Massacre Rim, Nevada
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Looking for an authentic desert camping scenario? A visit to Massacre Rim will get you ‘off the grid’ in the desert high country of northern Nevada. Located near the California-Oregon border, the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area was recently festablished as only the seventh Dark Sanctuary in the world, allowing for world-class stargazing.
In addition to spectacular starry nights, the area is a beautiful mountainous desert landscape that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The rugged terrain makes for a scenic camping destination that will truly make you feel like you are out in nature. If you’re up for it, channel your inner explorer and experience the humbling remoteness of the Massacre Rim area with Good Sam RV rentals.
What is a “Dark Sanctuary,” you ask? Essentially, the remarkable absence of light pollution allows truly spectacular and exceptional night skies. This makes Massacre Rim's Dark Sky Sanctuary an incredibly desirable destination for any amateur astronomer.
A telescope is a nice touch, so bring a compact one if you’ve got it, but it won’t be necessary to enjoy the vibrant night sky. Many visitors will get their first and purest look at the expansive Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy. Your best stargazing opportunities will be during the ‘new moon’ phase where there is minimal lunar light.
The eastern edge of Massacre Rim is bordered by the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. This nearly 600,000-acre sagebrush area was primarily established to protect the habitat of the pronghorn antelope and sage-grouse. Whether you're looking to shoot some photos or a rifle, the abundant wildlife of the Sheldon Refuge will not disappoint.
If you’d like to learn more about the ecology of the area, head to the centrally located visitor center. A variety of exhibits and knowledgeable refuge staff will show you just how special the area is. Here, you may also learn where to focus your efforts for whatever your wildlife-related aspirations might be.
At the southern border of Massacre Rim, the Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area is another northern Nevada gem. Once a frequently travelled area for settlers and explorers, over 100 miles of historic emigrant trails pass through its 800,000 acres. Visitors enjoy walking along these old wagon routes, imagining the hopes and dreams of our ancestors as they sought new opportunities.
Also consider a hike through High Rock Canyon. Situated on the Indian trail, early explorers made their way through the 16-mile canyon on their way to Oregon. The beautiful oranges and reds of the tall canyon walls are beautiful scenery for a hike along this historic route. Keep an eye up in the sky and you just might catch a glimpse of a soaring golden eagle.
At the southwest point of the rim, Painted Point will offer the best views around. With its peak at around 6,300 feet, a solid hike up the sagebrush covered-slope will lead you to the summit of Painted Point for an unparalleled 360-degree view of the desert mountain landscape. Bring your binoculars to truly appreciate this untouched wilderness.
While you're up on the summit, it is a great opportunity to look out for wildlife. Large predatory birds like golden eagles or hawks may be soaring above, watching for their next meal to scurry out of the brush below. Pronghorns and bighorn sheep may be observed on or around the slope as well. Speaking of wildlife, it is also a good idea to stay vigilant around the rocks and sagebrush as rattlesnakes will often use them as shelter.
The remoteness of the Massacre Rim area significantly limits human influence and pressure on the local ecosystem. In turn, the flourishing wildlife offers a variety of fantastic hunting opportunities. Hunters will enjoy both bird and big game hunting in this challenging environment.
Trophy mule deer with massive antler racks, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn have all been taken in the Massacre Rim area. Efforts should be focused around the few water sources in the area. In addition, the elusive sage-grouse is a reclusive resident of the thick sagebrush throughout the region. In order to flush them out, you’ll need to virtually step on them, so stay mobile and keep moving through the brush to cover more ground.
Under the direction of the Bureau of Land Management, you are allowed to camp in your RV in the Massacre Rim Area. Apart from finding a level piece of ground that’s at least 300 yards from any water source, you’ll want to make sure your generator is working well and that you have plenty of fuel. It will also be wise to have full water tanks. This won’t be a ‘Taj Mahal’ camping experience; you will be truly out in the wilderness.
Located in the Black Rock Desert to the south, Steven’s Camp is an RV-friendly primitive campsite. The dirt and gravel road up to the campground might be challenging for some drivers and an RV length limit of 24 feet is imposed. Once on site, campers will find running water (boil it first), picnic tables, fire rings, a vault toilet, and a grill.
If you are looking for a campground with amenities and activities in the area, your closest bet is the RV park at the Royal Peacock Opal Mine. Located within the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, the mine is still functional, and campers are allowed to go opal hunting, free of charge. The RV camping amenities are also impressive for the remote area, with full hookup access and 50-amp electrical service. Guests will also have Wi-Fi access, a laundry facility, and a bathhouse.
For a greener look at your RV campsite, consider heading over the border to Stough Campground in northern California. The camping area is located in the foothills of Bear Mountain on shady riverfront land. Although drinking water and vault toilets are available, you’ll need to be otherwise self-sufficient. The creeks and rivers in the area have some excellent trout fishing so bring your pole.
About 15 miles across the border in California, the Sunrise Motel and RV Park is also a good option for folks looking for a few more amenities in their camping experience. The eight RV campsites offer 50-amp electrical with full hookups. There is also a dump station on site for your convenience. Additional amenities include grills, restrooms, laundry facilities, and plenty of land nearby for hiking.
For all intents and purposes, you are in the ‘middle of nowhere.’ The only dining you will be doing at Massacre Rim will either involve food you have brought with you, or food you have hunted off the land.
Even the options outside of Massacre Rim are farther than most people would consider ‘reasonable’ for a drive to dinner. Some of the closest restaurants and grocery stores are more than hour and a half away. In addition, it’s not exactly the easiest task to get your RV to these campsites in the first place, so you’ll probably only want to drive again when it’s time to move on.
More than likely, your launching point for the remote drive up to Massacre Rim will be through the town of Winnemucca. Here you will find plenty of grocery stores to stock up for the trip and it’s also a great place to grab a meal. Here, you’ll find plenty of Mexican as well as sushi, Basque, pizza, Korean, and traditional American fare. Pick up your Winnemucca, Nevada RV rental while there.
Your RV camping experience at Massacre Rim won’t be a cushy one, but your efforts will be rewarded by some of the purest natural experiences you may ever have in your lifetime. Are you up for it?