Bruno's Service Station
Fuel service is listed at 565 Main Street in Gerlach. Treat this as a remote last-stop option rather than a guaranteed around-the-clock service.
Call ahead: 775-557-2272Gerlach, NV: Your Black Rock Desert Basecamp | CIWILD
Gateway town guide
Gerlach, Nevada
Your basecamp for the playa
The last small service community before the Black Rock Desert. Use Gerlach and nearby Empire to confirm conditions, top off fuel, collect supplies, and make a conservative backcountry plan.
Updated July 15, 2026 BLM and operator details checked before publication
Getting there
The last paved miles
The standard approach from Reno follows I-80 east to Wadsworth, then NV-447 north to Gerlach. Distances are approximate and should be treated as trip-planning figures rather than turn-by-turn navigation.
- Reno → Wadsworth via I-80 E ~30 MI
- Wadsworth → Gerlach via NV-447 N ~77 MI
- Gerlach → 3-Mile playa access via County Road 34 ~3 MI
- Gerlach → 12-Mile playa access via County Road 34 ~12 MI
Road and playa note: NV-447 is paved to Gerlach. County Road 34 leads to the named playa access points, but the turnoffs and playa surface are unpaved. Never drive onto a wet or soft playa. Check current road, closure, fire, and surface conditions with the BLM Black Rock Field Office before leaving town.
Supplies
Stock up before the backcountry
Gerlach and Empire have a small number of essential services. Remote operating hours can change, so confirm availability and avoid arriving with a nearly empty fuel tank or no water reserve.
Empire Store
About five miles south of Gerlach on NV-447, the Empire Store is a year-round grocery, convenience, and deli stop. Hours may vary by season.
Call ahead: 775-557-2311BLM Black Rock Station
The seasonal contact station is at 200 Transfer Road. The BLM currently lists its hours as seasonal and variable, so do not publish a fixed weekly schedule.
Current BLM contact: 775-623-1500Operational-status note: Fuel, food, lodging, and visitor-center hours can change with staffing, weather, or major events. Confirm directly before departure.
Where to stay
In town, on a ranch, or on public land
Lodging inventory is limited. Reserve early when possible and keep a self-contained backup plan that does not depend on arriving after business hours.
Bruno's Country Club, Motel & RV Park
A motel, restaurant/bar, and RV option at 445 Main Street in Gerlach. Availability can be tight during major regional events.
Reservations: 775-557-2220Iveson Ranch
A private ranch north of Gerlach offering tent and RV camping plus rustic room options. Reservations and current access information should be confirmed directly.
Reservations: 775-557-2804Dispersed camping
Dispersed camping is allowed across much of the Black Rock–High Rock area unless an area is posted or temporarily closed. There are no developed services, and fires are not allowed directly on the Black Rock Playa floor.
Rules + safety
What to confirm before entering the desert
Conditions and temporary restrictions can change quickly. The local BLM office—not a static guide—is the final source for current access, closures, fire restrictions, and permit questions.
Camping and permits
Ordinary individual dispersed recreation is generally allowed where not posted closed. Structured, commercial, competitive, or organized activities may require a BLM Special Recreation Permit.
Stay limit
BLM dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within a 28-day period. Relocation details can vary by field office, so confirm the local rule rather than relying on a universal mileage number.
Remote-travel standard
Expect no dependable cell signal in the NCA. Carry offline navigation, extra water and food, a full-size spare, recovery gear, and a trip plan shared with someone outside the area.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Gerlach
Is Gerlach the last place to get fuel before the Black Rock backcountry?
Gerlach and nearby Empire are the final small service communities on the usual southern approach. Because remote fuel availability can change, top off earlier and confirm the Gerlach pump before depending on it.
Do I need a permit for ordinary dispersed camping?
A general entrance permit is not normally used for a small private camping trip where dispersed camping is open. Special, organized, commercial, competitive, or managed uses may require a BLM permit, and temporary closure orders can still restrict access.
Is there cell service on the playa or in High Rock country?
Do not plan around cellular coverage. The BLM describes the area as having no cell-phone signal, with limited services and few other travelers nearby.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and fall often offer milder temperatures, but surface condition matters more than the calendar. Rain, snowmelt, event closures, or fire restrictions can make a normally suitable period a poor time to enter.
Verification
Sources and update method
Checked July 15, 2026
Static facts were checked against government or operator sources. Time-sensitive items are deliberately written with a call-ahead warning instead of fixed hours or guaranteed availability.
- BLM: Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon NCA
- BLM: Black Rock Station contact and seasonal status
- BLM: Camping on public lands
- Travel Nevada: Empire Store
- Travel Nevada: Bruno's Country Club, Motel & RV Park
- Iveson Ranch: lodging and camping
- U.S. Census Bureau: Gerlach CDP profile
- BLM: Black Rock Field Office
Ready for the playa itself?
Continue with the full Black Rock Desert route guide for trip sequencing, access notes, and responsible dispersed-camping planning.
View the route guide