McGill is a census-designated place (CDP) in White Pine County, Nevada, United States.

In 1872, John Cowger established a ranch in the Steptoe Valley and acquired the water rights for the area.

[3] The Nevada Consolidated Copper Company had numerous mines in the region and was seeking a partner to create a smelter in the area.

[4] The Cumberland and Ely Mining Corporation had acquired 8 square miles (21 km2) of land near the ranch[3] and thought it would be ideal for a smelter location due to access to a plentiful water source.

[7] In 1983, the price of copper along with the low grade ore being mined led to Kennecott closing the smelter and demolishing it.

[8] With the primary employer gone, the population of McGill decreased to its current levels.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), all of it land.