NOS Destination Recreation- Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

About 2 hours outside of Winnemucca you will find the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge containing Dufurrena Ponds, Virgin Valley Hot Springs, and an opal mine!

If you love viewing wildlife, fishing, hiking, camping, rockhounding, and/or soaking, this place is for you!

There are no entrance fees to the Sheldon Refuge or Dufurrena Ponds but if you do plan on going to the opal mines be prepared to pay to dig. At the campgrounds, there are areas to dry camp, pull and park a 5th wheel or bumper pull camper. These areas are free to use. The campgrounds also include bathrooms and a shower area at the hot pond. Campfires are only permitted in designated fire rings and fires may be restricted during times of increased fire risk. Fires are not permitted when camping in the backcountry. If you do choose to have a fire in the permitted areas bring your own wood since gathering wood within the Refuge is prohibited. Remember to always check the fire restrictions for the area before your visit and plan accordingly. Pets must be leashed at all times except for bird dogs who can be unleashed but under the control of the 

handler.

         

I really enjoy spending my time in this area because no matter the time of year there is always something to do. In the spring, summer, and fall you can fish for white crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and bluegill. It is free to fish here but make sure that you have your fishing license! If you have a child under the age of 12 they can fish at McGee Pond near the campgrounds. If you choose to bring a boat to the ponds make sure that the motor is electric.  During these 3 seasons, an outdoor enthusiast can always hike within the refuge. But use caution since there are no designated hiking trails. When there is snow one could also practice snowshoeing. The cool thing about the Virgin Valley Hot Springs is that you can swim in them during the winter since they do not freeze! During your time exploring this area, you may see animals like bobcats, mountain lions, wild horses and burros, antelope, mule deer, California bighorn sheep, pygmy rabbits, sage grouse, prairie and peregrine falcons. One thing that you will not see is domesticated cattle since they have been excluded from the range since 1994. 

Something that has always fascinated me about the Sheldon Refuge is the history behind the area. There is evidence that places humans in the area 10,000-12,000 years ago living on the shores of lakes in the area. Artifacts, petroglyphs, and cave records show that Native American tribes traveled and used the area. The Northern Paiute and Shoshone hunted and gathered in the area. They would follow the migrating animals in the area during all seasons. During the winter they would gather and settle around the warm springs in the area. Around 20 million years ago the Sheldon Refuge was primarily pine forests and grasslands and had more than 50 inches of rainfall a year. Lakes covered the land and glaciers scared the land while they moved. When volcanoes in the area erupted the surface sank and organic matter dissolved and petrified wood. One of the attractions of the area is the Royal Peacock Mine in which you can mine for this petrified wood and other minerals.  

There are several things that visitors can do in order to keep the integrity of the area and to keep the area open for future generations:

1. Visitors should choose to pick up and dispose of trash (dog waste, food waste and wrappers, fish carcasses, ect.) in the correct manner. This reduces the waste that can be blown into the ponds which provide habitat and food to the animals in the area. There is a large dumpster up the road headed towards Lakeview for visitors to take their trash to. This is about 5 minutes away from the turn-off to the ponds.

2. Fishermen should only use electric motors or paddles when using boats in the ponds. Using gas motors could pollute the pond causing a major fish die off or kill birds or animals in the area.

3. If an individual who is looking for rocks or opals finds artifacts in the area they should leave it where they find it. Instead of taking the item or moving it, a person can take a picture or video of the item to document their discovery. By leaving the item this ensures that others can also have the same experience. It also helps preserve the history of the area for years to come.

4. Before entering the hot ponds visitors should shower. This will help take pollutants off the swimmer before they go swimming. Pollutants can be sunscreen, hair spray, deodorant, perfume, and shampoo/conditioner. These all can pollute the water that feeds animals and fish in the area. They can also disrupt the biology of the water.   

Directions:

Starting in Winnemucca Nevada, head north towards NV-140. At NV-140 turn left towards Denio Junction. Travel 65 miles until you reach Denio Junction and turn left to keep on NV-140 and travel 25 more miles where you will turn left towards the ponds. Travel 1 more mile and you will reach pond number 21. If you travel about 2 more miles down the road you will reach the Virgin Valley Hot Springs. The entire travel time from Winnemucca to the hot springs is about 2 hours.