Rye Patch State Recreation Area
2505 Rye Patch Reservoir Road
Lovelock, NV 89419
(775) 538-7321
ryepatch@onramp.bz

   Rye Patch Reservoir, along the Humboldt River, covers 11,000 acres when full. Here, visitors enjoy fishing, boating, water skiing, camping, and picnicking. A campground, boat launch and picnic sites are provided. Rye Patch is located 22 miles north of Lovelock on Interstate 80.

beach area
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Facilities & Amenities


Park Origin and History:

The first white man to enter the region probably was Peter Skene Ogden, who trapped beaver in the area during 1829 for the Hudson Bay Company. Other trappers followed Ogden's route, and soon the Humboldt Trail was established.

An area at the park's north end where emigrants rested and grazed their livestock became known as Lessen Meadows. The Applegate-Lessen Cut Off to California and Oregon left the trail at the meadows, and a barrel placed there served as an informal post office for emigrants.

In the 1860's the nearby town of Unionville, Rochester and Star City boomed after the gold and silver strikes, but died quickly when the veins ran out. The town of Rye Patch, located closed to the river, processed ore from the mines with a 10-stamp mill built in 1864. Named for a patch of wild rye along the railroad route, Rye Patch had a school, post office, boarding house and, after 1869, a station on the Central Pacific Railroad. The mill processed one million dollars worth of gold and silver, but after it closed down in 1877, the town gradually declined.

In 1912, after three years of construction, the Pitt-Taylor Reservoirs in the northern part of today's recreation area were in service. Construction of Rye Patch Dam began in 1935 and was completed the following year. The 75 foot-high, earth-filled dam was built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (U.S. Water and Power Resources Service) to control floods and increase irrigation. The reservoir can store 200,000 acre-feet of water to irrigate 38,000 acres of agricultural land.

Rye Patch Reservoir became a Nevada State Recreation Area in 1971. It had been operated previously by Pershing County's Water Conservation District and Parks Department.

Archaeological Discoveries

For several years scientists from the Nevada State Museum and the University of Nevada have been studying the prehistoric record of Rye Patch, which has been surprisedly, rich in clues to the life-styles of the area's early inhabitants.

Many thousands of years ago the region's climate was generally much colder and wetter than it is now, and a larger Humboldt River fed ancient Lake Lahontan, a body of water covering most of the Great Basin. About 23,000 years ago, when the elevation of the ancient lake was lower than the present reservoir, large animals such as camels, horses, elephants, and bison as well as rabbits and squirrels came to drink from springs in the riverbank. Some animals perished there, and their bones have been found at spring sites near Humboldt House, 14 miles north of Rye Patch Dam.

It is not known whether people lived in the area then, but they certainly were camping along the river 8,000 years ago. They fished the river and lake, hunted and gathered plants. However, as the centuries passed the climate grew warmer and drier.

About 4,000 years ago the lake had been reduced to what are now the Humboldt and Carson sinks. The river had shrunk to its present size, and the area's climate, topography and vegetation were like they are today. To survive in this semi-arid land, the people relied on plant gathering and hunting, often banding together on antelope and rabbit drives. They lived in settlements of 25 to 50 people near the river in winter, roaming the desert in smaller groups in the summer.


Location and Climate:

Rye Patch visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing and water-skiing at the recreation area's 22-mile long reservoir on the Humboldt River just west of Interstate 80. Located 22 miles north of Lovelock and 50 miles southwest of Winnemucca, Rye Patch is open all year round.

The reservoir has 72 miles of shoreline and 11,000 acres of water surface when full. The high water elevation is 4,135 feet.

Most park users prefer to visit during the warm months of late spring and summer. The area's climate is typical of northern Nevada's desert country. Rainfall is slight, averaging less then 6 inches annually. Clear, sunny skies are the rule, with summer daytime temperatures peaking near 90 degrees F. However, campers should note that summer temperatures can drop as much as 40 degrees at night. In mid-winter, daily highs average 40 degrees F, and nighttime temperatures sometimes drop below zero.


Facilities:

Entrance Fee:  An entrance fee is charged to enter the park, with additional fee for camping and boat launching.  Current fees are posted at the park entrance.   Click here for all individual park fees by region.

Picnicking:   There are three designated picnic (day use) areas in the park. The river picnic area has tables, grills, and restrooms. The west side group use and picnic area has space for groups of up to 100 persons, with tables, grills, water and restrooms. A third area is near the swim beach.

Camping:   Camping is first come/first basis.  Camping is $10.00 per night per vehicle OR $14.00 with a boat.   No hook-ups available.    There also three group areas that can be reserved for an additional $20 per night plus entrance fee per vehicle.  The river campground below the dam has tables and restroom/showers.  The campground on the reservoir's west side has 25 improved camp units and restroom/shower.  There are also many undeveloped campsites along the reservoir that can be reached by boat or primitive roads. Camping is allowed in these areas unless other wise posted.

Recreational Vehicle Dump Station:   A sanitary dump station is located on the dam's west side.

Boat Launching:   A double-lane boat ramp and a dock are located nest to the campground on the reservoir's west side.  A single-lane boat ramp and restroom are located 10 miles north at Pitt Taylor.

Fishing:  You can fish from shore or boat to catch crappie, wipers, white bass, channel catfish, black bass, walleye and Sacramento Perch. Catfish also can be caught in the Humboldt River. Most anglers use worms or liver for catfish, minnows for bass and walleye, and jigs for crappie, perch and bass. (Be sure to bring your own bait since it often is not available in the area.) Fishing is usually best in spring and early summer, with fall being a good season for catfish. A Nevada fishing license is required.

To ensure the quality of Rye Patch State Recreation area for future generations, we ask that you:

Reminders:

The Nevada Division of State Parks has developed this area for your benefit and enjoyment. Please help to maintain it and preserve this fragile desert environment.

To make your visit and the visits of others more enjoyable, please observe the following rules:
  1. Drive only on established roads and please observe the speed limits of 25 mph in the recreation area and 15 mph in campgrounds and congested areas.
  2. All operators and vehicles must be licensed and motorcyclists must wear protective headgear.
  3. Keep all pets on a leash no longer than six feet in length.
  4. All plants, animals, fossils and other natural objects, and prehistoric and historic artifacts are protected within the park. This area is subject to state and federal antiquity laws.
  5. Boat speed limit is 5 mph within 100 feet of swimmers or swim beaches. Boating and fishing are prohibited in the buoyed swimming areas.
  6. Please be careful with litter, use the trash containers provided throughout the park.
  7. Fires are allowed only in designated stoves and fireplaces.
  8. Fireworks & Explosives: No person may possess or discharge within or into any portion of a park, any firecrackers or other fireworks or explosives.
  9. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. - 7 p.m.

You are responsible for knowing regulations currently in effect. Detailed rules and regulations are posted at the park.

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