Major city · United States
Nevada CityNevada City, Montana
Give Nevada City half a day, not a night: the open-air museum takes 2–3 h, then sleep 1.5 mi away in Virginia City.
Nevada City is a preserved Montana Gold Rush town on Alder Gulch, 1.5 mi west of Virginia City on MT-287. Of its 108 buildings, 14 are original and the rest were moved here from the region. It is a museum stop, not a town with services: most travellers see it in 2–3 hours and sleep in Virginia City, Ennis or Alder.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Apr (museum closed, snow)
- Airports
- BZN · BTM
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Nevada City911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nevada City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are driving MT-287 at dusk (deer and free-range cattle), summer heat with little shade…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Montana Road Report (MDT)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 70 mi east by US-191 and MT-84/MT-287; the usual rental-car arrival.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or soda in the historic saloon$3–6
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum admission, adultWeekday discounts reported.$12
- Budget bedTent or RV site, a night, per personUS$20
- Mid-range bedCabin or historic hotel room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedCabin or historic hotel room, a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 70 mi east by US-191 and MT-84/MT-287; the usual rental-car arrival.) · BTM Bert Mooney Airport, Butte (Smaller field, about 65 mi northwest; fewer flights and cars.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nevada City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. MT-287 links Nevada City and Virginia City, 1.5 mi apart, and continues to Ennis and Alder. Both town sites are a few blocks long and are walked. A small train, the Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad, runs the 1.5 mi between the two towns in season.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Virginia City
goDoor to door: 10 min by car
Drive or walk MT-287, 1.5 mi; the seasonal shortline train also links the two towns
More open businesses, food and lodging; pair the two towns in one day.
Ennis
goDoor to door: About 40 min
MT-287 north by car
Food, fuel and Madison River access.
Bozeman
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-191/MT-84 by car
Bigger city with the Museum of the Rockies; too far for a casual return trip.
Butte
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
MT-287 and I-90 by car
Mining history and a full-service town; good wet-weather backup.
Yellowstone National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h to the gate
MT-287 south to West Yellowstone, then the park road
A separate trip; book park lodging well ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Virginia City (1.5 mi east)
The practical base: more lodging and food, walkable main street.
Ennis or Alder
Ennis is about 30 mi north on MT-287; Alder is a short drive west. Both are quieter and often cheaper in summer.
Rambling Moose Campground area
RV and tent sites near Virginia City, open May–Sep, with showers and laundry.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cabin or historic hotel room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Old Town Museum admission, adult2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| River of Gold gold-panning admission2 × US$10 | US$20 |
| Fuel, about 100 mi of local driving1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$275 per person per day, bed included | US$549 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; car and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Museum admission, adultWeekday discounts reported. | $12 |
| Museum admission, senior or child 4–11 | $10 |
| Gold-panning admission (includes a vial) | $10 |
| Coffee or soda in the historic saloon | $3–6 |
| Deli lunch in Virginia City or Ennis | $12–20 |
| Gallon of gasVaries by season. | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The museum is open Memorial Day to Labor Day only; outside that window the town site is closed to visitors.
- Food and lodging in Nevada City itself are very limited — plan meals and beds in Virginia City, Ennis or Alder.
- Summer afternoons are hot and shade is scarce; carry water.
- Cell coverage is patchy along Alder Gulch; download maps before you leave the highway.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Montana Road Report (MDT)
- 511
Pocket card
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Nevada CityNevada City, Montana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Montana Road Report511
Embassy
No consulates nearby; your country's embassy or consulate is in Denver or Seattle — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Nevada City → Virginia City by car: 1.5 mi, about 5 min
- Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad, Nevada City → Virginia City: seasonal, check the timetable and fare at the depot
- Nevada City → Bozeman by car: about 70 mi, 1 h 30 min
Say or show
- How much is admission? — How much is admission?
- Is the museum open today? — Is the museum open today?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- Do you take card? — Do you take card?
Rural Montana: many small businesses are cash-only or close early. Carry some cash.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nevada City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Apr (museum closed, snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Opening-hours and admission fixtures for the Old Town Museum and River of Gold, re-checked each May.
- Train timetable fixture for the Alder Gulch Shortline so the walk-vs-ride choice is concrete.
- Sleep inventory split: Virginia City, Ennis, Alder and campground, with summer sell-out dates.
- Winter closure banner so the page never sends readers to a locked gate.
Sources
Ask about Nevada City
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