Walker River State Recreation Area

Our Summer trip begins at Walker River State Recreation Area (SRA) just southeast of Yerington, NV. Opened in 2018, this park is one of Nevada’s newest State Parks. It stretches along 28 miles of the East Walker River and encompasses several large ranch properties that have been private property for over 100 years. The park headquarters, visitor center, and campgrounds are located on the former Pitchfork Ranch.

Sunset walk

After arriving late in the day we set up camp, have a quick dinner, and then head out for a sunset walk to stretch our legs. After being in the truck almost all day, the walk feels wonderful.

And, as we take in the idyllic scene around us, we realize it’s going to be a very restful nights sleep and a wonderful couple of days.

Stargazing

Because this park is remote and only minimally developed, it’s very dark here at night. Which offers incredible stargazing opportunities.

Nature Trail

The next morning, we head out for a walk along the nature trail toward the Visitor Center. The path runs along the river; which offers tubing, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching. It’s so quiet here.

Along the trail we encounter many small animals and a variety of birds; which of course had no interest in sitting still to have their picture taken.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center offers information about the park, how it came to be, the history of the land, the flora and fauna, as well as the animals to be found in the park. It also offers a child sized chess set (i.e. the pieces are the size of toddlers) on the back patio for campers to enjoy at their leisure.

As we leave the visitor center, we see a bright blue patch on a rock that looks completely out of place. Getting closer, we find it’s a lizard with a splash of bright blue on it’s belly and under it’s head.

River to Ranch Bike Ride

In the afternoon we bring down the bikes and travel the nature trail (yes, bikes are allowed) the other direction from our campsite. We follow the river quite a way before taking a dirt road away from the river, climbing in elevation to eventually head back to the campground.

Off-Road Trails

As we approach the campgrounds we see two vertical lumps in the distance marking a road heading up into the hills. Deciding to investigate, we find two totem poles marking the entrance to the parks off-road trails. These trails are far enough away that we didn’t hear any vehicles during our stay, even though there was a very large party of UTV’s in the other campground.

Yerington, NV

Our final day here, we decide to spend a leisurely early morning around camp, enjoying the sounds of nature before taking a long (13 mile) bike ride into Yerington, NV. Our goal is to check out the town, the Lyon County Museum, and treat ourselves to lunch. The ride in is very pleasant, going along the river, before skirting several working farms on our way into town.

Working Farms

Along the way we see a field of cows with perfect white bands around their middles. From a distance we thought this was something the farmer did; but getting closer we realized it’s was entirely natural.

Lyon County Museum

We arrive at the Lyon County Museum to find that it is closed; but are still able to see some of the outdoors exhibits.

It’s a shame the museum isn’t open, as it looks really interesting.

Lunch

We choose to have lunch at the Tailgater Sports Bar. The restaurant is clean, the staff friendly, and the food is simple; but excellent. We actually found out later that the cook was the husband of the Walker River SRA Office Manager. If he cooks like that at home, she’s one lucky lady.

Wildlife

On the way back to the park we encounter quite a few animals: alpaca, lambs, cows, horses, deer, the usual small ground animals, and a pair of red tailed hawks.

We also get a really good view of a jet in the very clear blue sky.

Next stop… Dayton State Park via Buckland Station and Fort Churchill State Park.