Pahrump is a unincorporated town in Southern Nevada about 60 miles (100 km) west of Las Vegas, near the Nevada-California border. It is a commuter town for Las Vegas. Its population in 2019 was 29,000, and it is the tenth largest city in Nevada.

Understand

History

Pahrump was first inhabited by the Southern Paiute. It was slowly inhabited by European settlers in the late 19th century. They reportedly chose the name for Pahrump after the original Southern Paiute name Pah-Rimpi, or "Water Rock," so named because of the abundant artesian wells in the valley. Because of the artesian wells, the new inhabitants of Pahrump Valley began large ranch-style holdings, mostly over 1,000 acres (4 km²) in size. On the ranches, alfalfa and cotton were grown, and livestock were raised.

Since the late 1970s, Pahrump has had steady growth, increasing from about 2,000 residents in 1980 to 22,000 in 2017. Pahrump is an archetypal example of an exurb. Almost all significant agriculture has ended in the valley, and the surface aquifers have been drained over the years.

Climate

Pahrump
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       0.7     58 30       0.9     62 34       0.6     69 40       0.3     76 46       0.2     85 55       0.1     95 63       0.4     101 70       0.4     99 67       0.3     93 59       0.3     81 47       0.4     67 36       0.6     57 29 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       18     14 −1       23     17 1       15     21 4       7.6     24 8       5.1     29 13       2.5     35 17       10     38 21       10     37 19       7.6     34 15       7.6     27 8       10     19 2       15     14 −2 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Summers in Pahrump are generally hot and dry, with occasional pushes of monsoonal moisture beginning in early July. Being at a similar elevation to Las Vegas, daytime highs in summer average within a few degrees of Las Vegas. Record highs are similar between the two cities as well. A typical day during June through August brings temperatures around 100 °F (38 °C), and occasionally 110 °F (43 °C). Nighttime temperatures, however, are noticeably cooler. This is due to the lack of an urban heat island in Pahrump, allowing for intense radiative cooling after sundown. As a result, summer nights are pleasantly warm, bottoming out in the mid-60s or 70s (F). Pahrump's location in a valley leads to large diurnal temperature ranges, typically 30 °F (−1 °C) but occasionally 40 °F (4 °C). By late August and early September, the sweltering summer heat noticeably tempers down. September is the gateway to fall, which brings very pleasant weather. October highs are generally 80 °F and nighttime temperatures in the 50s.

Like other locations in the Mojave desert, winters are typically mild, with occasional pushes of cold air from the north. Daytime highs average from the mid-50s and 60s, but low temperatures hover around freezing for most nights between December to February. Spring brings pleasantly warm temperatures and cool evenings. Like other locations in the Mojave desert, this is the windiest time of year. Snowfall is rare in Pahrump, but there is generally at least one snow day per year.

Get in

By car

From Las Vegas head west to Nevada State Route 160, known as Blue Diamond Road within the Las Vegas area, with the remainder referred to as the Pahrump Valley Highway.

By bus

Greyhound has a daily bus service from Los Angeles, taking just over eight hours.

By plane

The nearest airport with regularly scheduled flights is in Las Vegas, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS ^IATA), approximately 60 mi (97 km) (about an hour drive) east of Pahrump.

A private airport, Calvada Meadows Airport, also serves Pahrump, however, aircraft must request permission before landing at this small airport.

Get around

Pahrump Valley Transportation is the only public transportation in Pahrump. It runs by appointment, and offers transport to some destinations in Las Vegas. Pahrump has taxi service operating 24 hours a day.

See

There are several parks, wineries, at least one museum, and a community pool. Events throughout the year are held in the town parks, including free movies in the park, Pow Wows, craft fairs and seasonal festivals.

Parks and outdoors

• 1 Petrack Park, 150 NV-160 (corner of NV-160 and E. Basin Avenue), ☏ +1 775-727-5107. The largest park in Pahrump that includes the community pool, tennis courts, basket ball court, a multi-use field with horse facilities, a community center adjacent, a playground with slides, swings, etc., a large parking lot and public bathrooms. (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 Pahrump Community Pool, 150 NV-160, ☏ +1 775-727-5107. May-Sept: 7AM-6PM. (updated Oct 2017)

Wineries

• 3 Sanders Family Winery, 3780 E Kellogg Rd, ☏ +1 775 727-1776. (updated Jan 2018)

Museums

• 4 Pahrump Valley Museum, 401 E Basin Ave, ☏ +1 775 751-1970. (updated Jan 2018)

Do

• 1 PrairieFire, 1 PrairieFire Road, ☏ +1 702837-7433. Learn to handle any firearm like a professional. 

• 2 Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club, 4767 S Highway 160, ☏ +1 775 727-6363, toll-free: +1-800-391-6891, info@racespringmountain.com. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa Su 8AM-̩4PM (office closed Sa Su). (updated Sep 2020)

Gambling

If you win... Chances are if you win it big in Pahrump and you are a foreigner you will get dinged by the IRS 30% withholding tax. That $10,000 slot winning can dwindle quite quickly if that is taken off the top. Not to worry though you can reclaim your gambling winnings tax through a 1042-S form. You should get this from the casino, and don't lose it: it is your starting ticket to getting your gambling winnings back.

Opportunities to gamble are plentiful in Pahrump. It is state law that all gamblers must be at least 21 years of age. Even if you are at least 21 years old, you are required to bring to the casino a valid ID that shows your current age or complete date of birth (e.g. driver's license, passport) as proof of your age. Photocopies of valid IDs are usually not considered valid. In-house security makes rounds of inspections to check compliance. If you are under age or without a valid ID to prove your age and found in the gambling premises, hotel staff will ask you to leave, and could ask the metro police to issue you a citation. Moreover, underage gamblers cannot collect any jackpot; such bets are void and the casino will at best return your wager before asking you to leave the premises. There is a curfew for anyone under the age of 18 and police are comfortable transporting violators to a juvenile center.

• 3 Lakeside Casino, 5870 Homestead Rd, ☏ +1 775 751-7770, toll-free: +1 188 558-5253. (updated Oct 2017)
• 4 Gold Town, 771 S Frontage Rd, ☏ +1 775 751-7777. (updated Oct 2017)
• 5 Pahrump Nugget, 681 South Highway 160, ☏ +1 866 751-6500. (updated Oct 2017)
• 6 Saddle West Hotel and Casino, 1220 Nevada 160, ☏ +1 800 433-3987. (updated Oct 2017)
• 7 Irene's Casino, 820 East St, ☏ +1 775-727-5211. A small, budget casino. (updated Oct 2017)

Buy

• Red Apple Fireworks, 3640 NV-160, ☏ +1 775-727-7200. 9AM-9PM. (updated Sep 2020)

Eat

• 1 Mom's Diner, 1240 State St #100, ☏ +1 775-751-9929. (updated Oct 2017)
• 2 Chatthai Bistro, 421 S Frontage Rd #1, ☏ +1 775-537-7227. Open 11am-9pm, Closed Monday. Cozy Thai restaurant with some creative dishes and a good peanut sauce. (updated Apr 2018)

Sleep

Pahrump has hotel-casinos, hotels and RV parks to accommodate most travelers.

• 1 Best Western Pahrump Oasis, 1101 NV-160, ☏ +1 775-727-5100. (updated Oct 2016)
• Wine Ridge RV Resort & Cottages, 3800 Winery Rd., ☏ +1 775-751-7805. (updated Oct 2017)
• 2 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pahrump, 861 S Highway 160, ☏ +1 775 727-9100, toll-free: +1 877 859-5095. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jan 2018)

Go next

• Las Vegas
• Death Valley National Park

Routes through Pahrump

Ends at N S ←	NW  SE	→ Las Vegas → END
Death Valley N.P. ← Shoshone ← Becomes ←	W  E	→ END