Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Ruby Valley, NV
Ruby Valley, NV
An improbable wetland in the high desert, fed by mountain springs and alive with cranes, swans, and pelicans below the Rubies.
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a place that should not exist and yet does, a broad complex of marshes and clear ponds in the middle of one of Nevada's emptiest valleys. Set at about 6,000 feet against the base of the Ruby Mountains, the refuge is fed by more than 150 springs that seep from the mountains, keeping the wetland alive even in the desert.
That water makes the refuge a magnet for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded here, from sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans to clouds of migrating ducks, and the ponds hold bass and trout that draw a few dedicated anglers. Established in 1938 as a refuge for migratory birds, it remains one of the most remote and least visited refuges in the country.
What Guests Love
- A green oasis of marsh and open water in a vast dry basin, with the Ruby Mountains as a backdrop
- More than 200 bird species, including sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, and nesting waterfowl
- Uncrowded fishing for largemouth bass and trout in the spring-fed ponds
- The deep quiet of one of the most remote wildlife refuges in the Lower 48
Worth Knowing
- It is genuinely remote, reached by long gravel roads, so carry fuel, water, and a spare, and check conditions
- Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest bird numbers, while winter is cold and quiet
- Boating and fishing have seasonal rules to protect nesting birds, so check current refuge regulations
- Services are far away in Elko, so come prepared for a full day off the grid
Details
Ruby Valley, NV
Learn about Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A marsh born from mountain springs
The Ruby Mountains catch heavy snow, and much of that water sinks into the rock and re-emerges as springs at the mountains' eastern base. More than 150 of these springs feed the refuge, creating over 9,000 acres of lakes, ponds, and channels ranging from a few inches deep to about a dozen feet. In a valley that is otherwise dry sagebrush, the result is a ribbon of green and blue.
The refuge covers roughly 40,000 acres of marsh, meadow, grassland, and brushy upland. Managers move water through dikes and channels to keep the habitat healthy for nesting and migrating birds, a careful balancing act in a place where every drop comes from the mountains above.
A crossroads for birds
Ruby Lake sits along major migration routes, and the numbers can be extraordinary. In spring and fall the marshes fill with ducks, geese, shorebirds, and songbirds, and the refuge is one of the more reliable places in the region to see sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans. It is also an important breeding ground for canvasback ducks, among others.
The surrounding uplands add sage grouse and raptors to the list, and the mix of wetland and desert edge means a single day's visit can turn up a remarkable variety. For birders, the refuge is a quiet, rewarding destination that rarely feels crowded.
Fishing and the water
The refuge's clear, spring-fed ponds hold largemouth bass along with rainbow, brown, tiger, and brook trout, an unusual combination for such a remote desert wetland. The fishing is uncrowded and can be excellent, though access is seasonal and governed by rules that protect nesting birds during sensitive times.
Because the water is cold and clean, the fishery has a devoted following among anglers willing to make the long drive. Checking the current refuge regulations before setting out is essential, since boating and fishing seasons shift to keep the wildlife first.
The remoteness itself
Part of what makes Ruby Lake special is simply how far it is from anything. Reaching it means long stretches of gravel road across the valley, with the Ruby Mountains looming to the west, and once there the silence is nearly complete. It is a refuge in the fullest sense, for wildlife and for the traveler seeking quiet.
The Ruby Mountains themselves, often called Nevada's Alps, rise just over the crest, and the refuge makes a natural companion to a drive up Lamoille Canyon on the other side. Together they show two faces of the same range, alpine heights and the desert wetland fed by their snows.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Ruby Valley
Ruby Mountains
Rising to the west
Nevada's Alps, a range of glacier-carved peaks, alpine lakes, and wildflower basins that catch the snow feeding the refuge below.
Lamoille Canyon
About 40 miles northwest
The great glacial gorge of the Ruby Mountains, with a paved scenic byway to high trailheads and hanging valleys.
Elko
About 65 miles northwest
The ranching and mining hub of northeastern Nevada, with historic Basque restaurants and the Northeastern Nevada Museum.