We are putting together an exciting plan to explore the remote, scenic backroads surrounding US Route 50 in Nevada, famously known as the "Loneliest Road in America." Our destination is the Dave Deacon Campground nestled in the Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area.
đź“Ť Information
- Trip Status: Planning
- Team Lead: Mike Norton
Points of Interest
The Loneliest Road in America
In July 1986, Life magazine famously labeled US Route 50 in Nevada as the "Loneliest Road in America," claiming it lacked points of interest and warning drivers they needed "survival skills." Nevada officials embraced the title as a marketing slogan. The highway traverses Nevada's classic "basin and range" topography, roughly paralleling the historic Pony Express Trail and the Overland Stagecoach route, offering scenic, rugged backcountry bypasses.
Dave Deacon Campground & Hot Creek Springs
We will base camp at the Dave Deacon Campground (also known as Hot Creek Campground) in the White River Valley near Lund, Nevada. Proximity to the exceptionally clear teal-blue Hot Creek Springs (a National Natural Landmark keeping a constant warm 80-85°F temperature) provides a fantastic destination. The springs are critical habitat for the endangered Moorman White River Springfish, so practicing strict environmental etiquette is a must.
Dates
September 18 – September 20, 2026
Meet-up Location
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: McDonald's at Santa Rita and Highway 580 E. (Standard Deployment Point)
37°42'02.9"N 121°52'10.7"W
37.700795, -121.869642
Camp Location
Location: Dave Deacon Campground (Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area), near Lund, NV
Details: Free public campground, first-come first-served, 8-day limit. Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and an RV dump station. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out. The warm Hot Creek Springs (~80-85°F) is located about 1 mile away (National Natural Landmark and endangered Moorman White River Springfish habitat).
38°41'14.2"N 115°06'35.6"W
38.411427, -115.109885
Weather
Preparing for the trip, check the weather at our key locations: