Travel Packages All Inclusive from our Advisors
We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure you have the best vacation experience. Interested in a job in travel? Click here to learn: How to Become a Travel Agent
There are deserts, and then there is the Black Rock Desert, a completely barren playa (dry lake bed) stretching across the northwest corner of Nevada, 380 mi/610 km northwest of Las Vegas. Nothing of any size lives there—no plants or animals. It's an expanse of glaring white silt, completely level for more than 25 mi/40 km. In the past, wagon trains rolled through this area heading for canyon passages to the west. More recently (in the 1980s and 1990s), several land-speed records have been set on this wide-open stretch of earth.Free Black Rock Desert Vacation Package Quote
Your Vacay is my vacay!
Travel Adventure with Vincent Vacations
Tanya's Magical Planning Services, Specializing in Disney and Universal
Lindsey Vera With Vincent Vacations
Travel at Ease with Kesha
Let's travel! Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, USA, Europe!
The small town of Gerlach (100 mi/160 km north of Reno) sits at the south end of the Black Rock Desert and is the most common point of entry into this minimalist landscape. A roadside display there indicates points of interest, including the pioneers' route along the Lassen-Applegate Trail. Nearby is the only gas station in the region: Use it. A full tank of gas, as well as a good map, extra tires and belts and plenty of food and water, are crucial commodities in the Black Rock Desert. A high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle also comes in handy.
But no matter what you're driving, stay out of the Black Rock if there's any chance of rain or snow: Any moisture on the playa's surface creates impassable, vehicle-swallowing silt that dries like concrete . The driest conditions occur late spring-fall, but always inquire in Gerlach about road conditions before you set out.
Once you're properly equipped, head into the abyss. You may see distant clouds of dust kicked up by off-road vehicles. You might also spot groups of glider aircraft and land-sailers (small sailboats on wheels) riding the desert wind. Or you may see nothing at all, which is a big part of the attraction: The feeling that comes from such a wide-open and empty place is hard to explain, but it draws some hearty souls like a magnet.
There are some things to see, however. For an extraordinary display of folk art, drive Doobie Road (just north of Gerlach and also called Guru Avenue or Wonder Road), where you'll see rocks decorated with words of wit and wisdom, a tepee topped with cow skulls and Graceland West, a monument to Elvis. Farther north, along the western flank of the Black Rock Desert, the Lassen/Applegate Trail continues past Fly Creek and through High Rock Canyon, where some of the pioneers left their names carved on the canyon walls. Little has changed there since they passed through more than a century ago.
Every year around Labor Day Weekend, the Black Rock Desert is the site of the Burning Man Project, during which a city of 30,000-50,000 people is created in the middle of nowhere for one week. It's part hippie-style gathering, part performance art, part pagan ritual, part something out of a Mad Max movie. The event culminates in the burning of a 40-ft-/12-m-tall effigy. If you decide to attend, you'll need plenty of water, lots of survival supplies and a ticket (even anarchic gatherings cost money these days). Clothing is optional. http://www.burningman.com.
There are deserts, and then there is the Black Rock Desert, a completely barren playa (dry lake bed) stretching across the northwest corner of Nevada, 380 mi/610 km northwest of Las Vegas. Nothing of any size lives there—no plants or animals. It's an expanse of glaring white silt, completely level for more than 25 mi/40 km. In the past, wagon trains rolled through this area heading for canyon passages to the west. More recently (in the 1980s and 1990s), several land-speed records have been set on this wide-open stretch of earth.
The small town of Gerlach (100 mi/160 km north of Reno) sits at the south end of the Black Rock Desert and is the most common point of entry into this minimalist landscape. A roadside display there indicates points of interest, including the pioneers' route along the Lassen-Applegate Trail. Nearby is the only gas station in the region: Use it. A full tank of gas, as well as a good map, extra tires and belts and plenty of food and water, are crucial commodities in the Black Rock Desert. A high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle also comes in handy.
But no matter what you're driving, stay out of the Black Rock if there's any chance of rain or snow: Any moisture on the playa's surface creates impassable, vehicle-swallowing silt that dries like concrete . The driest conditions occur late spring-fall, but always inquire in Gerlach about road conditions before you set out.
Once you're properly equipped, head into the abyss. You may see distant clouds of dust kicked up by off-road vehicles. You might also spot groups of glider aircraft and land-sailers (small sailboats on wheels) riding the desert wind. Or you may see nothing at all, which is a big part of the attraction: The feeling that comes from such a wide-open and empty place is hard to explain, but it draws some hearty souls like a magnet.
There are some things to see, however. For an extraordinary display of folk art, drive Doobie Road (just north of Gerlach and also called Guru Avenue or Wonder Road), where you'll see rocks decorated with words of wit and wisdom, a tepee topped with cow skulls and Graceland West, a monument to Elvis. Farther north, along the western flank of the Black Rock Desert, the Lassen/Applegate Trail continues past Fly Creek and through High Rock Canyon, where some of the pioneers left their names carved on the canyon walls. Little has changed there since they passed through more than a century ago.
Every year around Labor Day Weekend, the Black Rock Desert is the site of the Burning Man Project, during which a city of 30,000-50,000 people is created in the middle of nowhere for one week. It's part hippie-style gathering, part performance art, part pagan ritual, part something out of a Mad Max movie. The event culminates in the burning of a 40-ft-/12-m-tall effigy. If you decide to attend, you'll need plenty of water, lots of survival supplies and a ticket (even anarchic gatherings cost money these days). Clothing is optional. http://www.burningman.com.
Vincent Vacations - Authorized Black Rock Desert Vacation Planner
Questions? Call us at
1 (888) 976-0061
For Groups of 10
or more rooms, or 8 or more Cabins, please use of Group Form
Click Here for our Group Department
Vincent Vacations is an award winning travel agency. We serve clients all over the US.
Learn more about:
How to become a travel agent!
We are an IATAN, CLIA, ASTA, IATA Accrediated Travel Agency
See all awards & certificates.
Click on a location below to learn more. We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure you have the best experience.
All of these are signs that you are a great fit to become an independent travel agent, and turn your love of travel from passion into profit!
Learn MoreOur motto at Vincent Vacations is, we go so you know! We want to ensure you have the BEST experience, whether it's a river cruise, or a corporate group incentive trip, we want to ensure your vacation is a success.
Many of our travel agents have been in travel since 2002! With Vincent Vacations, all travel components are taken care of - this includes accommodations, air, transfers, tours, activities, insurance, contracts, EVERYTHING.
Destination weddings, Anniversaries, vow renewals, honeymoons, engagements, elopements, retie the knot, babymoons, proposal trips and more
Corporate group retreats and incentive trips, seniors-only river cruises, friends & family getaways, special group anniversary celebrations and more
All-inclusive resorts, Hawaii, cruises, Europe, African Safaris, exotic Fiji and the islands, there are so many travel options for families
Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Resorts, Aulani, Universal, MyDisneyExperience, Disney Genie, characters dining, and more
We know Europe! Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Swiss Alps, Prague, Amsterdam, Venice, Athens, Vienna, Madrid, let's go!
Ocean cruising, river cruising, yacht charters, expeditions, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Viking, Lindblad, there are so many options when it comes to cruising
We create custom travel itineraries and trips, and we know travel - Whether it's Universal, river cruises, safaris, yacht charters, Australia, Thailand and more!
Get A Free QuoteWe serve customers all across the USA
Debt free and in business since 2013. Vincent Vacations has agents in Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Shreveport, Little Rock, Roswell, Oklahoma City and more locations.
Travel agents can help save time and stress by doing the research and handling all your bookings for you. An experience travel agent is best at finding great deals and packages, as well as providing you with helpful information and tips. They can also help you plan special activities and experiences that you may not have thought of on your own. All in all, using a travel agent can be a great way to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
In travel since 2002, and in business since 2013, our travel team serves clients all over the US! Planning a vacation away from home takes a great team. We have taken the time to build a team of dedicated, smart, hard-working personnel who are each committed to excellence and service. We work side-by-side, creating and ensuring INCREDIBLE vacation experiences for you and your group. Our store front in-office team, and our travel consultant independent contractors, work all around the US.
In business since 2013, we are your #1 source for travel!
Free Vacation Package Quote
