WINNEMUCCA, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Management, Black Rock Field Office, in coordination with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (PLPT) wants to remind visitors headed to Black Rock Playa and Pyramid Lake to recreate responsibly.
In typical years, most event participants travel to the Black Rock Desert via State Routes 445, 446, and 447 that traverse the PLPT Reservation. While Burning Man’s organizers canceled the 2021 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PLPT is still anticipating a significant influx of visitors that will be traveling through the Reservation. Please visit www.PyramidLake.us for more information, including access to the Tribe’s Regulation Brochure.
The PLPT would like to remind those who plan to participate in activities on the playa to consider their impact on the Reservation and to abide by the Pyramid Lake Tribal Code and Regulations:
- Visitors who wish to swim or camp around Pyramid Lake must purchase a valid tribal permit. Permits may be purchased at stores located throughout the tribal communities, or online at https://pyramidlake.us/permits or at the Ranger Station in Sutcliffe, NV.
- The following areas are closed to the public: Needles area, Anaho Island, Marble Bluff Area, Beehives and the Pyramid/Stonemother.
- The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has adopted CDC mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including requiring masks, social distancing, and limiting the number of people within a confined area. If you are sick, stay home.
- There will be no trash collection services on the Reservation. Trash collection sites are reserved for visitors of Pyramid Lake. Trash and recycling locations can be found in cities and towns nearby outside of the Reservation. Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
- Visitors must secure their loads in truck bed or trailer to prevent hazardous road debris. Secure your load with straps, rope, net and or tarps where appropriate.
- When using safety chains with a trailer, ensure they are not dragging on the pavement to prevent wildfires.
- The collection, excavation or vandalism of archeological artifacts is prohibited on the Reservation and public lands.
- Speed limits will be strictly enforced. Be courteous to Tribal members as they cross the road or try to access businesses and services or their homes.
- Please be respectful of the lake and land, as they are considered sacred and home to threatened and endangered species.
Medical resources are very limited on the playa and reservation, so please recreate safely. All visitors to the region should be self-sufficient.
Additional safety tips include:
- Responsible public recreation includes fire safety, please understand current fire restrictions and risk levels while recreating on public lands. Fire information can be found at https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/
- Campfires must be constructed in a fire pan
- Storage of over 20 gallons of fuel must include secondary containment capable of holding and preventing leaks and spills
- All vehicles and trailers must comply with state regulations
- Camping use is limited to the flat and un-vegetated playa surface
For more information about recreating on Black Rock Playa call 775-623-1500. For more information about Pyramid Lake call (775) 476-1155.