Set at roughly 6,400 feet in Nevada’s Great Basin, Ely offers a distinctive mountain-town lifestyle framed by the Egan and Schell Creek ranges, sagebrush valleys, and exceptionally dark skies. Known for its copper-mining and railroad heritage, colorful downtown murals, and four-season outdoor access, Ely combines essential regional amenities with a relaxed, close-knit character. Its open landscapes and historic identity make it an appealing setting for thoughtfully designed primary residences, family homes, and high-desert retreats.
Why People Are Building In Ely, NV
Mosscreek, the Right Designer
Building a MossCreek designed home creates the perfect way to live in harmony with your surroundings. Every home is designed to fit carefully within its natural setting while offering the best in contemporary living. See “Custom Design” in our menu above to learn more about us and how we can help you realize a MossCreek designed home.
Finding a Builder
MossCreek has a network of builders that we regularly work with and would be glad to introduce you to them. We are also happy to work with the builder of your choice.
Build Here for Scenic Beauty and More
People are building homes in Ely for its mountain views, attainable space, uncrowded setting, and access to some of eastern Nevada’s most memorable public lands. The area attracts families, professionals, retirees, and recreation enthusiasts who value historic neighborhoods and proximity to hiking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, skiing, and off-highway travel. From in-town lots to foothill acreage, Ely offers varied settings for custom homes designed around high-elevation seasons, views, and indoor-outdoor living.
Nearby Natural Gems:
Fishing
Ely provides convenient access to productive high-desert fisheries, where anglers pursue trout, bass, and northern pike in nearby lakes, reservoirs, and mountain waters.
Fishing resources and regional guides:
- Nevada Department of Wildlife Fishing
- White Pine County Outdoor Recreation
- Nevada Fishing Trip Planner
Popular fishing locations:
Museums and Galleries
Ely’s museums, murals, galleries, and cultural institutions interpret eastern Nevada’s Indigenous, mining, railroad, ranching, and Western heritage.
Highlights include:
Hiking
With access to sagebrush hills, pinyon-juniper forests, mountain lakes, and extensive public lands, Ely offers outstanding hiking and mountain-biking opportunities.
Popular hiking trails:
- Cave Lake Trails: Mountain routes with lake, forest, and high-desert views.
- Garnet Hill Recreation Area: An accessible rockhounding and hiking destination northwest of Ely.
- Ward Mountain Trails: Forested routes for hiking, biking, and seasonal recreation.
- Great Basin National Park Trails: Alpine lakes, ancient bristlecone pines, and challenging mountain terrain.
- Ely Trail Network: Convenient local routes through Ice Plant Canyon and nearby foothills.
Shopping
Ely offers a mix of independent boutiques, outdoor retailers, antique stores, gift shops, galleries, and practical local shopping.
Top shopping destinations:
Restaurants
Ely’s dining scene blends longtime local favorites with contemporary cafés, casual grills, steakhouses, and restaurants that reflect the city’s Western character.
Standout restaurants:
Where People Are Building In Ely, NV
Where People Build in the Ely Area
Set among mountain ranges and open high-desert valleys, Ely offers a distinctive combination of outdoor access, regional services, and year-round eastern Nevada living. Known for its railroad heritage, historic downtown, and nearby trail systems, Ely attracts homeowners seeking space, recreation, views, and community. Whether you are drawn to established streets, East Ely’s historic character, or foothill parcels, the city provides a memorable setting for a custom home shaped by the Great Basin landscape.
Developments in and Around Ely
New Developments
- New Homes in Ely: Contemporary construction opportunities near established services and residential streets.
- Murry Canyon and Foothill Parcels: Homesites near open space and the city’s western and southern edges.
Growing Neighborhoods
- Central Ely: Established neighborhoods near downtown restaurants, murals, parks, and schools.
- East Ely: Historic residential areas near the railway district and community amenities.
Other New Construction Opportunities
- Custom Foothill Homesites: Build around mountain views, privacy, solar orientation, and outdoor living.
- Ely Outlying Parcels: Opportunities near open space and the city’s developing residential edges.
Choosing A Location
- For mountain and valley views: Consider elevated foothill or Murry Canyon-area homesites.
- For privacy and space: Look for custom homesites along the city’s eastern and southern edges.
- For convenience: Central Ely offers easy access to parks, shops, schools, and restaurants.
- For historic character: East Ely offers established streets near the Nevada Northern Railway district.
Where People Build in Surrounding Areas
Within the surrounding areas of the city of Ely, eastern Nevada offers additional opportunities for custom homes, rural acreage, small-town living, and mountain retreats.
Communities and towns to consider include:
- Ruth, NV
- McGill, NV
- Lund, NV
- Cherry Creek, NV
- Lane City, NV
- Kimberly, NV
- Majors Place, NV
- Preston, NV
A range of custom homesites, established neighborhoods, rural acreage, and mountain communities is available throughout the surrounding region for full-time or retreat living.
