Northern Nevada: A Cinematic Road Trip Through Time, Mountains and Desert Landscapes
Written By: Kristie Holliday, Film Nevada Locations Coordinator
Virginia City: The Old West, Mining and Trains Galore
Leaving the sandy beige landscape of Southern Nevada, I couldn’t wait to trade desert tones for the greens and blues of the north. When the plane landed, I practically hit the ground running—straight to the shuttle, then the rental car, then a 7-Eleven for donuts and Earl Grey tea. Fueled up, I headed east on I‑80 toward Virginia City.
Once out of Reno and into the rural hills, the 35‑minute drive was full of twisting roads and jaw-dropping views. I pulled over several times just to take in the scenery. The final curve announced my arrival in Virginia City perched around 6,000 feet on the eastern slopes of the Virginia Range, where the spirit of the Old West still lingers. 
At the V&T Railroad, I met Thomas Gray, the owner and manager. With kind eyes and a friendly smile, Thomas became my guide for the day, showing me everything: mines, tunnels, shafts, rail yards, churches, cemeteries, Main Street icons like the Bucket of Blood Saloon and the Opera House, perfect for any western film.
His father, Robert Gray, rebuilt the V&T as a heritage line in 1976, and Thomas has kept the legacy alive with relentless passion.
Virginia City is a filmmaker’s dream: Western towns, mining backdrops, desertscapes, and of course, trains. As I headed down the mountain at sunset, I reflected on how some towns keep history alive, not by freezing time, but by honoring it. I can’t wait to return, especially to hang out with Thomas in a train yard again.
Yerington: Ranches, Rivers, and the Onion Capital of the West
The next morning, I enjoyed a peaceful 90‑minute drive from Lake Tahoe to Yerington. The route shifted from alpine forests to canyon rivers to high desert sagebrush and farmland. It looked like a Cowboy’s paradise: ranches, barns, mills, tractors, and even a flock of sheep that demanded a photo-op on the side of the highway (with sound effects).
In town, I met Interim City Manager Jerry Bryant and Main Street Committee Executive Director Melanie Young-Pinkerton. They toured me through Main Street, a grain silo, local ranches, farms, and period-era outbuildings straight out of history. Fun fact: Yerington is the onion capital of the West and honestly, they deserve a full Onion Festival and cook-off, which would make for a great scene in a Hallmark movie.
Yerington offers lush green fields, flat desert terrain, and the Walker River just south of town, perfect for filming in any season. I hope to return, especially for the Night in the Country Festival benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley. Jerry and Melanie were fantastic hosts, and the drive back filled me with nostalgia for simpler living. It’s the best setting for a prodigal-son story.
Carson Valley: Three Towns and Endless Possibilities
I was energized for my next stop: Carson Valley—including Gardnerville, Minden, and Genoa. As I entered Gardnerville, I felt the shift immediately: vibrant, busy streets surrounded by mountains.
I met Keith Lewis, Executive Director of Visit Carson Valley, and Josh Rudelbach, Destination Marketing & Data Strategist. Their office sits inside a beautifully preserved 1915 brick high school. I hopped into Keith’s very “cowboy” truck, and off we went. 
Gardnerville’s lively Main Street, Minden’s quaint charm, and Genoa’s historic appeal create an irresistible mix. Carson Valley has the rugged Western look but also lakes, rivers, and mountain scenery.
We visited the Minden Flour Milling Company and the Dangberg Home Ranch, whose time-capsule interior captivated me, especially the cast iron stove with six burners and three ovens. Then Keith took us into the Pinenut Mountains, where we encountered a full herd of wild horses. One was giving birth, and the herd formed a protective barrier around the mare. It was breathtaking and an incredible location for filmmakers.
Lunch at the Pink House in Genoa was delicious. We sat on the veranda discussing northern representation for film projects. Genoa, Nevada’s oldest settlement, has historic businesses like the Genoa Bar & Saloon and charming streets that feel like a beach town tucked into the Sierra foothills.
Leaving Carson Valley was hard. Each town was distinct, each cinematic. The drive back was filled with
deep reflection on small-town life versus city living, a question I’m still sitting with.
South Lake Tahoe: Event Centers, Ice Rinks, and Lakeside Beauty
Back in South Lake Tahoe, I visited Sue Barton, COO of Visit Lake Tahoe, and Juraj Sojka, Director of Tourism. Their Tahoe Blue Event Center office is housed inside a stunning mix of glass, stone, and wood like a modern mountain lodge. 
Sue toured me through film-ready interior spaces, office and meeting spaces, perfect for production offices to spread out. I also toured the ice rink. Juraj then drove me to Zephyr Cove’s beaches, campgrounds, and resort, plus the famous Edgewood Tahoe Resort. After returning to the Event Center, we swapped office swag, and Sue gifted me a ticket to my first-ever ice hockey match: the Tahoe Knight Monsters vs. the KC Mavericks. A very cool experience… literally and figuratively.
North Lake Tahoe: Boulders, Ski Slopes, and Lakeside Cinematics
On the final day, I drove to North Lake Tahoe, a new adventure for me. It’s quieter and less touristy than the south, with more of a peaceful, tucked-away feel.
I met Bart Peterson, Director of Sales for Lake Tahoe Travel. He took me up to one of his favorite overlooks (which he cycles to—wild). The panoramic lake view was incredible. At Diamond Peak Ski Resort, I imagined the green landscape covered in dreamy winter snow: a great Hallmark movie setting.
North Tahoe’s beaches are lined with giant boulders you can walk between, giving filmmakers unique opportunities for dramatic, cinematic scenes. After wrapping the tour, I took the long way back to Reno, feeling grateful and a little melancholy. As the plane descended back into Nevada’s familiar browns and beiges, I carried the greens, blues, and stories of the North with me.