High desert lake town in the Great Basin offers water and land-based adventures year-round.
Located in west central Nevada, the small town of Walker Lake sits along the southwest shore of the high desert lake of the same name, a remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan and a rare perennial lake in the Great Basin. Spanning 12 miles by 5 miles, the lake is a popular destination for swimming, boating, water skiing, kayaking, birding, and wildlife watching. More than 1,000 miles of trails nearby offer options for OHV and off-roading. Camping options include tent and RV camping on BLM land around the lake, with additional options in the high desert, state parks, and national forests nearby.
Walker Lake Area
Several campgrounds can be found on BLM land around Walker Lake, including a developed campground Sportsman’s Beach and the undeveloped campgrounds at Tamarack Beach and 20 Mile Beach. For RV parks with amenities, head south to Hawthorne. Weber Reservoir, part of the Walker River Paiute Reservation to the north, offers fishing, boating, and camping. Near Yerington, the Walker River State Recreation Area offers fly fishing, hiking, floating, wildlife watching, and off-roading, as well as tent, RV, and cabin camping.
Washoe Valley and High Desert
Further north, Fort Churchill State Park and Dayton State Park offer history and year-round campgrounds. Closer to Reno, Washoe Lake State Park offers two shallow lakes, along with wetlands, dunes, mountain views, and the possibility of spotting wild horses. Year-round camping can also be found along the southern shores of Washoe Lake at Washoe Lake Campground or along the northern shore at Davis Creek Regional Park.
Eastern Sierra California and Highway 395
Southwest of Walker Lake, campers will find plenty of outdoor recreation, along with tent and RV camping and cabin options around Bridgeport, Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes and Convict Lake along Highway 395 in California. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Inyo National Forest also offer numerous campgrounds. The area is also home to several natural hot springs.
Water recreation is one of the biggest draws for Walker Lake, making summer a popular time to visit. Fishing in the East Walker River, which flows into Walker Lake, is permitted during regular trout season from the end of April to mid-November, with stocking typically occurring over the summer. Summer is also a good time for spotting desert Bighorn sheep along the west shore of Walker Lake. Winters can be cold, with temperatures occasionally dipping below freezing.