Natural

Massacre Lake

Washoe County, NV

Coordinate verified

Remote seasonal playa lake in far northwestern Washoe County near the California line, named for a supposed 1850 emigrant massacre that historians later questioned. The basin has paleontological interest, including reported Mio-Pliocene mammutid remains. High-desert wildlife and open-basin scenery sit on very remote public and ranch approaches—do not collect fossils without permits.

Field facts

RegionWashoe County, NV
Coordinates41.6535, -119.6049
CountyWashoe
Elevation~5,591 ft (GNIS/wiki)
NotePlace-name massacre story is disputed in secondary literature

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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.