No photos yet

Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area

Lovelock, NV

Dispersed camping — conditions change

Fire restrictions, road washouts, and seasonal closures are common on public lands. Confirm current rules with the managing agency (BLM/USFS field office) before traveling. Practice Leave No Trace.

Directions

Pricing

Check official pricing

0.0

0 Reviews

Dispersed Area Free · No reservation BLM · BLM National Conservation Area

What is dispersed camping?

Dispersed camping is primitive camping on public land outside of developed campgrounds. There are no facilities — no toilets (usually), no water, no trash service, no marked sites. You may camp anywhere within the area, usually for free, subject to the agency's rules below. Pack everything out, follow Leave No Trace, and check current conditions with the land manager before you go.

Free 14-day dispersed camping across the ~200-square-mile Black Rock playa and surrounding NCA. No fires on the playa floor.

Fire restrictions change daily. We don't publish a static fire-allowed claim — check the current order before any campfire, stove, or smoking.

Current fire orders ↗

Previously disturbed sites only
Camp ONLY in established / previously used spots. Pioneering new sites is prohibited under the management plan and subject to citation.
Pack out human waste
WAG bag (or equivalent pack-out kit) is required. Burying is not allowed in this area.

Managing agency: BLM · BLM Black Rock Field Office
Designation: BLM National Conservation Area
Max stay: 14 days per location
Road access: Graded dirt
Distance from water (LNT): 200+ ft
Vehicle notes: From Reno: take I-80 east to Wadsworth. Travel north for 75 miles on State Highway 447 to Gerlach. Motorized use is limited to designated routes only, except for the unvegetated, flat surface of the Black Rock Desert Playa.

Facilities

✗No toilets — pack out human waste (WAG bag)
✗No water — bring all you'll need
→Cell: No cell phone signal; rugged and remote.

Seasonal notes: Playa is impassable when wet; high-clearance vehicles with off-road tires (≥6-ply) and a spare are recommended.

Resources & official references

Fire restrictions (live)

BLM Nevada — fire restrictions ↗
Live BLM Nevada fire-order page. Check before any campfire or stove use.

Official agency page

BLM — Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon NCA ↗
Official NCA page from the managing agency.

Field office / ranger district

BLM Black Rock Field Office ↗
Managing field office — alerts, contact, current orders.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace — 7 Principles ↗
Pack everything out, camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, etc.

rules

BLM — Camping on Public Lands ↗
Federal 14-in-28-day stay rule and dispersed-camping etiquette.

Official sources & verification

Managed by Dispersed/Primitive

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.

Verify by phone or mail

Operator:(775) 623-1500
Email:wfoweb@blm.gov
Address:Lovelock, NV

About

Per the BLM Black Rock Field Office page: "Designated campsites can be found in the Soldier Meadows ACEC and in High Rock Canyon" and "Dispersed camping is allowed everywhere else." 14-day stay limit, no fees. "Fires are not allowed directly on the floor of the Black Rock Playa." Camping use on the playa is limited to the flat and unvegetated playa surface. Commercial / competitive / organized events require a Special Recreation Permit.