With more than 75,000 people traveling through these normally quiet rural towns, we have a significant impact on the communities surrounding the Black Rock Desert. Drive slowly, be courteous and patient, dress appropriately, and be respectful. We are guests here. Be polite and friendly to all local residents. Remember to Leave No Trace.
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
Traveling from the West, South, or East to Black Rock City, will take you through the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation and near the shores of Pyramid Lake. We urge you to be respectful and supportive of the Pyramid Lake community. Be courteous to Tribe members. Be respectful of the lake and land — they are considered sacred, and the lake is home to two types of endangered fish. Artifact hunting and graffiti are prohibited.
The I-80 Smokeshop in Wadsworth and the Nixon Store in Nixon are open for extended hours during peak travel times. Tribal members also offer services such as car washes, tacos, food drives, and trash collection on Tribal land along the roads. All vendors are required to register with the Tribal government. Please consider supporting local businesses as you pass through.To learn more about the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, visit plpt.nsn.us and the Local Towns section of the Burning Man website.
Pyramid Lake camping & day-use
Pyramid Lake is a beautiful ancient lake at the heart of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Reservation. All day-use (including swimming) and camping require permits. Day-use permits are $22 and camping permits are $32 per day. To purchase permits online, or for a list of permit locations and additional information about Pyramid Lake, please visit this page.Proceeds from permits support the Tribal Government and environmental programs that protect Pyramid Lake’s unique ecosystem. The Tribe advises all travelers that the north, east and south sides of the lake, Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge, including the Pyramid and Needles areas, are off-limits and closed to everyone but Tribe members. The beaches on Highway 446 from Popcorn Rock to Warrior Point are open to the public.
Nobles Trail
In 1851, William H. Nobles found a cutoff from the Applegate Trail west through present-day Gerlach that shortened the journey to Northern California via today’s Susanville. This shortcut, known as the Nobles Cutoff, was established as an emigrant trail in 1852. Initially, the trail left the Applegate Trail at Black Rock Hot Spring and traversed the bulk of the Black Rock Desert Playa. In 1856, an alternate route was found that leaves the Applegate at Rabbit Hole Spring and passes by Trego Hot Spring.
Consider stopping along the trail as you travel through the area! Check out the Friends of the Black Rock High Rock website and BLM’s website for more info.
Fireworks
Possession or use of fireworks is not allowed in Black Rock City.
Gerlach & Empire
Be considerate of the year-round residents of Gerlach and Empire. Drive slowly and carefully, don’t block driveways or streets. There are two gas stations, a market, water store, restaurant, and several street vendors. If you do pull over to patronize these businesses, please do so safely and avoid causing traffic issues. Regular traffic laws apply, and you may be ticketed for obstructing traffic or creating a nuisance. If parking lots are full, please proceed on your journey..
Do not replenish your water supply from a private local spigot. Water is precious in the desert, and this water belongs to local residents. For more info, go to the Local Towns section of the website.