Gateway Communities

The only paved highways to Gerlach and the Black Rock Desert connect from Cedarville, CA in the west, and Fernley, NV in the south. Entrance roads from I-80, Winnemucca, Imlay and Lovelock, are unpaved. Roads in from U.S. 95 and NV 140 in the north east are also unpaved. Inquire locally before attempting to drive on any unpaved roads in the area.

Gerlach.
Gerlach is the closest town and the southern entrance to the Black Rock Desert. It was established in 1906. Three years later the Western Pacific Railroad built a major train depot and a large roundhouse here. The only vestiges remaining of early railroading are a large wooden water tower near the town center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic places. Burning Man also owns the old railroad office building, which, although moved from it's original location and in need of repair, can be seen on Main Street. Friends currently shares this space although it is not officially open for the public at this time.

A kiosk near the water tower provides area information. The BLM Visitor Contact trailer sits just north of Gerlach, at a pullout with ample parking. The Contact trailer is open during weekends and some weekdays during summer months. Stop by and get maps or talk to a volunteer.

Services: Gas, tow service, mechanic, food, lodging, visitor information.

Lodging:

Black Rock Bungalow
530-581-2620
Vacation rental on the edge of town. Stylish, newly appointed kitchenette with great views, BBQ, satellite TV, gourmet coffee.
www.blackrockbungalow.com

Bruno's Motel
775-557-2220
Motel on the main strip in town. 40 rooms.
Kitchenettes & apartments available, RV parking, casino and restaurants.
Wireless internet. No phones. Restaurant open 6a - 8p. Famous for Bruno's ravioli, hand-made like momma made 60+. years ago.
brunoscountryclub.com

F-Ranch
775-557-2804
Remote Cattle Ranch and B & B 15 miles north of Gerlach off . Open April 1 through July. Generator/Solar. RV's and tents welcome.
www.fehunt.com

Soldier Meadows Ranch
775.849-1666
10 rooms, private and bunk. Remote 500,000 acre Cattle Ranch 60 miles north of Gerlach on unpaved road at the site of historic Soldier Meadows post, a stopping point for emigrants headed west. Family style dining. Generator. Camping available.
www.soldiermeadows.com

Empire.
Just south of Gerlach lies Empire. Established in 1922 as a company town for the pacific Portland Cement Company, which mines gypsum in the nearby mountains. Finished gypsum products continue to be produced and shipped to Gerlach on the shortest operating railroad in Nevada.

Services: Gas, deli, market
UPDATE September 2008: Empire store and gas is closed, unknown if it will re-open. See this RGJ article: Lone store for Gerlach and Empire in limbo

Fernley & Reno/Sparks
Drive east on 1-80 from Reno/Sparks 30 miles to Fernley, the southern gateway to the NCA. Fernley is a growing community offering the most complete services within 100 miles. From Fernley, drive north on NV 447 for 70 miles. The route passes through the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation communities of Wadsworth and Nixon.

Services: Gas, food, lodging, groceries, medical services

Chamber of Commerce

Winnemucca
From U.S. 95 just north of I-80 turn west on the Jungo Road. Drive west for two miles where the pavement ends and continue west on the unpaved Jungo Road for another 96 miles to the junction of NV 447, just north of Empire. Turn left and continue north for three miles to Gerlach. The BLM Winnemucca Field office is also located here at 5100 East Winnemucca Blvd. 775-623-1500.

Services: Gas, food, lodging, medical services, groceries,

50 West Winnemucca Blvd.
Winnemucca, NV 89445

Phone: (775) 623-5071
Toll-Free: (800) 962-2638
Fax: (775) 623-5087
Email: information@winnemucca.nv.us
Winnemucca Visitors and Convention Bureau

Lovelock
Drive north from 1-80 on NV 399 for 17 miles to where the pavement ends. Continue north on Seven Troughs Road for 50 miles to the abandoned mining site of Sulphur on the Jungo Road. COntinue west on Jungo Road (unpaved) for 41 miles to the junction of NV 447 just north of Empire. Turn left and continue three miles to Gerlach.

Services: Gas, food, lodging, groceries, emergency medical services

Chamber of Commerce

Imlay
Drive northwest from I-80 by the north end of Rye Patch Reservoir for about 10 miles to enter the NCA at the southeast end of the Emigrant Trail corridor.

Chamber of Commerce

Cedarville
The western gateway to the High Rock region of the NCA is situated near the Warner Mountains and Surprise Valley, approximately 100 miles north of Gerlach. To enter the High Rock area from here, head east from Cedarville on 299E. The paved road ends at the Nevada border and becomes Nevada 8A. Follow 8A about 21 miles to the junction of 8A and Route 34. Continue about 1 mile and turn east (right) on 8A. The NCA boundary is within a few miles of the junction.

To reach the Black Rock desert and Gerlach from Cedarville, head south on Main Street and follow State Route 447 about 83 miles to Gerlach. For more information, visit the BLM Surprise Valley Field office at 602 Main Street, in Cedarville. 530.279.6101.

Services: Gas, food, lodging, groceries, emergency medical services, airport

Chamber of Commerce

Nevada 140 (Denio/Vya)
From this paved highway northeast of Winnemucca, connecting to Denio with U.S. 95 there are several unpaged and unmarked routes leading to the NCA. Local inquiries should be made as to routes and road conditions before attempting any of these drives.

Note, the town of VYA often appears on maps, This a ghost town with no services.

Services in Denio: food, gas, lodging

Roads from Doyle and Susanville along US 395 exist but we do not recommend these routes at this time.