Burning Man: Preparation - Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

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100 Miles to Black Rock City – Northwards! The beginning of the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribal reservation and America’s Solar Highway

One of the last small towns before heading north off into the desert to Black Rock City is Wadsworth on the southern end of the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribal reservation, nestled along the big bend of the Truckee River. The community of Wadsworth and 17 miles up north in Nixon at Pyramid Lake have been very supportive of Burning Man over its history and are happy to see us. Some final opportunities for supplies, medical care, car repair, and camping can be found here, up ahead in Nixon, or in nearby sister-city Fernley before heading off into the final 100 mile stretch to Black Rock City. Also found in the community here are the beginning installations of what has come to be known as America’s Solar Highway, thanks in part to the efforts of Black Rock Solar.

Taking exit # 43 off of the interstate, I-80 Smoke Shop & Campground will soon be on your right with food, ice, gas, food, plenty of last-minute supplies, and RV & camping opportunities.

Further down the road you’ll be entering the heart of the town of Wadsworth, and you’ll want to turn left on Highway 447 in order to get to Burning Man. Or if you are coming from the east and through Fernley (I-80 Exit #46), you'll turn right onto Highway 447 from 427. Here at or near this junction you will find Ida 'n' Willie's Roadhouse with some wonderful hospitality, food, and bar, an artists gallery and gift shop, next door, and the Big Bend RV Park just down the road. Additionally, there will be several road-side shops in Nixon very accommodating with native food and crafts, last-minute supplies, and very warm hospitality. The Tribe encourages people to only buy food from vendors with a Food Handlers Permit from HIS (Indian Health Service), and to only dump their trash with vendors who have a trash permit from the Tribe.

Also of special note in Wadsworth:

Car Wash — The Sacred Visions Powwow Committee will be sponsoring a carwash during Exodus for travelers next to the Natchez Elementary School, just as you enter Wadsworth on State Route 447. The wash will be available for vehicles of all sizes during daylight hours from September 3-5. All funds raised will go to support the 4th Annual Sacred Visions Powwow.

Recycling and Trash Center — For the trek back home from Black Rock City, there is a major recycling/trash center that can be found just on the north side of Wadsworth on Highway 447. See the details down below.

For further information on Wadsworth and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe check here.

A FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL TRAVELERS

PLEASE drive the posted speed limit, and keep an appropriate distance between you and the car in front of you while traveling throughout the reservation. Please also SLOW DOWN (speed limit is 25mph) on your way through Wadsworth, Nixon, and Sutcliffe, while also being cautious and mindful of children at-play, and considerate of the townspeople that trying to access their homes, businesses, tribal services, and crossing the road. Finally, throughout this last stretch of your journey to Burning Man, please keep a steady hand on the wheel and a careful eye out ahead for wandering cows, horses, jackrabbits, and other creatures along the road, as this is wide open country.

Emergency Contact Numbers

All Emergencies: 911
Nevada Highway Patrol: (*647)
Washoe County Sheriff Dispatch: 775-574-0444
Pyramid Lake Ranger Station: 775-476-1155
Pyramid Lake Search & Rescue – 775-560-4417

Groceries

1-80 Smokeshop & Campground
1000 Smoke Shop Circle, Wadsworth – 775-575-2181 – map
Open 6am-8pm daily, but 24/7 during Burning Man. If you are traveling from the west to Burning Man, I-80 Smoke Shop & Market is right off I-80 as you enter Wadsworth. A gas station and convenience store flush with hospitality and having among many things, lots of water, smokes, dry ice and ice, tarps, booze, and canned beer on-hand – one of the last for about 100 miles to stock up. See below also for camping details. And trash disposal will also be available at $5/bag.

Restaurants

Ida 'n Willie's Roadhouse
100 Main Street – 775-980-6088 – map
Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-3pm. Open 24 hours from September 3-5. Call ahead for after-hours possibilities on other dates. Located in nearby Wadsworth. A wonderful and cozy place to sit down, kick back, and enjoy some hearty hospitality and food, specializing in Native-American faire. The menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, soups, chilis, burritos, and tacos. Several vegetarian/vegan options are also available upon request. Bar happy hours from 4pm-7pm daily, and occasionally live music. Local artists studios and horseshoe pits next door, and a gift shop carrying a variety of local native crafts, clothing, hoola hoops, beadwork, jewelry, conversation pieces, umbrellas, prints, pottery, candles, and hempwork. You can also fill up your RV with water there, and they will also be providing some basic auto rinse service.

Gas Stations

Love's Truck Stop
825 Commerce Center Drive, Fernley – 775-575-2200 – map
Open 24/7. Offers showers and RV Greywater Disposal.

Pilot Travel Center
465 US Highway 95A N, Fernley – 775-575-5115 – map
Open 24/7. Offers showers.

Hospitals / Urgent Care

Renown Family Urgent Care
1320 Newlands Drive, Fernley – 775-982-5000 – map
Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm (closed Sunday).

Pyramid Lake Health Clinic
705 Highway 446, Nixon – 775-574-0987 – map
Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

Camping / RV Parks

Big Bend RV Park
#1 Big Bend Ranch Road – 775-575-2185 – 775-224-1310 – map
Open daily 9am-5:30pm. Located near the Truckee River, Big Bend RV Park is a great place to park your RV or set up a tent. $25/night with full hook-ups, cable, electric, WiFi, laundry, shower and garbage. $15/night for tents. Weekly rates also available. Quiet area, hospitable service, recommend you reserve ahead.

1-80 Smokeshop & Campground
1000 Smoke Shop Circle – 775-575-2181 – map
Open 6am-8pm daily, but 24/7 during Burning Man. $25.00/night with hookups for RV & campers. $20/night for tents. Weekly rates also available. Showers and restroom facility onsite.

Recycling, Garbage, and Greywater Disposal

Trash Pros
1299 Washeim Street, State Route 447, Wadsworth – 775-575-0707 – map

Open 24/7 from August 26 through September 7. The location is about 1-mile north of Wadsworth.

Trash Pros has joined the Reno-Sparks-Wadsworth Recycling Project, now in its fourth year, a free multi-community initiative in support of recycling by Burning Man participants.

Bicycles, plastics (HDPE 1,2,3,4 & 5), plastic bags, glass, all metals (aluminum, tin, lead, steel, etc), paper, cardboard, household (disposal and rechargeable) batteries, and non-perishable food and water are all welcome.

Please have your recyclables sorted and clean as possible before depositing.

Moreover, garbage dumping will be available to recyclers at the rate of $3 per 35-gallon standard trash bag.

All proceeds raised from this recycling initiative will be donated to support local Black Rock Solar installations. All food and water will be donated to local Food Banks. Bicycles will be donated to the American Legion bike project.

Finally, please remain watchful and cautious in approaching/leaving this facility of other drivers and traffic.

Fernley Dump
1100 US Hwy 95A, Fernley – 775-575-7150 – map
Open 8am-4:30pm daily. Closed Labor Day. South of central Fernley. General trash disposal.

Love's Truck Stop
825 Commerce Center Drive, Fernley – 775-575-2200 – map
Open 24/7. Offers RV Greywater Disposal.

Car Repairs

Smith n Tobey
413 Fourth Street, Wadsworth – 775-575-7320 – 775-771-7714 – map
24 Hour Towing, Roadside Repairs, and Off-Road Recovery Specialist for vehicles of all sizes.

Need more info? Try: Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Reno News and Review, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Magazine, Reno Tahoe Tonight, National Traffic and Road Closure Information, PlayReno, NevadaNet, goTahoe.com, Tahoe.com, Fernleynews.com.