Walker Lake is situated in the Great Basin region approximately 115 miles southeast of Reno.  The lake covers an area of about 38,000-acres making it one of two remaining natural lakes in Nevada since the Pleistocene era.  It is 11 miles long, 5-miles wide with a maximum depth of around 80 feet.  It is a remnant of the original Lake Lahontan, like Pyramid Lake.

The lake is fed primarily by the Walker River but does not drain into any other water body – it is a terminal lake (meaning it is part of an endoreic basin — it does not have an outlet).  The lack of an outlet contributes to the high salinity of the lake.

Over the years, the salinity of Walker Lake has increased, largely due to reduced inflows and increased evaporation leading to concerns about the health of the lake’s ecosystem and its ability to support various forms of aquatic life.  Despite these challenges, Walker Lake is home to a wide variety of bird species and the surrounding area provides habitat for other wildlife, especially bighorn sheep.

In addition to birdwatching, fishing, boating, hunting (except for the bighorn sheep), hiking and camping are very popular.  Fishing enthusiasts may find Lahontan cutthroat trout, white bass and catfish in the lake.

The area has historical and cultural significance for Native American communities including the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

When visiting the area, stop by the recently opened Bighorn Crossing where there is a snack bar, store, souvenirs, restrooms and viewing area to search the mountains for bighorn sheep.  The friendly staff will give you hints on spotting the animals hidden cleverly amongst the boulders.  In addition, you can learn about activities in the area.

If you are continuing south toward the Las Vegas area, make sure to stop in Hawthorne at the Hawthorne Ordnance Museum that houses a collection of military artifacts, equipment and ordnance items related to the history of the Hawthorne Army Depot.

For all you Travel Time Members, be sure to share your experiences with us on Travel Time NV Chat!  We’d love to see your photos… and maybe they will even be worthy of entering into one of our photo contests.  Try not to take a photo of a “white rock” instead of a bighorn sheep!