Humboldt County: Deserts, Mountains and Culture

In Humboldt County, open desert landscapes meet mountain wilderness and a rich cultural history. Black Rock Desert Wilderness lies in the western part of the county and covers 314,835 acres. Its vast desert playa is also a remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahontan. Both the present-day landscape and its geological past are part of the region’s character.

Landscapes and Wildlife

Western Humboldt County is also home to South Jackson Mountains Wilderness and the eastern and western Black Rock Range Herd Management Areas. The Santa Rosa Ranger District covers more than 280,000 acres in Humboldt County. These areas offer a sense of the landscape’s vastness, though they may not all provide the same nature experience. The Black Rock Range Herd Management Areas are home to mule deer, pronghorn, California bighorn sheep, brook trout, quail, chukar and sage-grouse.

Visitors also come to Humboldt County for desert and mountain hunting. The landscapes mentioned for fishing include remote mountains, nearby canyons, secluded reservoirs and alpine streams. Travelers planning their trip around nature and outdoor activities can explore a range of options, from wildlife in the Herd Management Areas to hunting and fishing areas across varied terrain.

Hiking and Climbing

The main access to Black Rock Desert Wilderness is via BLM and county roads along its eastern and northern boundaries. Road conditions can vary, so take them into account when planning your drive. In South Jackson Mountains Wilderness, a hike leads through rugged canyons to the 8,923-foot King Lear Peak. The same peak also offers opportunities for scrambling and technical climbing. There are different ways to enjoy the area: hike through the canyons to the summit or explore the climbing options at King Lear Peak.

The history of the protected areas is also part of getting to know the region. Pine Forest Range Wilderness was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System on December 19, 2014, through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. This date marks a more recent chapter in the history of protected areas; Black Rock Desert Wilderness, in turn, is a geological remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahontan.

Cultural History and Museums

The Humboldt Museum presents exhibits on the region’s Western, Basque, Chinese and Indigenous cultural history. It also features a complete woolly mammoth skeleton and fossils of an ichthyosaur species discovered in the nearby Black Rock Desert. The exhibits span topics from human history to prehistoric finds.

The Humboldt Museum grounds include several historic buildings: the former Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, built in 1907; the Greinstein Building, built in the 1880s; and the Richardson–Saunders House, built in 1899. Their different construction dates give each building its own historical context. The Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum showcases memorabilia and photographs celebrating more than 70 Hall of Fame members.

Food and events also tell the story of regional traditions. The Martin Hotel opened in 1898 to serve Basque sheepherders and is a Basque dining house. The Tri-County Fair & Stampede continues a tradition dating back to 1885. If you’d like to plan your visit around the event, check the specific dates as you plan your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Paradise Valley, Winnemucca, Lincoln County, White Pine County, Carson City, Nye, Lander County, Washoe

For the main travel overview: Nevada.