There’s a secret haven for camping, boating, and star-gazing hiding in plain sight just two hours outside of Reno, the world’s “biggest little city.” A remnant of the prehistoric ocean once covering much of Nevada, Walker Lake is ripe for exploration and outdoor adventure. Although it’s located just off U.S. Route 95 in Nevada’s Great Basin, uncrowded Walker Lake feels remote and vast, surrounded by arid, high-desert landscapes and bordered by the Wassuk and Gillis mountain ranges.
Sans restaurants, hotels, or places to rent gear, Walker Lake Recreation Area does boast several campgrounds, a boat launch, off-road trails, and 60 square miles of water with an average depth of 80 feet. A stop on the way to many of Nevada’s cool, funky towns, this body of brackish water happens to be a treasure trove for outdoor lovers and wildlife watchers, as well as geologic-history buffs. Sandy beaches along the lake’s east side invite swimming, boating, and camping, with abundant wildlife adding to nature’s entertainment, often with few others around. Past waterlines indicating Walker Lake’s centuries of former levels are etched into the surrounding landscape, with tufa rocks rising up like oddities sculpted by an ancient sea.
Swimming and boating in an ancient ocean remnant
Whether you’re jet skiing across the water or simply floating in the salty former sea, at Walker Lake your eyes can laze on the striking scenery. Sagebrush dots the sparse landscape, with Mt. Grant scraping the southwestern sky at 11,285 feet. When calm, the violet mountains surrounding the lake are reflected in its mirrorlike waters.
Water temperatures are best during summer months when they rise to about 73 F. With an elevation resting around 3,923 feet, Walker Lake’s temperatures both in and out of the water can get quite cool during the other seasons. Arriving at Walker Lake Recreation Area from the north, there are several entry points into the water. Twenty Mile Beach is the lake’s northernmost day-use site, with Tamarack Beach just a minute south, followed by Sportsman’s Beach where visitors can find restrooms, shade, and a paved boat launch. You’ll want to bring your own watercraft as there are no nearby rental places. However, this often-glassy lake has fluctuating water levels that can expose obstacles previously underwater, so sometimes it’s more navigable by kayaks, SUPs, and canoes. Some reviews mention water levels being below the boat ramp dock at times, presenting difficulty for launching, so keep an eye on water levels before you go. Walker Lake is not a fishing destination, as high salinity levels are not fish friendly…