Wild Horse State Recreation Area
Wild Horse State Recreation Area is located on the northeast shore of Wild Horse Reservoir. The 120-acre recreation area is an excellent focal point when visiting Wild Horse. Visitors to the area enjoy camping, picnicking, hunting, fishing and boating. Facilities include campgrounds, a trailer dump station, boat launch and ranger station. The park is open year-round, but access may be hampered by extreme cold and snow in winter months. Wild Horse Reservoir commonly boasts the state's lowest winter temperatures. The park is located 67 miles north of Elko on State Route 225.
In 1937, Wild Horse Reservoir was constructed covering what was once Owyhee Meadows. The reservoir was named after the wild horses that roamed abundantly in the area. Ranching has restricted the horses' movement, but they can still be found on the Owyhee Desert west of Wild Horse.
The stored irrigation water is for agriculture on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. The original dam was found to be weak. A new one was constructed in 1969. This doubled the size of the reservoir. When full, the reservoir has a surface area of 2,830 acres and holds 73,500 acre-feet of water. The spillway elevation is 6,205 feet above sea level.
CTIVITIES
Fishing is the most popular activity at Wild Horse. Most visitors pursue rainbow trout. German brown trout, small mouth bass, wiper, yellow perch, and catfish are also in the reservoir. Fishing seems best during spring and fall. Ice fishing is popular and can be quite productive in the winter months. Fishermen should be prepared for extreme cold and harsh winter conditions. During the summer months, there are abundant opportunities for sight-seeing, wildlife and bird watching, or just relaxing and enjoying an outdoor learning program.
Hunting is abundant in the fall. Pronghorn, mule deer, elk, grouse, chukar, waterfowl, and many other game species can be pursued. Although hunting is not allowed in Wild Horse Recreation Area, the campground makes a great base camp for hunting the surrounding area.
Winter activities include ice-skating and sledding. Snowmobiling and skiing are also popular on the treeless rolling hills along Gold Creek Road and Sunflower Flats.
For more information during your visit, stop in at the visitor center. Hours will vary.
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