Lincoln County: Nature, Trails and History

Lincoln County combines striking landscapes with opportunities for wildlife viewing and places where the history of mining and everyday life is visible. At Cathedral Gorge State Park, erosion and soft bentonite have created dramatic patterns. Kershaw-Ryan State Park showcases a different canyon landscape: its walls rise up to 700 feet above a lushly vegetated valley. Travelers who want to combine nature and culture can find a range of themes here, each of which can be explored on its own.

Landscapes, Trails and Wildlife Viewing

Several trails pass by distinctive natural features. The Waterfall Trail winds past streams, warm springs and waterfalls. The 2.5-mile Ash Canyon Trail leads through the park’s backcountry into the steep-walled areas of Ash Canyon. At Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, the three-mile Upper Lake Trail loops around the lake; there are year-round opportunities to observe waterfowl there. The different trail lengths provide a practical guide for planning your time, without implying a specific hiking time.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is in Lincoln County along an important waterfowl migration route between the Great Salt Lake and California’s Imperial Valley. Various ducks can be seen at Upper Pahranagat Lake in winter; bald eagles and ospreys come there to hunt. If you visit at another time of year, keep the seasonal distinction in mind: the information about winter sightings applies to that season, while the Upper Lake Trail offers opportunities for waterfowl viewing year-round.

The waterways also differ in their described uses. Eagle Valley Reservoir in Spring Valley State Park is managed as a put-and-take sport fishery; its primary fish species is rainbow trout. Check current regulations before fishing. Boating and swimming are allowed at the 65-acre reservoir in Echo Canyon State Park. It is also habitat for waterfowl such as mallards, teal and herons. Information about stocking the reservoir with rainbow trout, largemouth bass and crappie may change over time.

Pioche and Its Historic Heritage

Pioche was founded in 1869 after mines opened in the surrounding area. Thompson’s Opera House was built in 1870 as a public meeting place and was later converted into a theater. The building is also the starting point for a self-guided historical walking tour of Pioche that shares stories of silver mining. This offers two distinct ways to explore the town: its founding history and a themed walking tour.

Buildings and collections offer further glimpses into the past. The Stone Cabin in Spring Valley State Park provides a sense of pioneer-era life. The park also preserves ranch buildings from the late 19th century, including buildings from Rice Ranch and Millet Ranch. The Elgin Schoolhouse preserves numerous original school items. Tours take place on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment; check the information before your arrival.

In Pioche, Boot Hill Cemetery includes an area for deceased outlaws known as “Murderer’s Row.” Admission to the Lincoln County Historical Museum in Pioche is free; check this information before your visit. These stops add specific local and collection-related themes to the area’s architectural history, without requiring a particular tour.

Another Way to Explore the Region

The Silver State OHV Trail is located mostly in Lincoln County in southeastern Nevada. Staging areas and access roads to the trail are located along the Great Basin Highway. This gives visitors traveling the route another topic to explore alongside the hiking trails described above. Which landscapes or historical themes interest you most may help determine which destinations you choose in Lincoln County.

Discover more destinations: Panaca, Pioche, Lyon County, Elko County, Clark, Washoe, Lander County, Humboldt County.

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