Free Range Art Highway Road Trip: A Dog-Friendly Nevada Adventure

If bold roadside art, wide-open desert highways, and wonderfully weird stops get your gears turning, the Free-Range Art Highway is the perfect dog-friendly road trip through Nevada. Running roughly 500 miles along US‑95 from Las Vegas to Reno, this route trades speed for curiosity, delivering colorful art installations, ghost towns, open-air museums, and quirky small towns where dogs are genuinely welcome.

This guide breaks the trip into easy-to-follow legs, highlighting pet-friendly attractions, restaurants, hotels, and outdoor stops so your pup gets just as much adventure as you do. All locations listed below allow leashed dogs, unless otherwise noted.

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Leg 1: Las Vegas to Beatty

 Seven Magic Mountains (Near Las Vegas)

A must-see desert art installation featuring seven towering stacks of neon-painted boulders. Dogs are welcome on leash. The ground is sandy and can get hot, so bring paw protection during warmer months.

Pro Tip: There is no shade here, so early morning visits are best to keep cool.

Amargosa Valley & Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Perfect for a leg-stretching break, Ash Meadows allows dogs on leashes six feet or shorter. Explore boardwalks over wetlands, enjoy wildlife viewing, or take a scenic drive through this surprisingly lush desert oasis.

 Rhyolite Ghost Town (Beatty)

This open-air ghost town is dog-friendly and easy to explore. Wander past the iconic bottle house, old bank ruins, and weathered structures that tell the story of a once-booming mining town.

Pro Tip: Nevada is very dry and hot. Be sure to have plenty of water for both you and your pet. We like these pet water bottles because they are easy for your pup to drink from and you can bring a couple of treats along.

 Goldwell Open Air Museum

Located near Rhyolite, this 15‑acre outdoor sculpture park features surreal and sometimes spooky art installations – including the famous pink brick lady. Dogs are welcome to stroll the grounds with you.

Eat & Stay in Beatty

Happy Burro Chili & Beer

A local favorite with dog-friendly patio seating. Known for hearty chili, cold beer, and laid-back vibes.

Atomic Inn Beatty (Near Death Valley)

Pet-friendly lodging welcoming two dogs of any size for a small fee. The property includes grassy areas for walks, rare in this part of Nevada.

Leg 2: Beatty to Tonopah (via Goldfield)

International Car Forest of the Last Church (Goldfield)

One of Nevada’s strangest roadside attractions, this outdoor art site features cars planted nose-first into the desert and painted in wild designs. Dogs are welcome to explore the grounds with you.

Explore Historic Goldfield

Park downtown or near the visitor center and walk the main street. Don’t miss Rocket Bob’s Art Cars parked near the Goldfield Chamber of Commerce.

Tonopah Historic Mining Park

A dog-friendly walking tour through a preserved mining site featuring tunnels, equipment, and historic buildings. Dogs are allowed both indoors and outdoors if leashed and well-behaved.

Heritage Park (Tonopah)

A pleasant community park blending mining history with colorful murals. Pet-friendly walking paths and a dog relief area make this an easy stop.

Tonopah Ghost Tours

Yes- your dog can join you. These guided walking tours visit iconic spooky sites including the Clown Motel, Mizpah Hotel, and Old Tonopah Cemetery.

Eat & Stay in Tonopah

Tonopah Brewing Company

Enjoy craft beer and comfort food on their dog-friendly patio.

Mizpah Hotel

Historic and pet-friendly, welcoming two pets of any size for a nightly fee. Tonopah’s dark skies also make for incredible stargazing, so be sure to take your pup for a stroll

Leg 3: Tonopah to Reno

 Walker Lake Recreation Area (Hawthorne)

A scenic stop with lake views, beaches, and space to stretch your legs. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout this expansive recreation area.

Lahontan State Recreation Area (Fallon)

Home to Lahontan Reservoir, this area offers miles of shoreline trails and frequent wildlife sightings. Leashed dogs are welcome, just keep an eye out for wild horses and other animals.

Reno: Art, Riverwalks & Dog-Friendly Fun

 Biggest Little Dog Park

A fenced off-leash dog park in downtown Reno with separate areas for large and small dogs.

 Truckee Riverwalk

Stroll along the river with your leashed dog while exploring shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

 US Ghost Adventures Reno

Another dog-friendly ghost tour option, covering haunted landmarks like The Lake Mansion and Washoe County Courthouse.

Eat & Stay in Reno

The Wild River Grille

Relax on the pet-friendly patio overlooking the Truckee River. A great spot for dinner or people-watching.

Whitney Peak Hotel Reno (Tapestry Collection by Hilton)

Pet-friendly hotel allowing two pets of any size per stay. Includes a nearby dog park and a welcome pet bag at check-in.

Final Thoughts: Why This Nevada Road Trip Is Perfect for Dog Lovers

The Free-Range Art Highway is ideal for travelers who love outdoor exploration, roadside art, history, offbeat destinations and for those who don’t want to leave their dog behind. With minimal crowds, open landscapes, and plenty of dog-friendly stops, Nevada proves that some of the best road trips are also the most pet-welcoming.

We love sharing tips and information we learn with you to help you when planning your next adventure. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.