Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is a 575,000-acre property against (and actually spilling over a bit) the Oregon border in northwestern Nevada. This is an arid, high desert zone to the north of the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area with lots of volcanic terrain. The Refuge was originally set aside in 1936 as the Charles Sheldon Antelope Range. There are still about 3,500 pronghorn "antelope" on the property but there are also large herds of mule deer, a self-sustaining population of bighorn sheep and several herds of wild horses. With elevations ranging from 4,100' to 7,200', the dominant flora here are drought-tolerant plants like aspen, bitterbrush, juniper, sagebrush and mountain mahogany.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was homesteaded by folks who didn't realize how marginal the opportunity for human habitation was. So you'll find old homesteads and ranches scattered around this vast and rugged countryside. The Virgin Valley mining district is where you might find some fire opals and other gems. There's a few mineral hot springs, some waterfalls, narrow gorges and lush stream valleys, too.

The easiest access to the heart of Sheldon NWR is via Highway 140: go 68 miles east from Lakeview, OR. Or you can go to Denio, NV on SR 142 and take a left on SR 140, go 14 miles to the eastern edge of Sheldon NWR. Gas and groceries are at Lakeview, Denio or 100 miles south at Winnemucca. The Royal Peacock Mine in Virgin Valley offers some supplies, a pay phone and several furnished overnight accommodations, but only in summer. Off-road driving is not allowed. Keep all mechanized vehicles (including bikes) on the designated roads. Most refuge roads are maintained just well enough to accommodate high clearance 4WD, but all bets are off if it gets wet. Forget your cell phone, forget emergency services, forget roadside assistance: out here you're on your own.