When it comes to Nevada lakes, Lake Mead and Lake Tahoe always seem to be the first to come to mind, but there’s an underrated lake in Nevada that will take your breath away.
Pyramid Lake, located 35 miles northeast of Reno, is one of the state’s largest natural lakes, covering 125,000 acres. The saltwater lake is a remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan, which once covered most of Nevada.
Discovered in 1844 and once inhabited by 19th-century Paiute, the lake is fed by the Truckee River from its southern end. It’s currently owned and managed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe; the tribal tales surrounding it only add to its mystique and beauty.
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flickr / Patrick Nouhailler
Facebook / Pyramid Lake night Flickr / Dimka
The lake features beautiful scenic views complimented by cloudy or sunny skies. It’s also surrounded by mountains and some very unusual rock formations:
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Wikimedia / Jonas Dovydenas
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The Great Stone Mother, above, resembles a hooded Indian woman with an open basket. The rock is named for a Paiute tale of a mother who missed her children so that her tears formed the lake. It is currently off limits to visitors in order to protect its delicate foundation.In addition to its gorgeous scenery and fascinating history, Pyramid Lake in Nevada offers tons of recreational opportunities:
Facebook / Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake is a world-class fishing destination and the only habitat in the world for the 2-million-year-old Cui-ui fish. It is also home record-sized Lohanton Cutthroat Trout. Fishermen from around the world, including celebrities, foreign royalty, and politicians have flocked to the lake to try and catch a trophy. Permits are required for fishing as well as for camping.
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Guided lake excursions are only available from tribal members.
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