If you ask a Nevada resident about the best places to visit in the Silver State, they’ll likely point you to the real Nevada. The real Nevada can’t be found in the cities. It can be found in our state’s unspoiled landscapes—the types of places where wilderness is still wild and people aren’t easy to come by. If you’re the type of person that agrees with this definition of Nevada then you’ll definitely want to be aware of a little-known area called High Rock Canyon. This wilderness area is as unspoiled as it gets, and it’s a must for any adventurer.
Explore one of the most wild landscapes that Nevada has to offer when you plan an adventure in High Rock Canyon Wilderness. This little-known area of Nevada's backcountry boasts breathtaking scenery, endless recreational opportunities, and an experience you'll never forget.
Located in Northern Nevada and bordering the famed Black Rock Desert, the High Rock Canyon Wilderness stretches for a whopping 46,464 acres. Comprised of mountains, valleys, canyons, and desert scenery that seems to go on forever, the wilderness area's jaw-dropping beauty is hard to put into words.
What makes this stunning region so special is just how unspoiled it is. There is little evidence that humans have ever stepped foot in High Rock Canyon, and that's just how we like it. There's something about knowing how this landscape hasn't changed in centuries that makes it all the more memorable.
One of the region's most notable features is the Mahogany Creek canyon which boasts sheer basalt walls that narrow into the tiniest of slot canyons. These towering canyon walls are unlike anything you've seen before, and you can't help but feel minuscule standing next to them.
In fact, the area is just full of geologic points of interest. The remnants of dark lava flows that helped to shape the area around 17 million years ago can still be seen, along with gashes and mountains formed by shifting tectonic plates.
All in all, the area makes for an excellent destination when it comes to off-roading (via the Applegate Lassen Emigrant Trail), hiking, backpacking, hunting, or wildlife viewing. Keep your eyes peeled for notable species such as eagles, mountain lions, antelope, bobcats, wild horses, and bighorn sheep.
It's hard to believe such a pristine landscape isn't more well-known here in Nevada, but we suppose that's exactly what's kept it so pristine. See this unspoiled landscapes for yourself for an adventure that truly shows off Nevada's beauty.
