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Travelers who want to find the best outdoor adventure during the summer but want nothing to do with crowds should check out this little visited state park in Nevada. Draped around its reservoir, Rye Patch State Recreation Area is open to visitors 24 hours a day this summer.

Visitors to the park can engage in a variety of outdoor activities as well as camping. With the long reservoir and stunning southwestern terrain, travelers should take some time out of their schedules and just relax and enjoy the solitude of this state park.

Rye Patch State Recreation Area, a Park For Yourself

The summer months in Nevada may be known for their heat but should also be known for some of the best scenery and sightseeing that the Silver State has to offer. For an ideal getaway in Nevada, travelers should check out Rye Patch State Recreation Area, where visitors won’t have to worry much about space. This state park can be found in Lovelock, Nevada. The park takes massive advantage of its proximity to its 22-mile-long reservoir!

At Rye Patch State Recreation Area, travelers can enjoy some of the relaxing geographies that Nevada has to offer. The park covers 2,400 acres of the Silver State, offering up the best of what the American southwest has to offer.

  • Hours - Always Open
  • Entrance Fees (see all park fees) - $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles)
  • Contact Us - 775-442-0135, rpsra@parks.nv.gov
  • Address - 2505 Rye Patch Reservoir Rd. Lovelock, NV 89419

How to Get There

Travelers can simply reach the park by taking I80 towards Lovelock, Nevada. They will need to turn off I80 onto route 402. Travelers will need to look out for the Humboldt River Ranch scenic pull-off just near the Humboldt River Dam. The dam itself is excellent for photos before continuing on to Rye Patch Reservoir Road, where visitors will find places to park their cars or RVs.

Related: Nevada's Largest Botanical Cactus Garden Is Right Outside The Vegas Strip

Camping In Rye Patch State Recreation Area

For those that love camping, Rye Patch State Recreation Area offers many fantastic sites for camping. Travelers can easily plan to spend a night or longer here. With restrooms, flushing toilets, and hot showers, this is camping made comfortable. Sure, there are still more remote locations for those who don’t value amenities. However, this is an ideal destination for groups looking for great views, a chance for a picnic, and a closeness to nature but with some comforts baked in.

Travelers to the park should be aware of a couple of things. The camping limit is 14 days in a 30-day period. Visitors can check the park's website for updated information.

  • Camping - $15.00 per vehicle, per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $20.00 per vehicle, per night)

Boating and Fishing in Rye Patch State Recreation Area

The water in the reservoir is crystal clear. For visitors to the park, it's hard not to see someone enjoying the water. There are a few ways to appreciate the reservoir. One is to get on the water for some boating. Another option is fishing. The reservoir is home to much fish life and great scenery; travelers, love spending time on the shore soaking up the sights and hoping to catch a fish.

What Fish to expect

Visitors looking for great fishing won’t be disappointed. There is quite a variety of fish to be discovered in the reservoir catfish, walleye, white bass, and black bass are just some of the species that can be found here. Visitors should bring their own bait and fishing license as those will be required!

  • Crappie
  • Wipers
  • White Bass
  • Channel Catfish
  • Black Bass
  • Walley

Boating Entry

Travelers with boats can venture over to the west side of the reservoir, where they will find a double-lane boat ramp and dock. With a 22-mile-long waterway, travelers exploring the reservoir will have much to do.

  • Boat Launch - $10.00 (Non-NV Vehicles: $15.00)

Related: Visiting Kiel Ranch: Nevada's Lesser-Known Tragic Ghost Town

Hiking in Rye Patch State Recreation Area

Rye Patch State Recreation Area is home to many marked and meandering trails that will take visitors on fun explorations of the park.

West Hiking Trail

At 0.3 miles (0.5 km), The West Hiking Trail is an out-and-back trail that is considered to be a fairly easy hike. There is some up-and-down during the adventure, but at such a short distance, it would be hard to call it challenging in any way. Being right next to the coast, this hike offers stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding area.

  • Length - 0.5 km (0.3 miles)
  • Duration - 10 minutes
  • Average Gradient - 9.6%
  • Difficulty - Easy
  • Route Type - Out-and-Back

East Cove Trail

On the northeastern side of the reservoir, travelers can engage in what is the longest and considered the most difficult hike here, though it still isn’t overly challenging. The East Cove Trail is an out-and-back loop that takes visitors from the East Cover-up and along the reservoir's tributaries for 0.5 miles (0.8 km).

  • Length - 0.8 km (0.5 miles)
  • Duration - 30 minutes
  • Average Gradient - 3.2%
  • Difficulty - Easy
  • Route Type - Out-and-Back

Rye Patch River Nature Trail

One trail to check for visitors to the park is the short 0.3-km (0.1 miles) out-and-back trail named Rye Patch River Natural Trail. This trail is located on the eastern side of the river just south of the reservoir, and those on the trail may encounter those birding, camping, and fishing, but otherwise, not much. On another note, pets are welcome but must stay on a leash for this hike.

  • Length - 0.3 km (0.1 miles)
  • Duration - 5 minutes
  • Elevation gain - 8 m
  • Difficulty - Easy
  • Route type - Out & back
  • Trail Map

Photography

Many of the attractions that travelers will discover when they visit the park can be a bit whimsical and almost magical in nature. This park is extremely photogenic, and travelers will be able to take some incredible memories home with them.