BE PREPARED!

What should I bring when camping in the Black Rock Desert?

• food/water: One gallon of water per person per day. Most meals will be on your own.
• shelter: Tent camping from your car is easy to do. Some people just sleep in their truck. Travel trailers and RVs will find it easy to find a spot along the edge of the playa.
• appropriate clothing: Temperatures can vary from hot during the day (90 degrees F) to colder at night (40 degrees F). Wear layers and have an extra jacket or sweatshirt. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat. Some tours and activities will involve hiking, so bring good shoes. Gloves will be available for project volunteers, but you may use your favorites. Raingear always advisable.
• high-clearance vehicle: This is required for a High Rock Canyon tour, and a good idea for other tours. Some people may be able to ride with others. Be sure to have a full sized spare tire when possible, and also a working jack and lug wrench.
• chairs: We will have some chairs and tables available for group dining, but having your own chair is a good way to make sure you can sit comfortably for talks and socializing.
• radios: CB and FRS radios are great for staying in touch with other participants, and tour leaders may use them to give extra information while driving. Licensed amateur (ham) radio operators will find that we have great coverage, courtesy of Friends new repeater. Click here for frequency details.
• camera: It sure is pretty out here in the High Desert take lots of pictures! Share your good ones with us!

Camping at the Black Rock Rendezvous

Participants will camp over a dispersed area, with the Main Camp being along the edge of the playa about 3.2 miles north/northeast of the 12-mile desert entrance. To reduce erosion and damage, the dunes and hummock areas around the playa edge are closed to vehicle use, i.e. drive in camping. Walk in is permitted. There are a few suitable camping areas along the 2 track route between the playa and Cassidy Mine camp site (Photo to Right). This route is not maintained and is recommended for high clearance vehicles only and not suitable for towing trailers. If you are towing a vehicle and want to experience the panoramic views from Cassidy Mine (Photo Below). Then continue on Route 34 past the 12-mile desert entrance to Soldier Meadows Road then to the Cassidy Mine Road turn-off (See Map). Cassidy Mine Road is not without its hazards, but more suitable for towing trailers.

It is recommended that you check in with the camp host before setting up camp so that we may advise of fitting locations that match your camping comfort. There is a quiet family oriented camping area south of Main Camp and a camp area north for those that like to stay up late and listen to music.

Porta-potties will be provided, with a large bank at the Main Camp and a smaller one near Cassidy Mine. Please do not put trash into the porta-potties nothing that did not pass through your body, other than toilet paper.

Please respect other campers and be considerate of parents with children and others who may require quiet, especially in the evening. "Leave No Trace" means that there will be no garbage cans provided. Please be prepared to take all of your own trash and recycling with you.

In the event of rain, the playa surface becomes impassable to vehicles. If this should occur, it will be necessary to leave the playa immediately, either by taking the road from the Main Camp to Cassidy Mine, or by going back to the 12-mile desert entrance. The Cassidy-to-playa road is not suitable for long wheel base vehicles such as RVs.

BLM information on camping in the NCA: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo/blm_programs/recreation/camping.html

Friends of Black Rock blackrockdesert.org

Black Rock Rendezvous 2008

Cassidy Mine camp, 2006