Lovelock Cave Historic Site

Overview:

Lovelock Cave Historic Site is at the end of a designated backcountry byway along unpaved roads. The site features a cave with historic significance, an information kiosk, a self-guided nature trail, a covered picnic table, and a vault toilet. At the cave entrance, visitors will find a wooden deck, visitor log, and educational signs.

Vehicle Access: A high-clearance vehicle is not required. The roads are well-maintained dirt/gravel.

Camping: Although this is not considered a camping destination, overnight stays are allowed in the designated parking area.

Activities: Popular activities include visiting the historic site and hiking the self-guided trail.

Point of Interest:

Lovelock Cave is a site of historical significance known as the “Cradle of Great Basin Archaeology.”

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this unassuming cave was used by native peoples for thousands of years for shelter and storage.

Recent History

Lovelock Cave first received broader attention in the 1910s by guano (bat dung) miners who found artifacts in the cave deposits. The find was reported to researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and archaeological investigations began in 1912. Work continued intermittently in the cave through the 1960s.

Lovelock Cave was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 1984.

Since 2006, the BLM Humboldt River Field Office and local organizations sponsor “Lovelock Cave Days.” This event brings hundreds of elementary school students to Lovelock Cave where they can experience an important part of Nevada’s rich history.

Artifacts

This is the original site of the famous Lovelock Cave duck decoys, which at 2,000 years old, are the oldest in the world. Among these, the “Tule Duck Decoy” is officially recognized as Nevada's State Artifact.

The oldest artifacts are attributed to the Northern Paiute, who likely first used the cave for storage and shelter thousands of years ago. The cave hosted over 10,000 artifacts such as baskets, textiles, and other tools. The cave was also found to contain human remains that are up to 4,000 years old. While some artifacts are on display at museums around the U.S., others have been repatriated to native tribes of Nevada.

Today, the cave is empty of artifacts but allows us to visit the site of their important rediscovery.

Know Before You Go:


25 mph is recommended along the entrance road.
Bring sturdy footwear, water, and a flashlight to view the cave.
Interpretive trail brochures are in a metal box mounted to the information kiosk.
This site is remote.
There is no drinking water.
There is limited cell coverage.
Temperatures can fluctuate quickly.
Animals may roost in the cave. Their movements can be startling, so please watch your footing.
Watch for rattlesnakes, especially in warmer months when they seek cool places under rocks and bushes.
This site is important to many people still living today.
Please dispose of litter, leave any found artifacts, and report vandalism or other disruptive behaviors to the Winnemucca District Office.