The Chicken Ranch is one of the most well-known legal brothels in Nevada. Located just outside the town of Pahrump, about 60 miles west of Las Vegas, the Chicken Ranch has a long and storied history as part of Nevada’s legal sex trade.

A Brief History of the Chicken Ranch

The Chicken Ranch was opened in 1976 by Walter Plankinton as the closest legal brothel to Las Vegas. Plankinton wanted to locate the brothel as close to Sin City as legally allowed. However, he faced opposition from local law enforcement and other brothel owners in Nye County.

Plankinton originally opened the Chicken Ranch within the Pahrump town limits, where prostitution was illegal He was promptly arrested and convicted of violating town ordinances Undeterred, Plankinton simply moved the brothel a short distance, relocating it just outside the Pahrump town boundaries but still within Nye County.

After a lengthy legal battle, the Chicken Ranch was able to operate legally, having won a 1978 case in the Nevada Supreme Court affirming its right to do business. However, just months after the court victory, the brothel was burned to the ground in a suspected arson attack. Plankinton rebuilt with a new set of trailers and was open for business again in just 5 days.

The Chicken Ranch Today

Today, the Chicken Ranch operates on a 40-acre property along Homestead Road just outside Pahrump. The main house has 17 beds and the grounds also contain 3 themed bungalows for a more upscale experience.

Approximately 60 women work at the Chicken Ranch with 12-15 women living and working on-site at any given time. The women are independent contractors who set their own prices and services.

The ranch is adjacent to another famous Nevada brothel, Sheri’s Ranch. Together, these two brothels outside Pahrump form a legal Nevada sex trade mecca just an hour’s drive from Las Vegas.

Inside the Chicken Ranch

The Chicken Ranch provides a comfortable, welcoming environment for legal sex services. The ladies occupy individually decorated rooms throughout the main house and cottages. There is also a bar on-site for visitors who don’t want to enter the brothel itself.

The working women at the Chicken Ranch set their own rules, prices and services. Solicitation is not allowed outside the premises due to Nye County regulations. Inside, the ladies provide girlfriend experiences, erotic massages, and more within the legal parameters of a Nevada brothel.

As independent contractors, the women typically work shifts of two weeks or more at a time. Shuttles run continuously to transport customers and staff between the main Chicken Ranch brothel and the affiliated casino in Pahrump.

More Infamous Nevada Brothels

In addition to the Chicken Ranch and Sheri’s Ranch, several other legal brothels operate around Nevada, mostly near Las Vegas or Reno. Here are some of the most well-known:

• Moonlite BunnyRanch – Perhaps Nevada’s most famous brothel, located near Carson City. Featured on HBO’s Cathouse series.

• Mustang Ranch – Located near Reno, this was Nevada’s first licensed brothel in 1971. Previously owned by Joe Conforte and managed by Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.

• Love Ranch – Located north of Las Vegas, this brothel was the site of the tragic 2010 death of Lamar Odom.

• Wild Horse Adult Resort – An upscale bordello located about 10 miles from Las Vegas that also offers a nightclub, restaurant, and pool.

• Dennis Hof’s Love Ranch South – The Love Ranch location that Lamar Odom visited, now renamed and located just 10 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

The Legal Framework of Prostitution in Nevada

Commercial sex work is legal at licensed brothels in several Nevada counties. State law prohibits prostitution in counties with populations above 700,000, meaning it is illegal in Clark County (Las Vegas) and Washoe County (Reno).

Currently, there are about 20 legal brothels operating around the state. The prostitutes are independent contractors who must register with the local sheriff’s department and undergo regular health screenings.

The Chicken Ranch rests on the frontier of Nevada’s legal sex trade, as close to Vegas as the law allows. For over 40 years, it has built a reputation as a safe, respected brothel and local business serving Pahrump and visitors from Las Vegas seeking a legal prostitution experience.