Jackpot: Recreation, History and Hotels

Jackpot combines casino entertainment and a distinctive local history with outdoor activities. As you plan your stay, you can choose between events, sports and nature destinations: a concert in a warmer month offers a different experience from a hike or a trip to a nearby destination. The town’s origins also give the name Jackpot a specific historical background.

Casino Entertainment and History

Cactus Petes Resort Casino in Jackpot, Nevada, offers entertainment and events, including concerts and an on-site Cabaret Lounge. The resort casino has a 4,000-seat amphitheater where music events take place during the warmer months. If a concert is important to your plans, check the event dates before your trip.

The history of gambling in Jackpot dates back to 1954. After Idaho banned all forms of casino gambling, Pete Piersanti and Don French moved their slot machine business south of the border and opened Cactus Petes and the Horseshu Club. The town’s history continues in the settlement’s changing name: in May 1958, Elko County recognized the unincorporated community of “Horse Shu,” with 65 residents. A month later, it was renamed “Unincorporated Town No. 1”; later, the clubs agreed on the name Jackpot. Thus, the history of the casinos and the development of the town’s name are closely connected in time, without requiring a later year.

Sports and Outdoor Recreation

Jackpot Golf Club is an 18-hole championship golf course built in the early 1970s. Charlie’s Park has a sports complex with baseball and soccer fields. It also has horseshoe pits, a playground, covered picnic tables and an outdoor basketball court. The facilities therefore cater to ball and field sports as well as play and picnics. Hiking is another outdoor recreation option in Jackpot.

Jackpot also has a fully fenced, off-leash dog park. It features a grassy area and covered seating. The Jackpot “National” Forest also offers a place to stop with a pet: this tree-covered spot is within the city and is suitable for stopping, picnicking or stretching your legs on the way to another Nevada adventure. The low light pollution in Jackpot also offers opportunities for stargazing. So, alongside daytime activities, observing the night sky can also be one of your interests during your stay.

Nearby Destinations and the Route to Jarbidge

Near Jackpot, the Jarbidge Wilderness Area offers fishing, hiking, hunting and backcountry exploration. Also nearby, the Salmon Falls Creek Special Recreation Management Area provides limited access to Salmon Falls Creek and opportunities for basic, undeveloped camping. The limited stream access and basic camping distinguish this area from the recreational offerings in town. If you include these destinations in your plans, be sure to account for the limited access.

Jackpot is also a supply stop for fuel and provisions on the highway route to Jarbidge, which follows the Rubies Route. This role makes the town a landmark for travelers on the route; it is distinct from the recreational offerings within the city and destinations in the surrounding area. Depending on whether you primarily want to plan for events, sports, stargazing or backcountry activities, these different sides of Jackpot can determine the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Wells, Elko, Mountain City, Carlin.

For the broader travel overview: Elko County.