The great outdoors is just outside your door in Lander County, home to sweeping vistas of desert and mountains, and some of the best recreational opportunities in the state.

With Interstate 80 and Highway 50 crossing the county, Lander is centrally located with easy access to the major population centers of Salt Lake City to the east and Reno-Tahoe to the west. The county seat of Battle Mountain, population 3,600, provides restaurants and shopping, quality schools, churches, a highly rated senior care center and hospital, local airport, and a small-town atmosphere where family life takes center stage.

Historic Austin, nestled against the Toiyabe Range in the central part of the county, offers outstanding mountain biking trails, with challenging mountain rides or easy loops for all ages. Austin’s mining history draws visitors to its preserved 19th century buildings, churches and mines. Though steeped in history, Austin is a modern town with shops, restaurants and charming bed and breakfast inns.

Kingston Canyon, a historic mining district, is a short 30-mile drive south of Austin. It is named after the Kingston Mine discovered in 1863 and was the location of a number of silver mines in the 1860s. Remnants of the mines are scattered throughout the canyon and one large stone mill can be seen across from the Kingston Lodge. The Kingston area hosts some of the best varied trout fishing in the state. Some of the most beautiful scenery in Lander County can be seen here, from the Kingston Canyon Creek Campgrounds to Groves Lake.

Kingston employers are mining, government (local and state) and self-employment. A large part of the population is retired.

Lander County’s economy is supported largely by mining and ranching. With the current mining boom, Lander County’s economy is among the best in Nevada, with low unemployment and the potential for unprecedented growth. Agriculture also plays a significant role in Lander County, where local ranchers produce high quality alfalfa and alfalfa seed.

Over 85 percent of Lander County is public land managed by federal agencies, making hunting and fishing, hiking and mountain biking abundant. South of Battle Mountain, the new Shoshone off-highway vehicle trail system takes four-wheelers through stunning desert and mountain landscapes. With a population of just under 6,000 and population density of 1 person per square mile, there’s plenty of room to spread out in Lander County.

Lander County’s communities come together every year for celebrations that include July 4th Austin Gridley Days, the Claim Jumpers Bike Festival, the Pony Express Open Road Rally, the Human Powered Race, Kingston Chukar Day, the Covered Wagon Days Trail Ride, the annual Basque Dinner and Picnic, the Performing Arts Crab Feed, the Community Christmas Celebration, the Lander County Fair, KVFD's St. Patrick's Day Dinner and the Chukar Tournament and Feed.