Recently, while traveling through the remote Northwestern corner of Nevada, I decided to take a short drive a few miles off the main gravel road to have a look at the seldom seen Massacre Lake.
Over the past several years we have been exploring this remote corner of The Great Basin, which contains several interesting areas, and the wet winter of 2022/2023 had produced enough precipitation to actually fill up Massacre Lake. Massacre Lake is huge, shallow, and sits in a massive high desert filled with sage. It is also part of the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area and the Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary (see links below).
I've been wanting to go out there and spend a couple nights during a new moon to experience the dark sky sanctuary, and figured this was a good chance to suss out the lake and locate a few decent camping sites.
Just as I thought, it's an amazing place and would be perfect to stretch out on the playa dust and pass away the night star gazing.
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| Massacre Rim dark Sky Sanctuary information along Road 8A. |
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| On the two lane track heading out to Massacre Lake. That is the Massacre Rim on the horizon. |
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| A nice dispersed camping site close to the lake. |
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| A good access road goes futher around the lake. |
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| The lake was pretty full in June 2023, but no telling how long it will last. |
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| Looking Southeast back towards Road 8A. |
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| A nice open spot for a campsite. Bring your own shade! |
More Info About The Area...
Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary: https://www.blm.gov/massacre-rim-dark-sky-sanctuary
BLM Massacre Ranch: https://www.blm.gov/visit/massacre-ranch-recreation-area
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge: https://travelnevada.com/wildlife/sheldon-national-wildlife-refuge/
Steven's Camp/Upper High Rock Canyon Trail: https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/may-june-2015/2437/
DISCLAIMER: This area is remote with no services or cell reception. Be informed, be equipped, and be prepared to take care of yourself. Having a high clearance 4x4 vehicle with tools and a full size spare, and traveling with a small group of other vehicles is recommended.
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