North Black Rock Range

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Remote and beautiful, the North Black Rock Range Wilderness will enchant you. Trout-filled creeks wind their way through deep canyons shaded by trees. Plan a hike to the scenic headwaters, and you may even spot a few waterfalls.

Wilderness Reference Map

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About the North Black Rock Range Wilderness

Among the many remarkable features of the 30,647-acre North Black Rock Range Wilderness are colorful cliffs of volcanic tuff. From their height, you can look out over Summit Lake to the west, which, along with the cliffs, were shaped by a massive landslide approximately twenty thousand years ago.

Elevations in this wilderness range from 4,800 to 8,400 feet. Deep valleys invite you down to the tree-lined banks of the Coleman, Soldier, and Battle Creeks, which support reintroduced populations of threatened Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.

Naturally, these plentiful riparian habitats attract wildlife and hunters to the area. Game species include deer, antelope, chukar, and valley quail.

Coleman Creek and other canyons in the area are excellent choices for your day hiking or backpacking adventures. A hike to the headwaters of Colman Creek is especially rewarding, with interesting rock formations and several small waterfalls waiting to be discovered.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible during the winter. And for some exciting four-wheel driving or mountain biking, head for the rugged dirt routes forming the Wilderness boundaries.

The Summit Lake Indian Reservation lies directly north of this Wilderness Area. Please be respectful of the reservation and stay on existing roads if you travel through the reservation to get to the North Black Rock Range Wilderness.

North Black Rock Range Wildlife

  • California Bighorn Sheep
  • Pronghorn Antelope
  • Wild Horse
  • Chukar
  • Sage Grouse
  • Warbling Vireo
  • Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
  • American Badger
  • Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
  • Racer
  • Western Whiptail
  • Mule Deer
  • Mountain Lion
  • Dark Kangaroo Mouse
  • Gopher Snake
  • Long-eared Myotis
  • Silver-haired Bat
  • Sage Thrasher

How to Get to the North Black Rock Range Wilderness

The North Black Rock Range Wilderness Area is located in western Humboldt County, about a 4-hour drive from Reno and 70 miles from Gerlach along Soldier Meadows Road,  Humboldt County Road 200, which forms the western boundary of the Wilderness.

Accessing the northern and eastern boundaries requires driving on extremely steep and rough routes requiring high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles..

As mentioned above, if you do come through the Summit Lake Indian Reservation that lies to the north of this area, please be respectful and stay on existing roads.