We were going to be out and about for Memorial Day and hoping to avoid the crowds. Where to go on one of the busiest outdoor weekends of the year? Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northern Nevada was on the list and looked like a good candidate. It turned out the be a great place to get away from the crowds see some wildlife and abundant wildflowers and stretch our legs wandering among the sage.
After a look around a bit of the refuge we set our sights on Catnip Reservoir and had the place to ourselves for the first night (besides the waterfowl, coyotes and antelope). A look across the sagebrush sea that is Sheldon might initially give you the impression that it is a pretty bleak, boring place, but as you look a bit closer it is a place filled with interesting rugged topography, abundant wildflowers, and wildlife. Being relatively high in elevation spring was still in full swing and wildflowers could be found in every direction.
We spent most of a day making a grand hiking loop along the rimrock above the reservoir.
There were a lot of obsidian flakes scattered about. It appeared someone sat up on this rim flintknapping long ago.
Back at camp we enjoyed watching all the birds concentrated here due to the reservoir.
After a couple of days we moved on from Catnip to a site known as Badger. Badger has a great setting of a rock amphitheater with a great grove of aspen trees. Quite a setting for your front yard during your stay.
While at Badger we enjoyed a couple more hikes to the mountains above camp.
Four nights at Sheldon was just what we were looking for, not only a great wildlife refuge, but a refuge from the crowds of Memorial Day. We left a good portion of the refuge unexplored, I think it will be there the next time we’re seeking refuge in Nevada.
Logistics:
- Camping: Sheldon only allows camping at designated camping areas (unless you get a backcountry permit for backpacking). There are several of these scattered around the refuge to choose from, of various sizes and amenities. I snapped this photo that lists the sites at one of the refuge entry points. You can also download a brochure with info about the refuge and a map.
