Current Active Trail Section Alerts

ONGOING LOOSE DOG WARNING – NIXON AND WADSWORTH AREAS(Click to Learn More)

Please Take Our New Trail Survey (Click to Learn More)

Wadsworth – Pyramid Lake Overview & Section Maps

Each of the 4 PDF maps below may also be downloaded by using the top “download” icon.
The 4 maps below are 1) An “Overview” map with the other 3 being section details.

Scroll down the page to access the Google, GPX, and RideWithGPS digital maps

Wadsworth – Pyramid Lake Navigation Maps

NOTE: You may need to give permissions in your phone settings for the map & apps to use your location.


From Wadsworth:
Downstream to Pyramid Lake

RideWithGPS | GPX File Download


From Pyramid Lake:
Upstream to Wadsworth

RideWithGPS | GPX File Download


Wadsworth – Pyramid Lake Trail Section Details

Trail Description:

The trail through the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation from Wadsworth to Pyramid Lake was developed by the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail in cooperation with the Tribe. It is 24 miles mostly of compacted dirt, with two fence stiles that must be climbed over.

The gradient of the “Rez” trail is has a lot of “up and down” elevation changes which may be more than some hikers or cyclists are accustomed to. You can view the elevation profile on the RideWithGPS track linked above. For those not wanting to ride all the way to Pyramid Lake and back, a popular option is to ride from Wadsworth to the Numana Hatchery and back (17 miles total).

If you plan to ride on the “Rez” trail section, you must have a valid day-use permit for riding it.

How to get a Day-Use Permit for this trail section:

  • Currently, there are ONLY 2 ways to get a Day-Use Permit for this section of the trail:
    1. In-Person at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Ranger Station in Sutcliffe. (All other retail locations that used to offer Day-Use Permits are no longer able to do so) – Due to changing Tribal Permit Sales processes, we recommend calling the Sutcliffe Ranger Station prior to any in-person permit purchase effort. They can be reached at 775-476-1155.
    2. And ONLINE via the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe permit portal: https://plpt.nagfa.net/online/ (You will be asked for your name and DOB before you can move the “permit purchase” area)
  • If you have any questions, please call Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Ranger Station in Sutcliffe, for the most up-to-date information for purchasing Day-Use permits. They can be reached at 775-476-1155.
  • The current price (as of 11/12/20) is $22 PER VEHICLE for a Day-Use Permit. (Carpooling is encouraged – Prices are subject to change without notice)

Trail Difficulty:

Dirt trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderate difficulty. Experienced mountain bikers will have no problem but beginner & non-experienced riders may want to walk their bikes on some of the rutted or sandy sections.

Recommended Bikes for this Trail Section:

Mountain, Cyclocross, Gravel

Current Trail Conditions

The following “trail conditions” are in effect:

  • Multiple Loose Dogs (off-leash) have been seen and encountered in the vicinity of both Nixon and Wadsworth. Please be aware of your surroundings and take the precautions as you feel are necessary when riding or hiking in these areas to stay safe.

Photos of the Wadsworth – Pyramid Lake Trail Section

View looking south along the Truckee River on the Reservation
Autumn view from the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation.
Rutted road on the Reservation section of the trail.
Looking west along part of the Reservation trail section
IMG_20180922_171233
Volunteer built fence-bridge.
View of the Truckee River Canyon on the Reservation.
Biking along the beach of Pyramid Lake!
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IMG_20181006_152952cr
IMG_20181006_153828cr
IMG_20181006_144803cr
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End of the rideat Pyramid Lake
Cyclist Overlooking the Truckee River on the Reservation
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View looking south along the Truckee River on the Reservation
Autumn view from the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation.
Rutted road on the Reservation section of the trail.
Looking west along part of the Reservation trail section
IMG_20180922_171233
Volunteer built fence-bridge.
View of the Truckee River Canyon on the Reservation.
Biking along the beach of Pyramid Lake!
IMG_20181006_151710cr
IMG_20181006_152952cr
IMG_20181006_153828cr
IMG_20181006_144803cr
IMG_20180922_165952
End of the rideat Pyramid Lake
Cyclist Overlooking the Truckee River on the Reservation
previous arrow
next arrow


This Trail Connects to:

There is no additional trail connectivity at this time for this trail segment.

Services

There are no services in this area between Wadsworth and Nixon, each of which has a convenience store. There is camping by permit at Big Bend Tribal campground and lodging and restaurants in Fernley.