KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Please recreate responsibly and protect public land resources and your recreation opportunities. There are over 900 miles of designated roads and trails in the National Conservation Area that are available for your use. Careless Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) behavior is the major cause of negative publicity towards OHV use and can cause damage to resources and jeopardize safety. Inconsiderate OHV use can cause thousands of acres to be closed to the enjoyment of all visitors.

Things You Should Know
* The playa is open for use by OHVs; visitors can drive anywhere on the flat and un-vegetated playa. Playa Hazards
* The dunes and hummocks surrounding the playa are closed.
* Off of the playa, vehicle travel is allowed only on the designated roads and trails shown on the transportation maps.
* Wilderness areas are closed to OHV use
* Fire Restrictions take place during summer months. Restriction information (PDF)

Wilderness Boundaries and Wilderness Access Roads
Ten wilderness areas were designated in 2000 in the Black Rock region. On the maps, it might appear as though some of them touch. The wilderness areas that seem to touch are actually separated by roads that are not part of the wilderness areas. The same is true for several “cherry stem” roads that allow access to the interior of the wilderness areas. Since these roads are not part of the wilderness areas they separate or penetrate, they are open for vehicle use. For example, the road through High Rock Canyon separates the High Rock Canyon Wilderness Area from the East Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness Area. Only designated routes (shown in green) are open. Wilderness Access routes are marked open with signs.

High Rock Canyon Seasonal Road Closure
The road through High Rock Canyon is closed from the end of the Chukar hunting season (about the first of February) until the second weekend in May.

This closure is to prevent disturbance during the raptor breeding and bighorn sheep lambing seasons, and to prevent damage to the road and emigrant trail through the canyon.

TIPS FOR DRIVING IN BLACKROCK COUNTRY
Come Prepared –This is a very remote region. There are no services in the NCA. Fuel, food and supplies are only available in Gerlach, Wadsworth, Nixon, Empire, Cedarville, Lovelock, and Winnemucca. The Soldier Meadows Guest Ranch provides food and lodging with advanced registration. Always travel with a full-size spare tire (at least 6-ply is recommended). High clearance and/or 4WD is recommended.

The Black Rock Desert Playa is impassable when wet, but is generally passable during the summer season. However, beware when traveling on the Playa even when the surface appears to be dry, because it may be wet beneath the surface and become impassable to vehicles. Check with local residents and businesses or BLM for up-to-date conditions.

Please bookmark this page if you plan to travel in the NCA.

Most roads and trails are not regularly maintained, are unsigned, and are seldom traveled. Avoid traveling solo in areas where help is not available; use the buddy system. There is no cell phone service in the NCA.

Water is scarce in the region, bring plenty with you (minimum 1 gallon per/day per/person).

Hot Springs Are Dangerous
Contributed by Chuck Dodd

The water in Double Hot Springs is about 190 degrees F and, for some distance, the water in the streams carrying runoff from the springs is almost as hot. In addition, the banks of the springs are very steep and slippery. If you fall into the springs, you cannot get out in time to avoid serious injury. People have died after falling into the springs. Do not dip your hand or put your foot into the springs to test the temperature. Be extremely carreful when walking on the paths around the springs.

Keep your dog on a leash and your children close around Double Hot Springs. Dogs will jump into the springs and almost always die when they do. Dogs have scalded their tongues by drinking from the streams and have burned their feet when crossing the streams.

Other hot spings in the area are not as hot as Double Hot Springs, but the temperature of most hot springs can vary greatly. Always test the temperature of a hot spring (except Double Hot Springs) before getting in. As indicated above, do not even test the temperature of Double Hot Springs.

Playa Conditions Unpredictable and Treacherous
Contributed by Chuck Dodd

Unpredictable weather recently has caused sheets of water have been floating and moving on the playa, which means that conditions are changing -- an area that may be dry one day could be impassible the next.

People -- experienced, knowledgeable people -- are getting stuck out there.

Stuck on the PlayaExample 1: "What Not To Do"
Reported by a donor who shall remain anonymous.

Note the water on the playa, left of the vehicle in the photo above.
"I was out on the playa last Wednesday [May 29, 2005], and I was following this flow of water. I stopped a various spots on the edge of the flow to grab some photos, and I was just about to head home when I became distracted and let myself drift into the mud. Just like that -- I was stuck! I could get out on the drivers side and be on dry and driveable playa, and on the passengers side -- I was ankle deep in the mud. 15 miles and 6 hours later I was sitting in Gerlach, trying to find someone to pull me out. All ended well with a lesson learned."