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The 30,000-acre, 12 mile long by 5 mile wide lake has a shoreline that varies from steep and rocky on the west side to sandy beaches on its east side. Walker Lake and the Sportsman's Beach Recreation Site is located in Mineral County, Nevada. This lake is a rare perennial lake of the Great Basin and is important for a variety of resident and migratory wildlife species. Approximately 38,000 acres in size, Walker Lake is the most prominent geographical feature in the region and the primary focal point for recreation in the area. Walker Lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities including swimming, picnicking, boating, bird watching, water-skiing and camping. Sportsman's Beach provides thirty one individual camp sites plus two undeveloped camping areas that accommodate RV and tent campers. Facilities include vault toilets, covered picnic tables, grills, pull through and back-in camp sites, paved access and a public boat ramp area. There is no potable water available at Sportman's Beach. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office, manages a Recreation Fee Program at Sportsman's Beach Recreation Site. Authorized by Congress, this program has been effective in collecting fees to help maintain facilities and enhance visitor services. We reinvest all fee money collected to improve and expand facilities at the site where it is collected. We plan to improve the facilities at Sportsman's Beach and to make facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. User fees at Sportsman's Beach are collected for overnight use of the area under the following schedule: Developed Camp Site: $6/night/vehicle $36/week/vehicle $2/night/vehicle Primitive Camp Area: $4/night/vehicle $22/week/vehicle America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes are honored. Walker Lake is an oasis for migratory birds including the common loon, snow geese, and white pelicans, several species of grebe, brants, and harlequin ducks. Snowy plovers feed along the shoreline and American avocets and black-necked stilts wade the shallows. Desert Bighorn sheep are often seen on the cliffs along the west side of the lake during the summer months and the occasional pronghorn antelope or wild horse can be spotted browsing along the eastern shore. Due to the declining water levels and the increase in salinity, fishing for Lahontan Cutthroat trout is no longer available. Sportsman's Beach provides 34 developed campsites with cabanas, picnic tables and vault toilets. Tamarack Beach and Twenty Mile Beach provide opportunities for dispersed camping for RV or tents along the shoreline.
15 miles north of Hawthorne on US 95
Sportsman and Walker Lake are must-stops on your drive down 95 - if anything, to stop and soak in the overload of landscapes here. The steep east slope of the Wassuk Range falls right into this ancient sea. Absolutely stunning. Bathrooms are clean, and the shaded windbreaks make a lovely place to think and ponder. You can tell even though Walker's silent, it's still well-loved by all.
The HUGE downside here is the lack of things to do - thanks to the now dead lake. Fish no longer live here, boats cannot be launched due to decreased water levels. Walker is a sad case of people's stupidity and negligence, but somehow, this ancient sea remains magical. Our fingers are crossed that she bounces back in the near future.
Dry camping at Walker Lake provides one with breathtaking views. No water available. Trash disposal only. Very clean. We were there in early April and had no problem getting a spot. Covered picnic tables at some sites. None in other areas. Please note! Contrary to other posts I've seen, this is NOT a free camping area.
Great place to stop and rest and let my dog explorer on a Reno to Vegas trip. I don't know about restrooms but they do have picnic tables and covered areas which I guess it must be busy in the summer months I was there in December
