Kershaw-Ryan State Park ~ Nevada

​Flickr album link: Kershaw-Ryan State Park

Even during the worst possible drought conditions there is one place to go in southern Nevada where lush green growth and blooming flowers are guaranteed to be seen. Kershaw-Ryan State Park is the spot to look for on the map and this picturesque oasis is very easy to access. This state park is located just south of Caliente and the road is paved, so any kind of vehicle can get here, including RV campers and trailer haulers. Kershaw-Ryan State Park features a fully developed small campground with picnic tables, chargrills, showers and a dump station, so it is possible to do an extended stay. All it takes is one look at the majestic canyon setting and the lush city park style oasis to get the urge to stick around a while, so be sure to make Nevada State Park system reservations well ahead of time.  

Kershaw-Ryan State Park definitely is a gem of a western destination and the best time for a visit are the spring or fall seasons while the temperatures are comfortable. One of the benefits of planning a spring season trip is having the opportunity to view a wide variety of splendid garden flowers and local wildflowers in the same place. The oasis gardens feature both exotic roses and cactus flowers, which truly are the rosebuds of the west. Many more colorful flower species are tended to in this garden, so there will be plenty of spring season eye candy to be found here even during long term drought conditions, which currently exist. 

The lush green spring fed oasis is a day use picnic area and it is a recreation site that is operated like a small city park. There are horseshoe pits, a volleyball court and plenty of shade trees that are perfect for lazing the afternoon away. The old CCC structures and the ranching history of this park are interesting to discover, which will draw the interest of visitors of all ages. Timeless moments can be spent gazing into the gold fish pond, which has a waterfall that provides soothing sounds. There are also several hiking trails that offer an opportunity to explore more of the picturesque canyon terrain, which is amazing to see. The surrounding canyon walls tower hundreds of feet above this state park and they are riddled with pocket caves, so this is a good place to view raptors by day and bats after dark. Caliente is just a few miles away and this town offers modern amenities along with unique historic sites that are well worth checking out. A previous article features Rainbow Canyon and the old Elgin Schoolhouse, which are in this neighborhood too. With all this going on and beautiful flowers to view, it is easy to see why Kershaw-Ryan State Park belong high on the spring season destination list!
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