Kershaw Ryan State Park is one of the jewels of the Nevada State Park system, and it is located about 3.5 miles outside the town of Caliente. The park encompasses an area where natural springs flow from an otherwise arid canyon, creating a lush oasis in a dry landscape. Samuel and Hannah Kershaw homesteaded the area in the 1870s using the springs to plant orchards and gardens. A later owner donated the land to the state for use as a public park, which led to the area ultimately becoming one of Nevada's first four state parks in 1935.
The shady oasis still exists and has grown to include flowering and grassy gardens, fish ponds, a spring-fed wading pool, wild grape vines growing around picnic areas, playgrounds, and ornamental lawns. Volleyball courts and horseshoe pits sit amongst the area, and hiking trails, including the Canyon View and Overlook Trails lead to wide open views. The shorter Rattlesnake Canyon Loop Trail heads into the wild grapevines adjacent to the parking area. Four distinct ecosystems - riparian, mountain brush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and cool desert scrub - are present inside the park. Though visitors may simply opt to sit in the shady oasis area and get the feeling of being in a manicured garden rather than the dry mountainous Nevada desert.
A 15-site first-come, first-served campground sits inside the park with spots able to fit RVs and one ADA-friendly site. All sites are basic with no electric hookups.
Kershaw Ryan State Park is open daily 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a $5 day-use fee. Additional information can be found at the park's website or by calling 775.726.3564.
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