Photo by DennyThurstonPhotography via iStock
Though northwestern Nevada might not have all the glitz and glam of Las Vegas or the name recognition of Lake Tahoe, there are still plenty of photography opportunities in this area.
Perhaps best known for Black Rock City - the host location for Burning Man - this part of Nevada is desolate, rugged, and full of beautiful and interesting landscapes.
In this travel and photography guide for northwestern Nevada, we offer insights into three of our favorite locations for photography.
Let's get to it!
What to Photograph in Northwestern Nevada - Black Rock Desert
Photo by mattnomad via iStock
The Black Rock Desert is a massive, protected area of nearly 315,000 acres.
Amongst all that acreage are an abundance of opportunities to photograph canyons, mountains, and even hot springs.
Much of the area is actually a playa - an enormous alkali flats - where you can take photos of the desert scene, capture images of landsailing, watch as people launch homemade rockets, and if you're timing is right, you can even catch the Burning Man Festival as well.
Photo by wundervisuals via iStock
Planning Your Black Rock Desert Trip
- Where to Stay: The Holiday Inn Express Winnemucca is about 76 miles away and is one of the closest hotels to the Black Rock Desert.
- Where to Eat: Bruno's Country Club offers a menu of traditional comfort food, and its location on Main Street in the town of Gerlach makes it one of the closest eateries to Black Rock Desert.
- Must-See Attractions: The Burning Man Festival turns the playa into a must-see event each year in the late summer. Visit the Burning Man website for dates and other details.
- Check the weather in Black Rock City right now.
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is Prime Wildlife Photography Territory
Photo by milehightraveler via iStock
Established in 1931 as an area to protect American pronghorn, the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is awash with all kinds of wildlife, including mule deer, sage grouse, pygmy rabbit, and many varieties of song birds and migratory birds, like the American bittern shown above.
The refuge is mostly high desert with wide-open spaces of sagebrush-covered prairie with narrow canyons and rolling valleys interspersed throughout.
There are also many mountain peaks and steep cliffs, giving you opportunities for many different kinds of landscape photography in addition to wildlife photography.
Some restrictions apply regarding photography. Visit the refuge's permit page to learn more.
Planning Your Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Trip
- Where to Stay: The Royal Peacock Opal Mine has a small RV Park, tent camping, and cabins. Be aware that the nearest full-service grocery store is 100 miles away and the closest gas station is 34 miles away. This area is extremely desolate!
- Where to Eat: Your best bet is to pack a lunch (maybe dinner too) ahead of time as there are very few places to eat, and what is available is prohibitively far away.
- Must-See Attractions: This area has an abundance of wildlife and sweeping vistas. Take a break from taking photos and simply enjoy watching wildlife or take in the sunset! The Thousand Creek Gorge (shown in the video above by Scott Waters) isn't bad either.
- Check the weather at the refuge right now.
Photograph the Mysterious Fly Geyser
Photo by Spencer Jones via iStock
Perhaps one of the most interesting features in northwestern Nevada is Fly Geyser.
The geyser is actually not natural - it was accidentally created as a result of drilling a well in 1964. When the drilling commenced, geothermal water emerged and has been flowing ever since.
The travertine mound that surrounds the geyser has continued to grow over the years, and will keep doing so while water is still flowing. Inside the mound, quartz has already started forming, which is unusual since quartz usually takes about 10,000 years to form.
Fly Geyser used to be on private property, but Burning Man has since purchased the land. There are guided tours are available depending on the time of year.
Photo by Pixonian via iStock
Planning Your Fly Geyser Photography Trip
- Where to Stay: Iveson Ranch offers primitive camping and a few dude ranch buildings that have been converted into guest rooms.
- Where to Eat: Since the Fly Geyser is close to the town of Gerlach, Bruno's Country Club is a good bet.
- Must-See Attractions: The so-called "Burner Byway" offers all kinds of interesting activities from photo ops to history lessons to scenic byways and much more.
- Check the weather at Fly Geyser right now.
This Nevada Photography and Travel Guide is Sponsored By:
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