Kershaw–Ryan State Park

Kershaw–Ryan State Park is a public recreation area on Nevada State Route 317, two miles (3.2 km) south of the town of Caliente, Nevada. The state park covers 265 acres (107 ha) at the northern end of Rainbow Canyon in an area that was homesteaded in 1873.[3]

Kershaw–Ryan State Park
Location in Nevada
LocationLincoln County, Nevada, United States
Nearest cityCaliente, Nevada
Coordinates37°35′19″N 114°31′31″W[1]
Area264.74 acres (107.14 ha)[2]
Elevation4,505 ft (1,373 m)[1]
DesignationNevada state park
Established1935
AdministratorNevada Division of State Parks
WebsiteKershaw–Ryan State Park

History

The canyon was settled in 1873 by Samuel and Hannah Kershaw, who operated a ranch called the Meadow Valley Wash Ranch. In 1904, they sold the property to rancher James Ryan, who donated the land to the state in 1926 to be a public park. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed visitor amenities in 1934, and Kershaw–Ryan State Park was officially established as one of Nevada's first four state parks the following year.[4] A flash flood in 1984 destroyed most of the park's facilities, including the stone caretaker's cabin built by the CCC. After rebuilding and redesign, the park reopened in 1997.[5] The trail system was expanded by 3.28 miles by the Great Basin Institute between August of 2018 and late 2019.[6]

Activities and amenities

The park offers camping, picnicking, and a group-use area. Hikers can explore the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Canyon Overlook Trail and shorter Rattlesnake Loop.[3]

References
  1. "Kershaw-Ryan State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "Inventory of State Lands" (PDF). Nevada Division of State Lands. April 27, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  3. "Kershaw–Ryan State Park". Nevada State Parks. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  4. Renee Corona Kolvet; Victoria Ford (2006). The Civilian Conservation Corps in Nevada: From Boys to Men. University of Nevada Press. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-87417-676-6. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  5. "History of Kershaw–Ryan State Park". Nevada State Parks. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  6. "NCC BLAZING (AND IMPROVING) TRAIL AT KERSHAW-RYAN STATE PARK". Updates From The Field. Great Basin Institute. November 12, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
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