When you mention the Black Rock Desert, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is Burning Man. The week-long festival takes place once a year, but what does this amazing region of Nevada have to offer the rest of the year? True Nevadans know that the Black Rock Desert is in fact an amazing spectacle all year long. Here you can have all sorts of adventures that you’re bound to remember for years to come. This iconic region is a must-visit, and thanks to this handy-dandy road trip we put together, you can see the very best parts of it in just one day. If you consider yourself a desert dweller, then you will definitely want to add this one to the list. Take a look:
The trip itself takes approximately 5 hours of travel time, so you should definitely plan for a full day of adventure in order to truly appreciate what each stop has to offer. Look at the Google Map complete with addresses and directions.
You'll start off your adventure in the spunky town of Gerlach. This place doesn't see a lot of action, but it's definitely not lacking on uniqueness. It's approximately 108 miles northeast of Reno and contains the Black Rock Visitors Contact Center. The center is a great place to stop for information before heading out into the desert. The Black Rock Desert is very primitive, so be sure to stock up on essentials like food and water before taking off.
Your first stop is a quirky little place called Planet X Pottery about 30 miles away from Gerlach. This place is definitely something you wouldn't expect to come across in the middle of the desert, yet here it is. The working pottery studio contains four show galleries, a bar, and a patio to hang out on. The artwork is truly amazing and definitely worth the effort it takes to get here.
Now you will double back and stop by the famous Guru Road before continuing deeper in the desert. This is one of those places that would truly only exist in a weird place like Nevada. There's no describing exactly what Guru Road is. It's kind of like an art installation in the middle of the desert. It was constructed back in the '70s by a man named DeWayne "Doobie" Williams. He used local materials like stone and other found objects to create the wackiest pieces of art you've ever seen!
A trip to Black Rock just isn't complete without a stop at Fly Geyser. Located on Fly Ranch property, the geothermal geyser is a unique formation that is constantly spraying a stream of water up to five feet in the air. It's by far one of Nevada's most iconic sights, and it's a must-see. Fly Geyser is located on private property but you can set up a walking tour with Friends of Black Rock-High Rock. More information about that can be found here.
By this time, you could probably go for a relaxing soak in one of Nevada's desert hot springs. The Black Rock Desert is home to a lot of places to soak, but the most notable is Soldier Meadows Hot Springs. Drive out to the quaint Soldier Meadows Ranch and you'll find the private hot spring on the property. Here you can sit back, relax, and take in the endless desert views that surround you.
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6. Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area
Once you arrive at the Black Rock Desert's playa, you'll see that there is so much more to this place than the festival that takes places here once a year. The wide open desert vistas are simultaneously intimidating and utterly serene. Did you know this place is considered one of the largest, flattest places on Earth? It's pretty incredible that we get to experience this natural wonder ourselves! Spend a few hours checking out every nook and cranny of this place that you can.
After you've had enough fun in the desert, make your way back to Gerlach and stop for a bite to eat at Bruno's Country Club. The little cafe has become somewhat of a legend in Northern Nevada. Here you can relax with a refreshing beverage and chat with the locals. Don't forget to try their world famous ravioli!
What do you think? Will you plan a day to explore the Black Rock Desert? Northern Nevada is just full of hidden treasures. Be sure to check out this Wild Northern Nevada Road Trip for even more destinations to hit up after you’re done at Black Rock!
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