Join us on the playa for the annual Black Rock Rendezvous!
Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25, 2026
SIGN UP HERE
When Partners Come Together, Great Things Happen! Come explore the wild spaces of the Black Rock Desert NCA during a weekend focused on conservation, education, community, and stewardship.
If you've ever enjoyed this annual Memorial Day event over the past two decades, then you have an idea of what's in store at this year's Black Rock Rendezvous. If you've ever wanted to go, now is the time!The Rendezvous is a celebration of all things Black Rock, with various experts and groups doing what they do best – educating, motivating, and making a difference for our environment. This year, we share the playa stage with the Bureau of Land Management, Stewards of Black Rock, experts in a few fields, and most importantly...YOU*.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Experience the wild spaces of the Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area during a family-friendly weekend focused on exploration, education, community, and stewardship with Friends of Black Rock, Stewards of Black Rock, and the Bureau of Land Management*.
What to expect:
Educational talks on emigrant history, nearby mining projects, rockhounding & geology
Guided day trips (Steamboat Hike, Guru Road, Gerlach Art Tour, Bike Rides, Native Plant Walks, Rockhounding in the Calicos)
Hot spring visits
Live music (featuring The Dustperados!)
Community meals, including a Dutch oven cook-off with prizes!
NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
• 5 PM – Arrival and camp setup
SATURDAY, MAY 23
• 6 AM Coffee with Friends of Black Rock
• 7 AM – Breakfast at Center Camp by Friends of Black Rock
9 AM – Orientation, partner overview, and speakers. Times may vary.
9:40 - 10:00: Kayla & Christof: Rockhounding & geology in the Black Rock Desert
10:00 - 10:20: Todd Process: mining & reclamation information, what’s happening in our area.
10:20 - 10:40: Mike: native plants
10:40 - 11:00: Erin Gillette, BLM Archaeologist: Archeology in the Black Rock Desert
11:00 - 11:20: Christopher Brooks, Author: Black Rock Dead and You
11:20 - 11:40: Matthew Ebert: Abridged Emigrant History
• 12 PM – Day trips depart.
Be prepared to caravan. Pack everything you’ll need for the day. Sign up for your tour on-site.
• Gerlach Open Air Art & Guru Rd (Metric & Margie)
• Group Bike Ride (Kurstin)
• Steamboat Hike (Robert W.)
• Native Plant Walk (Mike)
• Rockhounding in Calico Range (Kayla)
• 3-5 PM – Return to camp
6 pm: Live Music featuring The Dustperados. Surf music for the largest beach in Nevada.
7 pm: dinner: Dutch Oven Cook-Off & Potluck Dinner
Dutch oven cookoff contest with PRIZES! Please have your submission present by 7 pm for consideration.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
• 6 AM - Coffee with Metric
• 7 AM – Breakfast (on your own)
• 10 AM – Tours Depart
• Emigrant Trail Tour: Metric will conduct an interpretive tour of the Applegate Lassen Emigrant Trail from Sulfur to Rabbithole Springs to Trego.
• Hot Spring Tour: Rita Smyth
• 10 AM Stewardship Project
Join BLM/Friends of Black Rock High Rock: Stewardship Project at Trego Hot Springs. Refreshments provided.
• Evening – Dinner (On Your Own) followed by campfire and storytelling.
MONDAY, MAY 25
• 6 AM - Coffee with Metric
• 7 AM – Breakfast with Black Rock Stewards
• Leave No Trace cleanup before departure
NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Questions? E-mail us at info@blackrockdesert.org.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Location & Getting there: Cassidy Mine Road. 40°48’55.1”N, 119°13’21.0”W
When the playa is dry, camp is accessed via the 12-mile entrance. Take the second entrance, closer to the west side. Follow this entrenched route up approximately 3 miles and look for our camp setup on the left towards the dunes at the base of Cassidy Mine Rd. Use caution, and slow down when approaching.
If the playa is wet, we move camp to the top of Cassidy Mine Road, accessed via Soldier Meadows Rd. AWD with high clearance recommended.
Weather: Watch the weather and our updates on Facebook or here. Plan accordingly. It can be hot, windy, dusty, cold, rainy, just right... or all of the above in a single 24-hour period.
A driving map to the camp location will be posted on Friday in the window at our Visitor Center at 320 Main Street, Gerlach, Nevada.
Communal Meals: For the potlucks and other communal meals (not all meals are provided, bring your own plate, silverware, chair and drinks.
Pack: Layers, hat, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, water, daypacks, sturdy shoes, first-aid kit, spare tire, trash bags...all the things you need for desert survival!
Dogs must be on leash in camp. Consider leaving pets at home, especially if it is hot. The desert is harsh and pets have been lost in the NCA. We hate to see this. Please clean up after your pets.
Questions about anything Rendezvous? Contact us at info@blackrockdesert.org.