Open year-round, Rye Patch State Recreation Area is situated on a 22-mile long reservoir that has 72 miles of shoreline and 11,000 acres of water surface when full. Visitors enjoy camping, picnicking, swimming and water-skiing, and fisherman delight in the available white bass, catfish, black bass and walleye. Trails around and throughout the park make it easy to enjoy the waterfowl and wildlife that abound, including hawks, eagles, owls, great egrets, antelope, deer and fox. The park also serves as a popular base camp for off-road vehicles, ghost town exploration and gold prospecting.
Camping: The river campground below Rye Patch Dam has 22 units, a restroom with flush toilets and hot showers. The campground on the reservoir’s west side has 25 units, a restroom with flush toilets and hot showers. A sanitary dump station with potable water is located on the dam’s west side. A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced.
Picnicking/Day Use: There are two designated, day use picnic areas. The river picnic area has tables, grills and restrooms. The west side group-use and picnic area has space for groups up to 100, with tables, grills, water and restrooms.
Boat Launching: A double-lane boat ramp and dock are next to the campground on the reservoir’s west side.
Fishing: Fishing for crappie, wipers, white bass, channel catfish, black bass and walleye is usually best in spring and early summer, with fall being a good season for catfish. Most anglers use worms or liver for catfish, minnows for wipers and jigs for crappie, walleye and bass. Bring your own bait since it often is not available in the area. A Nevada fishing license is required (buy online at ndow.org. See a Health Warning from the Department of Wildlife on consumption of fish.
Programs: The annual Rye Patch Nugget Shoot attracts visitors from across the country and across generations who enjoy metal detecting in the great outdoors. View the video of the 2016 Rye Patch Nugget Shoot.
More information about program scheduling may be obtained from either park staff or kiosks. Upon request, special presentations can be arranged for groups.
Hours: Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.
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Courtesy S. Ward – Lehman Caves, Great Basin National Park