What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Mongoose
The starting climb into the canyon, Mongoose has two downhill paths that are suitable for mountain bikes and runners.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Parallel
A challenging path with lots of loose, smooth dirt that is great for mountain bikes and off-road vehicles, this path is littered with large rocks and uneven terrain.
Length: 1.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Boar's Head
Because this is a vegetation-dense trail with lots of opportunities for watching wildlife, visitors prefer to hike on it rather than take mountain bikes.
Length: 1.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Back 40
This path has mostly even terrain and few steep drops, making it an easygoing, yet exciting, option for beginners.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Rocky Top
The high elevation on this trail provides breathtaking views within the canyon and a great view of the surrounding area.
Length: 1.9 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Fishing and Boating
Fishing is possible at Barnes Canyon Trailhead. The Barnes Canyon Reservoir is the only on-site fishing spot, but it's an active fishing hole with plenty of fish to go around. To avoid the crowds, you may want to try another nearby option, such as the aptly titled Fish Lake Valley. It's 19 miles north of Barnes Canyon, but it's worth it — the fishing hole also has several accessible hot springs where you can take a swim. Boating is possible here as well with many free docks available. Bathrooms and other amenities are available in both locations. Nevada's lakes are home to many species of fish, like spotted bass, rainbow trout, many types of salmon, and catfish. A variety of colorful smaller fish can be caught at your leisure as well.
Climbing
Barnes Canyon is most suitable for activities like running and biking, but later trails feature some tough terrain to climb over. Many intermediate-level walls can be found in the Rocky Top and Boar's Head trails. Be mindful of elevation levels, entrances and exits, and expected difficulty levels when climbing. It's easier for novices to bite off more than they can chew without realizing it.
Wildlife Viewing
You can see a variety of wildlife in Barnes Canyon. Roadrunners and small reptiles are common animals in the region. Wild sheep, coyotes, and even tortoises can be seen as well. Unique insects and bats can be seen in the late afternoon and evening hours. Wildlife becomes more sparse the deeper into the trail's loop you travel.
Picnicking
The reception area at Barnes Canyon Reservoir is the hub for benches, picnic tables, and outhouses. You will find pleasant scenery and a view of the reservoir to enjoy with your meal. Picnicking is permitted throughout the rest of the canyon as well, though there are no tables or benches on the actual trails. ATVers are welcome to bring portable grills and coolers with them for tailgating and similar activities.
Stargazing
Barnes Canyon Trailhead is a remote location tucked away in Nevada's mountains. There isn't any smog or artificial light to interfere with the view of the star-filled sky. This makes the locale an excellent spot for stargazing and nighttime campfires.
