Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway
Pyramid Lake Tour
| Departure: | Sparks, Nevada |
|---|---|
| Destination: | Wadsworth, Nevada |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Byway travelers can start in either Sparks or Wadsworth, because the driving directions given here start and end in the Reno/Sparks area. Beginning in Sparks you can take State Route 445 north bound to Sutcliffe to enjoy fishing, swimming, and having a picnic along the west shore of Pyramid Lake. On your way you’ll pass places like Mullen Pass, you can stop at the turnout on the left for a scenic vista of the lake. If you get a chance to visit here as the sun sets, the Pyramid, Anaho Island, and the slopes of the Lake Range may be bathed in a red glow.
From the view of Pyramid Lake the Tufa Rocks formed by hot springs await your arrival just a few minutes down the road. As you venture on you’ll come to the Visitor Center and Tribal Museum and fish hatcheries to find out about the area's natural history and the tribe's fisheries program. Take a walk along the wetlands nature trail where you can experience the unique habitats of the river valley.
-
Start: Sparks
Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Visit the Sparks Heritage Museum, the Family Adventure Park, or the Victorian Square. Around the end of July or the beginning of August you can visit Hot August Nights, the largest automotive event within the United States.
-
Stop 2: Sutcliffe
Directions from previous place: Drive on State Road 445, also known as Pyramid Way, northbound until you reach Sutcliffe, NV.
Distance from Previous Site: 33.39 miles / 53.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 45 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Stop in Sutcliffe to prepare for some fishing.
-
Stop 3: Pyramid Rock
Directions from previous place: From Sutcliffe you can make your way down to the Marina, or any side road that leads to the lake to view Anaho Island or The Pyramid at Pyramid Lake. Since these places are closer to the east side of the Lake it's best to bring your binoculars along.
Distance from Previous Site: 4.3 miles / 6.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Pyramid Lake is a popular spot for outdoor recreation and water sports, as well as unique geological features.
-
Stop 4: Anaho Island
Directions from previous place: From Sutcliffe you can make your way down to the Marina, or any side road that leads to the lake to view Anaho Island or The Pyramid at Pyramid Lake. Since these places are closer to the east side of the Lake it's best if you bring your binoculars along.
Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Anaho Island, located in Pyramid Lake, is one of the only pelican nesting sites in North America.
-
Stop 5: Tufa Formations
Directions from previous place: Continue southward along State Road 446, also known as Sutcliffe Highway. Stop when you arrive at Indian Head Rock.
Distance from Previous Site: 1 miles / 1.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 3 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes The tufa formations at Pyramid Lake are made of calcium carbonate deposits formed by precipitation over hot springs.
-
Stop 6: Paiute Tribe Museum & Visitor Center
Directions from previous place: Continue southeast on State Road 446, turn left onto State Street in Nixon, the address is 709 State Street, Nixon, Nevada 89424.
Distance from Previous Site: 11.39 miles / 18.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 17 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes This Pyramid Lake Tribal Museum in Nixon will acquaint visitors with the history and culture of the Paiute Tribe of Pyramid Lake.
-
Stop 7: Marble Bluff Fish Hatchery
Directions from previous place: From the Tribal Museum and Visitor Center follow State Road 447 northward. Keep following State Road 447, once you pass Winnemucca Street turn left onto the next road on State Road 447, follow this road town to the Marble Bluff Dam where the Marble Bluff Fish Facility is located.
Distance from Previous Site: 4.3 miles / 6.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes The Marble Bluff Dam prevents the endangered cui ui, threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout, and other fish from migrating up into the Truckee River to spawn. Marble Bluff Fish Facility is critical to moving the endangered Cui ui around the dam.
-
Stop 8: Historical Marker 148
Directions from previous place: If you wish, from the Marble Bluff Fish Hatchery you can continue driving north on State Road 447 and take a side road to get a closer look at The Pyramid and Anaho Island on the east side of the Lake. Otherwise, the Historical Marker 148 is 7 miles south of Nixon along State Road 447. Follow State Road 447 southward until you find signs for the Historical Marker 148.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 30 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes In 1860, two battles occured between the white settlers and the Paiute Indians at Pyramid Lake.
-
Stop 9: Numana Fish Hatchery
Directions from previous place: The Numana Fish Hatchery is located on State Road 447 south of the Historical Marker 148. Look for the signs just a few miles down the road.
Distance from Previous Site: 2 miles / 3.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 7 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes This visitor center explains the purpose of the hatchery and includes a photo display of the people of Pyramid Lake.
-
End: Wadsworth
Directions from previous place: Continue south along State Road 447 to Wadsworth.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 30 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes This town is known as the gateway to the Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway.
