluster of hills in the rolling high desert of western Nevada. I first stopped in Tonopah to get gas after driving across that vast expanse at sunset. If you haven’t seen a desert sunset it needs to go straight to the top of your bucket list.

Tonopah began as a mining town, boomed, and then busted. In its wake, it left a wealth of Wild West atmosphere. The downtown area has several historic bars, restaurants, and stores.

The Mizpah Hotel maintains an old-timey atmosphere and is reportedly haunted. 

Tonopah is also home to a themed motel that, if you ask me, offers something far creepier than spectral spooks – clowns. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other, perfectly normal, places to spend an undisturbed night in Tonopah.

Under the Right Circumstances, “Nothing” Becomes Spectacular

📍 A Magical Utah Valley Sunset

Some of my favorite memories come from being in the right place at the right time. The right place would, to many, seem like nothing spectacular – just an empty valley on an obscure highway, for instance. 

One evening, I was traveling on just such an obscure highway (Route 56) in southwestern Utah, on my way to Nevada. I’d just crested a hill above a huge valley. The road ahead of me stretched in a straight line for 20 miles.

Being a Tolkien nerd, the vast vale made me think of the epic battle at the start of the trilogy (so, yeah, it looked like Mordor – but in a good way). To add to the evocativeness, the sun was starting to set. The first hint of gold was creeping into the evening light.

I drove a hundred feet down the road and pulled off to enjoy the view. 

The sunset wasn’t among the most vivid I’ve seen, but together with the sprawling landscape, it transformed the landscape into something magical.

You’ll Find Awesome Places to Take a Break

📍 The Outskirts of Helena, Montana

Right outside Helena, Montana, the Missouri River widens out into what looks more like a lake.

A variety of campsites line the lakeshore, offering everything from established spots to “do-it-yourself” dispersed camping.

I’d intended to camp overnight by the banks of the river but encountered a few delays. Plus, by the time I reached Helena, it was already dark and starting to rain. A cold, rainy night without a campfire is hardly ideal, so I spent the night at a hotel.

The next day, though, I had time to spare, so I set out for my erstwhile campsite.

It was a weekday in October so the area was empty of other people. I pulled up to the shore and enjoyed a short break, cooking lunch over a campfire. 

It was just me and the epic landscape, with the nearest soul being, maybe, a few thousand feet further down the shore.

You’ll Find Friendly People in Small Towns

📍 Small Town Wyoming Hospitality

Other travels throughout the American West took me to Wyoming. 

I was on my way to San Diego for a friend’s wedding. There aren’t many towns in southwestern Wyoming, and the ones that are there are all tiny.

I needed a place to stay for the night (I didn’t have the energy to push on to Salt Lake City), so I settled in Rock Springs, Wyoming. I checked into my hotel and then set out to find a place to wind down the day. I wound up at Square State Brewing.

It was a cozy place, a village watering hole. The staff and locals were super friendly and probably a little surprised to see an out-of-towner on a weekday. 

We had some great conversations, which, if you ask me, are the best part of any establishment. I’m more of an introvert, so I’ll take a pint or two and several shared stories over the coolest crowds and the hippest DJs any day.

There are Hidden Gem Establishments

📍 My Favorite Selah, Washington Establishment

Speaking of local watering holes, the town of Selah, Washington has another of my favorite haunts.

The Outskirts Brewing Co is a newer establishment with the motto “First Class for the Working Class.” It lives up to the motto, offering some great grub and drinks to local clientele. 

Dishes range from hearty burgers to exquisite steaks and halibut. The house beers are brewed by some of the talent that created such noteworthy brews as Fremont’s Lush IPA and Silver City’s Tropic Haze. They’ve also got some great malt-forward beers, too.

The Outskirts has a huge patio and backyard area for a small-town brewery. In summer, weekly concerts are held featuring country, rock, blues, and other all-American genres.

As far as towns in Washington go, it’s one of my favorites.

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Have you found any hidden gems on your road trips or “empty” places that suddenly became something special? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Although I love going off the beaten path, I’ve learned to embrace more popular destinations, too. Read that article next!