Wovoka Wilderness revised draft

Unnamed flat near west side of wilderness. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)

In the mountainous backcountry of western Nevada sits a 48,000-acre tract of land left relatively untouched by human development. There are no roads, cars, or houses encroaching on the natural environment, just miles of scenic, serene land dubbed the Wovoka Wilderness.

This nature reserve became a protected wilderness area in 2014 and was named Wovoka after the Paiute spiritual leader who was born and raised in the region. Wovoka, a shaman mystic, is best known for starting the Ghost Dance movement that many Native American tribes in the West adopted at the end of the 19th century.

Today, the Great Basin landscape that shares Wovoka’s name is the last stretch of wildland in Nevada’s Lyon County. It’s located in the southern part of Pine Grove Hills, with its centerpiece Bald Mountain at an elevation of 9544 feet. To the south and east is Nevada’s second-newest state park, the Walker River State Recreation Area [link: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/walker-river-state-recreation-area], along the East Walker River. It’s a diverse landscape that spans colorful canyons, forests, and beautiful mountain views.

The Wovoka Wilderness is also a natural habitat for a wide range of plants and animals, including mule deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep, bears, bobcats, golden eagles, bats, and butterflies. Aside from its natural beauty, this remote landscape is notable for being speckled with prehistoric cultural sites such as petroglyphs, drive fences, and house rings.

[Note to editors: the mention of the Ninemile Ranch has been moved to the Walker River State Recreation Area writeup, as it’s officially part of that recreation area.]

Know Before You Go

Wovoka Wilderness is remote, with no amenities anywhere nearby. There are few defined trails, such that excursions largely involve cross-country hiking. Visitors should be experienced in wilderness hiking and (if backpacking) wilderness camping as well. There is also no surface water aside from a handful of springs, and all water must be treated. Bringing plenty of water, especially in the summer months, is necessary. (And please pack your garbage out, too.)

The main access is supposed to be the Nye Canyon Road (US Forest Service 031), which has a junction with Nevada State Route 338 to the west at about 38.56954 N, 119.20985 W. This road runs along the wilderness on the north and leads to some dead-end vehicle trails that enter the wilderness from the north; these are intended to be authorized vehicle corridors for access. The bulk of the Nye Canyon road is supposed to be passable to high-clearance vehicles, although the dead-end trails will probably require 4wd. Nye Canyon is subject to flooding, however, and at present (2024) the Nye Canyon Road is completely washed out, having been practically obliterated by flash floods in summer 2023. It is currently passable only to OHVs. Check with the Bridgeport Ranger District [link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/about-forest/districts/?cid=fseprd754240] for its current status.

There are no campgrounds by Wovoka Wilderness, but primitive car camping ("boondocking") off established roads open to motor vehicles is allowed on the public lands. There is an undeveloped RV campground, Bighorn Campground, in the Elbow Unit of the Walker River State Recreation area. Take SR 338 south from the Nye Canyon junction 10.9 miles to the junction of US Forest Service Road 028 and turn left. USFS 028 is signed for "Hawthorne" and comes in about 2.7 miles before the California line. This junction is at about 38.44262 N, 119.13145 W. From here it is about 5.5 miles to the turnoff (on the left, at about 38.42793 N, 119.04558 W) to the Bighorn Campground.

There is a developed campground at the Pitchfork Ranch Unit of Walker River State Recreation Area, which is about 35 miles away. Take SR-338 north 17.1 miles from the Nye Canyon junction to the intersection of SR-208; then keep going straight on SR-208, which will bend right (east). Follow it through Wilson Canyon [link: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wilson-canyon] into Mason Valley. In Mason Valley, stay on SR-208 and follow it to a well-marked junction for the Walker River State Recreation Area. This junction is about 14.9 miles from the junction with SR-338. Turn left here; it is now 4 miles on a graded road to the recreation area.

The nearest full services, including lodging and a complete grocery, are in Bridgeport, California. To get there, follow Nevada SR-338 (which becomes CA-182 in California) about 26 miles south from the Nye Canyon junction.