Small town adventures lie in Paradise Valley
by Sara Angelopoulos, Outpost staff
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Most people, even Nevadans, have never visited Paradise Valley. In fact, most people have never heard of it. I was lucky enough to stumble on the valley about four years ago, when I began dating someone from there. It's one of Nevada's best-kept secrets.
The valley is out a ways, tucked between mountain ranges and surrounded by ranches. It is a place where someone can kick up their feet, enjoy the scenery and do just about anything stress-free.
To get to Paradise Valley from Reno, take Interstate 80 east to the Winnemucca exit. Take U.S. 95 north, then turn right on State Route 290. Paradise is about 40 miles north of Winnemucca and three hours from Reno.
Unlike the craziness of a big city, where everyone is hurrying to get somewhere, Paradise Valley lacks noise and chaos. It's the kind of place that can be summed up as having a fire station, a church, a bar, a post office, a park and a school. That's the whole town, save the houses where the valley's 236 residents live. To visitors like me and residents alike, it's comforting.
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Most of Paradise is ranches. Along State Route 290, cattle graze everywhere in large fields and sometimes in people's yards.
One thing that shocked me when I first started coming here was the number of tractors that you see on the highway and in town. When's the last time you saw someone driving a tractor down the highway in Reno.
One recent weekend in Paradise, I saw a man in a large tractor pull up to the store, buy something and drive home.
The town has its own flavor. The new fire station, built a couple of years ago, greets visitors as they enter town. Many old-fashioned homes line the main street. Some are occupied year round; others are get-away homes for Winnemucca residents.
 The bar gets ready for winter, while the deli gets ready to close. Photo by Sara Angelopoulos |
Two old churches stand at the front of town. At one, the Catholic Church, the parish priest only visits about once a month. Most residents commute to Winnemucca for religious services.
Further into town, an old building houses a bar and a deli. In the bar, people can view old pictures of Paradise when mining was prosperous and the town was booming. The deli, famous for its sandwiches and ice cream, is only open in the summer, when visitors are plenty. It's a popular place to hang out during town festivities. Next comes the first stop sign--actually the only stop sign in town. That's where the state route ends, and you're forced to go left or right. Turning left takes you to the old cemetery and the school. A right turn sends you over a bridge that leads to old buildings that existed during the mining years. Further down that road is Hinkey Summit, a peak where people enjoy the outdoors, and the old flour mill.
At the stop sign is a small, community-oriented grocery store. Class pictures of students at the school hang on the wall and children hang out watching TV or playing video games.
 Local children hang out in front of the grocery store. Photo by Sara Angelopoulos |
An interesting feature about Paradise is its still active two-room school. As a Winnemucca native, I went to different schools for elementary school, junior high and then high school. In Paradise, students stay in one classroom for first through third and fourth through eighth in another room. After eighth grade, students are given a graduation, and then sent to Winnemucca for high school.
They may leave the school, but it never really leaves them. About two years ago, the school held a reunion, inviting everyone who had ever attended classes there. Most of them came. That event was one of many that shows the spirit of community in Paradise Valley. While I was visiting in November, I went to the annual Christmas craft show. The local crafters get together in an old lodge hall to sell crafts that they spent all year making.
"I like to attend all the community functions in Paradise Valley," visitor Louise Frugoli of Reno said. "I always meet very friendly people."
Other events that draw the entire community together take place throughout the year. At the park, firemen put on a Father's Day barbecue that draws people by the thousands from all over. There's a craft show, races for all ages and the best tri-tips I have ever tasted.
The Miner's Chili Cookoff, in the late summer, pits miners from surrounding areas who vie for the best chili recipe.
And virtually every major holiday has its event. I recently went to the Halloween party at the school. When I arrived, I saw a parade of costumed children walking around the gym for a costume contest. After the contest, it was bingo time. The whole town was there, and everyone was having a great time playing bingo and eating homemade desserts.
For visitors who want to take in the community events and make a weekend of it, lodging is available. A bed and breakfast called Stonehouse Country Inn is about five miles before town on State Route 290. It lives up to its name in décor and atmosphere, not to mention food. On special occaisions or with advance notice, they'll serve a hearty meal in the dining room of the inn.
But the real draw of Paradise is outdoors. Enjoying the scenery is what I like to do best. Large trees surround the town and are a sight to see in the fall when leaves change colors and begin to fall.
 The two-room school houses 50 Paradise Valley students. Photo by Sara Angelopoulos |
"When we first moved here, we used to sit on our swing and watch the valley," Paradise Valley resident Glenda Deputy said. "We would watch the deer running and see wild turkeys."
The spring is also a beautiful time of the year, and the place to take it in is Hinkey Summit. Hinkey Summit is a popular spot for fishing and camping. Some people even have their own cabins there. At the top of the summit, you can see the whole valley, but the best part is seeing the flowers in bloom. The hills on the summit turn yellow once a year because so many yellow flowers bloom. The flowers don't bloom until usually early summer when the snow melts off the summit. It is a beautiful sight to see.
For those who like to do more than just look at nature, hunting is abundent. The locals guard their favorite hunting spots like treasure. My recent November visit coincided with the opening weekend of pheasant season, and everyone was eager to get outside.
But pheasant aren't the only game in town. Deer, geese, chukar, wild turkeys and other types of game are abundent.
Fishing and hiking are some other great outdoor activities. Small streams and a large creek called Martin Creek run throughout the town and local ranches. In certain seasons, the streams and creeks of Paradise Valley can be great for fishing.
Paradise Valley is a great place to get away and relax. Hunters, crafters, photographers, nature lovers or those looking for a piece of Nevada past will be glad they've discovered this part of hidden Nevada.
Posted Dec. 1, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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