The Final Stretch to Black Rock City — In the heart of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation and America’s Solar Highway
Pyramid Lake is an ancient, culturally significant lake located in the heart of the Paiute tribal reservation 35 miles northeast of Reno, midway between Reno and the Black Rock Desert. Most people traveling to Black Rock City from the south, east, and west via State Routes 445, 446, and 447 will pass by this wonderful lake and northwards through Nixon on their way to the playa.
The Pyramid Lake community — which includes the towns of Nixon and Sutcliffe, and Wadsworth to the south — has been a supportive neighbor and partner to Burning Man over its history. Please do visit with care and consideration for their community, speed limits, and respect the resources you use and visit.
Coming into Nixon, the traveler will find The Nixon Store with gas and last-minute supplies, as well as the breath-taking Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitor’s Center nearby filled with tribe, land, and lake history. Additionally, there will be several roadside shops in Nixon very accommodating with native food and crafts, last-minute supplies, services, and very warm hospitality. The Tribe encourages people to only buy food from vendors with a Food Handlers Permit from HIS (Indian Health Service), and to only dump their trash with vendors who have a trash permit from the Tribe.
It is highly recommended to check out Pyramid Lake, itself, if you have the time. Guaranteed to be a moving experience, whether you spend a few hours or camp overnight, especially after a week on the playa. DO NOT LEAVE ANY OF YOUR TRASH THERE! This includes using lake dumpsters for your bulk items or packed out trash from the event. These dumpsters are needed to support recreation at the lake.
Day-use recreational activities and overnight camping around and upon the lake require a permit. Permits can be purchased at various locations in Nixon, Sutcliffe, Wadsworth, and in Reno/Sparks. Proceeds from the sale of permits help support the Tribal Government and the water quality and environmental programs that protect the unique eco-system of Pyramid Lake year round.
You can purchase permits online here. Information on local businesses and other resources can also be found below. For further information about Pyramid Lake and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, check here.
It is also important to note that, due to vandalism, graffiti, and theft over the years, the east side of the lake, Anajo Island, The Pyramid, and The Needles on the north side of the lake, are off-limits to everyone but tribe members. Moreover, please do not do any artifact or souvenir hunting. Not only is it illegal. It is disrespectful of the tribe, their heritage, and the land and lake. AND AGAIN, DO NOT LEAVE ANY OF YOUR TRASH! In short: Leave No Trace.
Finally, solar energy installations can be found throughout Nixon, thanks in large part to local efforts and partnerships with Black Rock Solar. As of 2012, the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe had installed over 301 kW in solar panels on their public and government buildings. If you are in Nixon and have an interest in solar energy, check out the Pyramid Lake Museum array–it is in the shape of an arrowhead and was designed by Matthew Deluge and Wakan Waci “Konch” Blindman, a member of the Black Rock Solar crew and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. In 2010, in partnership with Black Rock Solar, the Governor of Nevada declared Highway 447 America’s Solar Highway, a 75-mile stretch of highway that has more than 448 kW of solar installed.
A Final Note to Travelers
PLEASE drive the posted speed limit, and keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you while traveling throughout the reservation. Please also SLOW DOWN to 25mph when passing through Wadsworth, Nixon, and Sutcliffe, and be especially cautious and mindful of children at play and residents accessing their homes, businesses, or tribal services—or simply crossing the road. Finally, throughout this last stretch of your journey to BRC, keep a steady hand on the wheel and a careful eye out for wandering cows, horses, jackrabbits, and other creatures along the road — this is wide-open country. AND LEAVE NO TRACE!