What Is the Longest Mountain Range in Nevada? What Is the Longest Mountain Range in Nevada?

The Humboldt Range: Nevada's Longest Mountain Chain

The Humboldt Range is the longest mountain range entirely within Nevada (or straddling its border).

Key Details

• Length: ~85 linear miles (137 km).
• Location: Along the Nevada–Oregon border, just south of the Idaho tri-point.
• Counties: Humboldt, Elko, Eureka.
• Region: Northern Great Basin.
• Highest Peak: Star Peak – 9,836 ft (2,998 m).
• Geology: Fault-block range (Basin and Range Province); Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (limestone, shale, quartzite) thrust over younger units.

Context

• Named for the Humboldt River (which flows nearby, not through it).
• Part of a series of parallel NNE-trending ranges (Humboldt, East Humboldt, Ruby, Snake, Toiyabe, Toquima, Monitor, etc.).
• The Toiyabe Range (central NV) is longer *if* measured continuously, but is often split into North/Central/South sections; Humboldt is a single continuous crest.
• Not to be confused with the Humboldt River (longest river wholly in NV) or Humboldt County.

The Humboldt Range offers remote backcountry hunting, hiking, and mining history (Unionville, Star City ruins).