Lyon County: Nature, History and Events

In Lyon County, you can make outdoor experiences, historic places and local events the focus of your trip. At Lahontan Reservoir, recreational activities include fishing, boating and water skiing. Lahontan State Recreation Area is a nesting area for bald eagles—a special connection to the area’s wildlife.

Water, Wildlife and Trails

Lahontan State Recreation Area can be reached via several entrances from U.S. 50 and one entrance from U.S. 95A. Because road conditions can change, it’s worth checking them before you set out. In Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area, the Walker River floodplain winds through the area, providing food, shelter and water for numerous wildlife species. Hinkson Slough is one of the area’s premier fishing ponds and produces trophy-sized trout; catches and conditions can change.

Nearby Mason Valley is known as the “Onion Capital of the West.” Millions of pounds of onions are grown, packed and shipped around the world there each year; production varies from year to year. Along with waterways and wildlife viewing, local agriculture is another part of what shapes the area’s character.

Historic Places along the Carson River and in Dayton

At Fort Churchill State Historic Park, the ruins of Fort Churchill are preserved in a state of arrested decay. The Carson River is the only year-round surface water source near the park. A 2.2-mile nature trail runs one way along the river, connecting Buckland Station and Fort Churchill and passing between two historic sites.

Buckland Station offers a self-guided tour of the historic house’s ground floor. Practical visitor information can change, so it’s a good idea to check before your visit. At Dayton State Park, the Rock Point Mill, built in 1861, tells the story of early ore processing from the Comstock Lode: it was one of the first mills of its kind. Two short hikes lead either to the Carson River or to the Rock Mill Site.

The landscape of Dayton State Park is also characteristic of the Great Basin. Its desert vegetation includes cottonwoods, sagebrush, rabbitbrush and willows. Those looking to combine history and nature will find both the story of the mill and trails leading to different destinations.

Yerington, Local Culture and Events

From Yerington, visitors can reach Pitchfork Ranch via Highway 208 and East Walker Road; it’s another four miles to the entrance. Road conditions can change, so it’s a good idea to check the route before setting out. Near the host community of Yerington, Night in the Country is held annually as a three-day event featuring camping and country music. The Grange campgrounds used for the event can accommodate more than 3,000 RVs and tents; capacity and arrangements may change.

The Lyon County Fair and Rodeo is held every August at the Lyon County Fair Grounds. The program includes a rodeo, a fair, a carnival, a demolition derby, tractor races and a parade. Since dates and program details can change, it’s a good idea to check event information before your trip.

The Jeanne Dini Center began as a community schoolhouse and opened for the 1912–1913 school year. That year, 130 students attended the school. The Lyon County Museum displays clothing, household items and clocks, as well as a barbershop, kitchen, bedroom and courthouse office. Photos and exhibits also focus on Anaconda Copper Co. in Weed Heights, a major local industrial operation from 1951 to 1978.

The “Desert Tortoise” sculpture in Main Street Art Park in Fernley is 25 feet long and 17 feet high. Fernley 95A Speedway hosts national and local racing events, including the National Sprint Car Racing Series, midget races and go-kart races. Race dates may change. Another cultural perspective can be found at the small on-site museum at Mary & Moe’s Wigwam Restaurant & Casino: it displays artifacts of Nevada’s Northern Paiute Tribes, including arrowheads, ancient stone tools, beadwork and intricately woven baskets.

Check the dates for each event before planning your outings.

Discover more destinations: Fernley, Yerington, White Pine County, Storey County, Douglas County, Washoe, Lincoln County, Clark.

For the broader travel overview: Nevada.