Black Rock Rendezvous 2026

5 pm, Friday, May 22 until 10 am, Monday, May 25, 2026
LOCATION: Cassidy Mine, 40°48’55.1″N 119°13’21.0″W

Come Join Stewards of the Black Rock Desert, Friends of Black Rock / High Rock, and the Bureau of Land Management Black Rock Field Office Team for this annual partner group campout. Here’s our itinerary:

• Friday, May 22
  5 pm: People arrive. Find a personal camp location near the main camp shade structure.
  
• Saturday, May 23:
  6 am: COFFEE with Friends of Black Rock High Rock
  7 am: breakfast at Center Camp by Friends of Black Rock High Rock
  9 am: ORIENTATION.
  We have talks from representatives of the various partners with details of the activities and safety information. Times may vary.
  9:00 – 9:40: BLM/Partner introductions: Jonah Blustain, Field Manager; Amber Franklin, rec planner; Robert Wagner, Friends of Black Rock; Matthew Ebert, Stewards of Black Rock; Rita Smyth, Dutch Oven Cookoff.
  9:40 – 10:00: Kayla – rockhounding
  10:00 – 10:20: Mike – mining
  10:20 – 10:40: Todd – native plants
  10:40 – 11:00: Erin Gillette – Archeology in the BRD
  11:00 – 11:20: Christopher Brooks – Black Rock Dead and You
  11:20 – 11:40: Metric – Abridged Emigrant History
  11:40 – break to prepare for trips
  
  NOON: Day Trips. Be prepared to caravan. Pack everything you’ll need for the day. Sign up for your tour on-site: Guru Road & Gerlach art tour, Bike ride, native flora walk, rockhounding in Calico Range
  
  3 – 5 pm: Return to Camp
  
  6 pm: LIVE MUSIC featuring The Dustperados surf music for the largest beach in Nevada.
  
  7 pm: dinner: Dutch oven cookoff contest with PRIZES! Please have your submission present by 7 pm for consideration.
  
• Sunday, May 24:
  6 am: COFFEE with Metric! at Center Camp
  7 am: breakfast (on your own
  9 am: SUNDAY TOURS
  Emigrant Trail Tour: Metric will conduct an interpretive tour of the Applegate Lassen Emigrant Trail from Sulfur to Rabbithole Springs to Trego. Here is last year’s Emigrant Trail Tour Guide.
  
  Hot Sping Tour: Rita Smyth will take folks up to Soldier Meadows for a soak.
  
  BLM/Friends of Black Rock High Rock: Stewardship at Trego Hot Springs — rehabilitation of trespass areas.
  
  6 pm: Dinner ON YOUR OWN.
  8 pm: More history talk around the campfire, probably with some musical instruments and other entertainment.
  
• Monday, May 25:
  6 am: coffee with Metric!
  7 am: breakfast courtesy of Stewards of the Black Rock Desert
  
  LEAVE NO TRACE! Everyone will canvas the area for litter before driving home safely.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR ACTIVITIES

Some things to consider:

• The Black Rock playa (dry lake surface) is not drivable when wet. Always check for current conditions and exercise caution;
• Check your vehicle before engaging in desert travel: oil level, coolant, spare tire (or 2!), jack and lug wrench are essential;
• Have plenty of water, food, and protection from the sun.
• Make sure someone responsible knows your travel plans. No one can come look for you if they don’t know where you are.

For more general desert travel information, visit Travel Nevada.

Cassidy Mine Location Playa Camp Location

Here is a nice page about Cassidy Mine. Another page here created by Bill Carson.

Erin made this lovely Orientation Video!