Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area
There is no entrance fee. Yes, dispersed camping is allowed at Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area is a BLM unit in Humboldt County, Nevada.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area on the managing agency's own page.
Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area map
Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
2 fire restriction orders are recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Each links the signed order.
- BLM Winnemucca District Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Order Applies to BLM Winnemucca District land, which includes this unit (Black Rock Field Office). Stage 1. Listed under Central Nevada on Nevada Fire Info. The signed order states the exact area, what it prohibits, and exemptions.
- BLM Nevada Prevention Order: BLM statewide restrictions Effective May 1, 2026. Applies to all BLM and Forest Service land in Nevada. Prohibited: Possessing, discharging, using or allowing the use of fireworks, pyrotechnic or incendiary devices; possessing, discharging, igniting or causing to burn; explosives or explosive material, including binary explosive targets; discharging a firearm using tracer, incendiary, or steel-component ammunition. [Use of tracer or incendiary ammunition is always prohibited on public lands]; operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
Nevada Fire Info, BLM Nevada's interagency fire site, keeps the Nevada fire restrictions map and signed orders for every fire zone, and a Nevada fire map of active fires.
Common questions
- There is no entrance fee.
- Yes, dispersed camping is allowed at Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. The stay limit is 14 days.
- Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area is managed by the BLM's Black Rock Field Office.
- Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area's listed activities include Biking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Wilderness, Historic Cultural Site, Camping, Horseback Riding, Highway Vehicle, Accessible Facility or Activity, Backpacking, Land Sand Sailing, Photography.
Fees, hours, and reservations
There is no entrance fee.
Camping at Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area
Dispersed camping allowed Stays are limited to 14 days.
Named camping areas: Steven's Camp, Massacre Ranch, Soldier Meadows, Soldier Meadows ACEC, High Rock Canyon.
Campground inside the boundary: Steven's Camp Recreation Area , with site counts, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.
Fires are not allowed directly on the floor of the Black Rock Playa.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Gerlach
- High-clearance vehicle recommended
- No cell service
Visitor centers
- Black Rock Station 200 Transfer Road, Gerlach, NV 89412 775-557-2503 (seasonal)
Fishing and water
Rye Patch Reservoir fishing (0.7 miles outside the boundary): its fishing and stocking record on fishypedia.com.
Public lands next to Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area
- Wilderness areaCalico Mountains Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaEast Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaHigh Rock Canyon Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaHigh Rock Lake Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaLittle High Rock Canyon Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaNorth Black Rock Range Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaPahute Peak Wilderness lies inside Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
- Wilderness areaBlack Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area borders Black Rock Desert Wilderness.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/black-rock-desert-high-rock-canyon-emigrant-trails-national-conservation-area (accessed 2026-09-24)
- https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/black-rock-desert-high-rock-canyon-emigrant-trails-nca (accessed 2026-09-25)
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/topn/black_rock_desert-high_rock_canyon_emigrant_trails_national_conservation_area_act_of_2000 (accessed 2026-09-25)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rock_Desert%E2%80%93High_Rock_Canyon_Emigrant_Trails_National_Conservation_Area (accessed 2026-09-24)