Churchill County: Desert, Water and History

A large sand dune, a wildlife refuge with a variety of wetlands, and a field of petroglyphs reflect the different sides of Churchill County. Historic sites, a museum, whiskey tastings, and organized drag races are also among the experiences you can consider when planning your trip. You can tailor your stay to the landscape, culture, or activities that interest you.

Landscapes and Outdoor Activities

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 80,000 acres of varied landscapes: freshwater and brackish marshes, river corridors, alkaline beaches, desert scrub, sand dunes, and an island in a desert lake. Designated trails with interpretive signs offer the chance to explore the area on foot. A driving loop runs from Stillwater Point Reservoir around Lower Foxtail Lake. The trails and loop offer different ways to experience the landscape; plan your time according to the kind of outing you want to take.

The Sand Mountain Recreation Area on U.S. 50 in Churchill County, 25 miles southeast of Fallon, features a different kind of landscape. Sand Mountain is about 3.5 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 600 feet high. It is considered the largest single dune in the Great Basin. The designated trail system offers 23 miles of riding. The measurements give a sense of the dune’s scale; the designated route offers another way to experience the area.

Boating, fishing, water skiing, horseback riding, and camping are available year-round at Lahontan State Recreation Area. The area is also a breeding ground for bald eagles. This means a range of water-based activities sits alongside a distinctive aspect of natural history. If you’re planning your trip around recreational activities, you can weigh these options against the region’s desert landscapes and trails.

Rock Art and History

Grimes Point is a field of basalt boulders with a glossy black desert-varnish patina and petroglyphs. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The combination of striking rock formations and petroglyphs makes Grimes Point a destination for travelers interested in landscape and history.

Hidden Cave also tells a story of the land’s use long ago. The ancestors of the Toi-Ticutta used the cave as a storage place about 3,800 years ago, not as a dwelling. Public tours take place on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, except on holiday weekends. Hidden Cave is accessible only as part of a scheduled tour. Check the tour date before you arrive so you can plan your visit accordingly.

More than 16,000 objects are displayed in 14,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Churchill County Museum & Archives. Opening hours vary by season: From March through November, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From December through February, hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No donation is required for admission. If you’re planning a museum visit, check the seasonal schedule before your trip.

The Oats Park Art Center preserves local heritage and complements the historical sites with a cultural destination. Together with the museum’s collections and the sites at Grimes Point and Hidden Cave, it offers options for a range of interests in history and culture.

Tastings, Events and Getting Your Bearings

Frey Ranch offers a complimentary whiskey tasting and a 30-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery. The tour shows how award-winning whiskey is made from grain grown on the ranch. Since the tasting room and tour are business offerings, check their availability before you arrive.

Lattin Farms’ Fall Festival features a corn maze and a pumpkin patch. The event and activities are seasonal, so check the dates before your trip. For motorsports fans, Top Gun Dragstrip hosts a full season of organized drag races for participants, families, and fans. The dragstrip is on Highway 95, about 15 miles south of Fallon.

The directions from Fallon help you put two destinations in perspective: Sand Mountain Recreation Area is 25 miles southeast of Fallon, and Top Gun Dragstrip is about 15 miles south. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, plan around the experiences that matter most to you and take each destination’s location into account.

Explore more destinations: Fallon, Nye, Storey County, Lyon County, Clark, Washoe, Carson City, White Pine County.

For the broader travel overview: Nevada.