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Sand Mountain Recreation Area

4.0 (16 reviews)

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Eric B.

Gayle and I were driving down US 50 last week (aka the Loneliest Road in America) and after passing miles of salt flats, the Sand Mountain Recreational Area came into view. The sand dune is about 2 miles long and 600 feet high and thanks to the winds in this area, stays "sharp" despite all the ATV traffic on it. The sand originates from the ancient Lake Lahontan and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. When Gayle and I pulled in, there were several RV/ATV camps with folks happily hanging out or driving up and down the sand dune as part of what was probably a multi-day stay. There are bathrooms here too, although they're barely above outhouse quality. In any event, it was cool to walk around, read the interpretive signs, and watch the scenery and the vehicle action. And judging by some of the signs, there are apparently times of the year where this place is really hopping.

Nikki C.

Today was a great day to check out Sand Mountain. The weather was perfect and was not crowded. It's definitely a place to go if you have an ATV. I do not however so all I did was take some pictures and play with the drone. A lot of people with campers hang out there so I'm not sure if they stay overnight but you can. I believe there's a weekly fee. I do not recommend driving in a low car, you will get stuck in the sand. And the road to drive up to the sand there are "Dips" which are really deep so DRIVE SLOW!

Christine L.

We had a great time and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Only complaint is the fee...wish they had a day/one night pass instead of $40 a week

Ashley N.

Not a bad stop, as far as sand dunes go. The dunes are fun, but I noticed loads of garbage just about everywhere. I'm talking cans, bottles, paper products, plastic waste, cardboard boxes, etc. They do provide pit toilets in a couple of locations, which is nice if you don't have an RV. The bathrooms very okay as far as cleanliness goes, but I don't think anyone really cleans/sanitizes them regularly. The only real problem I had while here was the groups of campers around us. They were out until after 1:00am with their loud music and off road vehicles flying by. The other neighbors around us then started riding their quads at 7:00am, so don't expect much sleep if you get crappy campers. I wish there had been more supervision from a ranger or someone who could enforce a time to be quiet and courteous to those around you.

My boys at the top of Sand Mountain.
Tammzy V.

Love... love Sand Mountain! Been coming since I was 18. Had kids and have brought them since babies & my youngest will be 21 years old this weekend!

Good weekend trip!

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Review Highlights - Sand Mountain Recreation Area

I just went for a quick photo shoot of a sand dune so far from the ocean.

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Lahontan State Recreation Area

Lahontan State Recreation Area

(15 reviews)

I have so many fond memories of being here with my folks in my younger years. It was so nostalgic…read morevisiting last week. Water levels are lower than I remember, but it was nice to take a trip down memory lane. Every Summer, my parents drove their RV and I watched from the top bunk. My brothers and I could never stay in our seats. My parents never knew what we were up to. We always booked the same block of camping sites and we invited three other family's every year. The old tires swings on the cottonwood trees were always a hit with us kids and staying up late catching June bugs, telling scary stories around a campfire and roasting marshmallows for smores. It was cool showing my kids where my parents brought us camping.

Decided to take the teenagers to the lake after the wrestling tournament. Although it's a bit…read morechilly today, after a full day of wrestling somehow the kids found a way to get in the water. It's freezing for me so no thank you LOL. We have been camping at this lake for about 15 years now. There are many ways to camp here. There are tons of beaches that you could just Camp with tents or trailers/RV right on the beach or they have some improved camp sites with designated camping spaces. The price is around $8 a night. The first time we came here, it was completely flooded out. We stayed in the improved campgrounds, and over a few days the water came all the way up to our trailer and about a week later it was completely covering the trailer tires. After a year or two, the water level started to recede, and the lake seemed to be drying up. And after a few years we saw a pattern of flooding and then drying up. We tend to camp at this lake mostly when it is flooded. The water seems much cleaner, and there's so much more of it LOL.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - A LOT going on in this geopolitical wonderland!

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

(31 reviews)

We had not been here in years and honestly, this was not my first choice for camping, but instead…read moreof heading to a campground and hoping to score a site, we decided instead to come to Pyramid Lake for a 2-night/3-day stay. Our previous camping experience many years ago was not the best, but we did come during the 4th of July weekend, so it was crowded, loud and all around not a good experience. This time however, it was wonderful!! We set-up camp where we wanted and had the area practically to ourselves, serious boondocking. The weather was also perfect, hot during the day and cool during the night. We also got to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. My only gripe would be the mosquitos and even they weren't terrible. Although we didn't leave our campsite this time, we have previously visited many other parts of the lake as well as the Marina. The lake is huge and although not all of it is accessible, there are still many beaches and areas to visit and explore. I also like to stop at the Marina for ice cream. Another must stop is the Museum and Visitor Center, well worth the stop to learn more about the mysterious and rich history of the lake and the Paiute Tribe.

I live close to Pyramid Lake. It's a STUNNING oasis in the middle of the high desert. Hardly anyone…read moregoes there, it seems, so it's easy to find a quiet spot all to yourself. The boat launch ramp area is super easy to work with and plenty of room for several boats being dropped at the same time. The biggest benefit is the superior fishing. You cannot go wrong with a trip to Pyramid Lake! Your eyes will thank you, as it's some intense eye-candy out there! Bring your camera!!

Walker Lake - Arty scene at Walker Lake

Walker Lake

(21 reviews)

What a shame...Walker Lake used to be such a full and beautiful lake. I can recall driving by it as…read morea kid on numerous occasions heading to my rodeos and 4H competitions in Reno, Nevada This most recent drive by I was shocked by how much it has shrunk through the years. Since it has been receiving little to no water from Walker River since 2011, the fish and the fishing has become obsolete. Walker Lake is a natural lake in the Great Basin. It is 11 miles in length and only 5 miles wide. At its deepest, it is 68 feet. History tells us many years ago that the Northern Paiutes ancestors inhabited the area around the lake and depended on the fish and birds it provided to live. Through the Walker Basin Restoration Program they were able to deliver water to the lake in 2019 for the first time and they aim to restore Walker Lake to a state where it can house fish and birds again. I hope this comes true. We enjoyed our lunch stop overlooking this beauty.

My week I spent in Hawthorne; I had some down time hanging by Walker Lake. I'm a water baby and…read morebodies of water calm me; my happy place. It was a huge plus that the weather was perfect and probably the last warm one this year. Learning the history and chatting it up with the locals here was good time. I hope Mineral county is able to sustain Walker lake and preserve it for years to come. I look forward to my next hangout passing through the Alt-95 or next time I'm in Hawthorne.

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

(3 reviews)

My 300th review!!!…read more Water in the middle of the desert? No, wait, a wetland habitat in the middle of the desert? This must be a mirage! Nope, if you've found your way out to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, that's definitely water you're seeing, along with all sorts of shorebirds, herons, egrets, ducks, owls, hawks and other wildlife coming in for a bit of respite from the harsh environment around it. With most of these types of areas, my first question is always about the quality of the roads used to get around. The roads are all gravel once inside the refuge, but I can tell you that at Stillwater, in dry conditions, a car is perfectly fine. There are no dips or divots in the road a car can't handle, and definitely no clearance issues. Even when the roads are wet, there really isn't an issue. As a national refuge, this is a federally managed wetland project designed to provide habitat and attract and sustain wetland species in Northern Nevada. For birdwatchers, this place can be paradise, with several species calling the area home. The refuge has a great walking trails that take you into some unique habitat, and give you opportunities to see the diversity of wildlife in the area. I've seen all sorts of birds, as well as deer, coyotes, and more. If you have a non-motorized boat, paddling through some of the larger ponds can be a great way to spend an afternoon. They even have overnight campgrounds that are suitable for tents or RVs. I've been coming to Stillwater for the past few years, and with the drought conditions throughout the state, this place has definitely suffered. To put it in perspective, last year there were 3 large areas holding water, and in 2014 they're down to one. I'm hopeful we have a great winter that brings a lot of precipitation that will help replenish our water supply. We all know we need it!

We went in November of 2006…read more We saw ducks, blue heron and other waterfowl. We even saw a few birds of prey. If you are into desert landscapes, and wetlands this is a great mix. I prefer lots of trees myself, of which there were very few. However it was VERY beautiful and we did enjoy it. There was also a wildlife viewing platform that allowed you to look out on the marshes. The bathrooms were impeccable for the "porta-potty/outhouse" type that most parks have. Talk about clean! wow! It wasn't to terribly hot in November when we went but PLEASE bring water with you, you'll want it. A jacket too if it's in the Winter months.

South Lake Tahoe Recreation Area

South Lake Tahoe Recreation Area

(10 reviews)

The best spot for peace and quiet when it's busy. There was alot of people but you never heard…read moreanyone. It was so clean and such a great experience. We went on a Saturday morning around 10am.

The South Lake Tahoe area (in my opinion) is the most active section, offering the most sights,…read moreattractions and scenic hikes for anyone interested in exploring Tahoe for a weekend getaway. That's how I'd describe my vacation here when I visited. First off....for anyone looking into affordable accommodations.....I stayed at the Lake Tahoe Ambassador Lodge. This motel was a real quaint place to stay and pretty cheap compared to anywhere else. Although I booked a reservations months in advance, I paid $62 per night for 2 evenings! An absolute bargain! So yeah....this Ambassador Lodge is located right behind the main section and casual walking area of South Lake Tahoe....a 5 minute walk. I left my car parked here at the lodge and walked over to the main roads for dinner twice here in the evening times. Also here...is a main attraction.....The Heavenly Gondola. A cable car ride transporting you up to the top of Lake Tahoe w/ stunning views of the turquoise blue and green waters below. Though...when buying a ticket....I waited in line for a good 20 minutes! It's popular. Be prepared for lines. Also, the round trip ride up top and back down below was a whopping $53! When I visited...weather and thunderstorms were in the area delaying and halting the gondola ride, unfortunately. Here in South Lake Tahoe....on the main strip and road...there's plenty of restaurants to eat at along with a couple of casinos to gamble in. And...you can browse and window shop the stores. It's a real nice and pleasant area with lots going on. Don't forget to grab a photo of the iconic giant ski lift chair saying "Welcome to Lake Tahoe"! It was a memorable and worthwhile picture moment. A few of the main attractions in this South Lake Tahoe area included....Inspiration Point (eh, quite mediocre overlook), Lower Eagle Falls at Emerald Bay State Park (not the upper), Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay State Park, the quiet and picturesque shoreline below at Emerald Bay State Park, and of course.....the majestic views of Emerald Bay from the parking lot area of Emerald Bay State Park. So...in general....Emerald Bay State Park is an absolute MUST when here in the South Lake Tahoe section! Continuing....Cascade Falls is a decent hike around here. It takes you along the coastline and edge with beautiful views of Cascade Lake. Though...I never found Cascade Falls. Still, the hike is one of the better paths to traverse. That about wraps up the main highlights from my time here in South Lake Tahoe. But for those still interested.....from this area....I navigated clockwise around Lake Tahoe w/ making Squaw Valley the next main stop along my itinerary. Just some extra side notes....parking in South Lake Tahoe is very difficult. That's why I left my car at the Ambassador Lodge and walked around when I could...especially heading out for dinner and on over to Heavenly Gondola. The shops and stores around here offer gifts and souvenirs. At night....there's good restaurants with seating outside in the mild summer weather along w/ music and entertainment being played. Don't forget nearby (backtracking a little) Sand Harbor Beach was absolutely STUNNING w/ wonderful views of the Lake Tahoe backdrop and beyond. The colors of the waters here (I swear) were clear w/ hints of turquoise green. It's a very popular area w/ virtually no parking during peak times of the day. Certainly worthwhile to visit and relax in late afternoon (5pm and beyond) when I came by. Parking was $10....but totally worth it. Overall, South Lake Tahoe is the most active section of Lake Tahoe. Hope some of these recommended highlights assists folks in navigating around the area.

Sand Mountain Recreation Area - recreation - Updated May 2026

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