Goodsprings Pioneer Saloon Las Vegas Day Trip

Goodsprings, Nevada, was once a bustling gold mining town located 25 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Nowadays, the Pioneer Saloon is the only remaining bar from that era, where once there were seven bars. One of the town’s few remaining buildings is the Goodsprings Schoolhouse, built in 1913 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Goodsprings still has a population of around 200, mostly retired individuals.

History of Goodsprings Nevada

In 1918, Goodsprings was a bustling town with over 800 people and the center of the most productive mining districts in Clark County. Local mines produced lead, silver, copper, zinc, gold, and silver. The Keystone mine was the most successful, producing over $7 million of gold. On the hill east of the Pioneer Saloon, the footings for the Keystone Gold Mine are still visible.

In its heyday, Goodsprings boasted stores, saloons, a post office, a school, and a grand hotel. The Yellow Pine Mining Company opened a narrow-gauge railroad in 1911 to move zinc minerals to Goodsprings Junction, now called Jean. The zinc minerals were then transferred to the Union Pacific Railroad to be shipped to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The narrow-gauge rails were taken up in 1934, but the berm remains visible in a few places.

Like many other booming towns, Goodsprings experienced a thriving economy. However, the mines were eventually depleted, and by the 1950s, the city had turned into a ghost town with only a few permanent residents left. With the recent hike in gold prices, there has been a renewed interest in the surrounding hills, but the historic western Saloon remains the main attraction to the area.

Goodsprings Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon was built between 1912 and 1915. The Old Western Bar is a popular day trip destination from Las Vegas, especially on weekends, featuring live entertainment. The Saloon has been operating continuously, except for six years between 1954 and 1960. The Pioneer has had several different owners until the current owner purchased the establishment in 2021.

The Pioneer Saloon consists of two buildings—the smaller one, previously the Goodsprings Cafe, has been rebranded as the General Store. Guests 21 and under must enter the property through the General Store. The Saloon entrance is for ages 21 and above only. The store sells an assortment of souvenirs and t-shirts, with the top seller being a T-shirt, “Where The Hell Is Goodsprings.” A 1950s-style soda and malt counter is planned for visitors with families.

The Saloon is open daily and features a full bar and kitchen. The bar area inside the Pioneer Saloon is adults-only and has a cherrywood bar, slot machines, and an original poker table. Also inside the bar is a memorial with photos from celebrity visitors and a tribute to Clark Gable and his wife, Carole Lombard, who was killed in a plane crash in the nearby mountains.

Visiting the Pioneer Saloon

The crowd at the Pioneer Saloon tends to be bikers (not the rowdy gang type) but everyday folk who enjoy riding their Harley-Davidsons. Whether or not you own a motorcycle, everyone is welcome to visit Goodsprings, Nevada.

Things to See in GoodSprings

While in town, take a quick driving tour around the Goodsprings. A few of the original buildings still stand, but most are just piles of lumber. The local history society has published a walking tour guide with historical points of interest. However, most of them are on private property. They include the school, yellow pine mill cottage, post office, 1905 Robbins family home, and cemetery.

Goodsprings Trails

The Goodsprings hiking trail system consists of three interconnected trails. The longest trail is 2.5 miles long and partially follows the Yellow Pine Mine Railroad grade. The trail is mostly gravel with desert plants and provides scenic mountain views. Additionally, there are several mining artifacts and railroad ties along the route. Once you’ve completed your hike, you can cool off with an ice-cold drink from the Pioneer Saloon.

Where to the Pioneer Saloon

Goodsprings is located about a 30-minute drive from Las Vegas and is a world apart from the bright neon lights of the strip. To reach the town, take I-15 to Jean and then go west 7 miles on SR 161 to Goodsprings. If you are coming from or leaving for Southern California, visiting the Pioneer Saloon is a great side trip from I-15. You can find the Pioneer Saloon on your right as you enter the town. Its address is 310 W Spring St, Goodsprings, Nevada. The Saloon is open 24 hours every day. The Pioneer Saloon hosts biker rallies, live bands, events, and weddings.

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