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Mt. Irish Archeological Site

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Mt. Irish Archeological Site

Mt. Irish Archaeological Site is located in the historic district of the same name in eastern Nevada. The district is home to beautiful scenery and 640 acres of land you can explore. Many of the gorgeous cave drawings show what life was like for the Native Americans who lived there during ancient times. In addition to cultural sites and hiking trails, the archaeological site hosts campsites maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Leviathan Cave

Head into the nearby Worthington Mountains Wilderness to hike along this trail that takes roughly three hours. It moves through the mountain range and hits different highs and lows to create some challenges.

Length: 3.8 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Ella Mountain Trail

Take your bike to this trail to find 25 miles of open spaces and challenging spots. There are slipknots that test your skills and plenty of spots to take in the views below.

Length: 25 miles

Intensity: Difficult

White River Petroglyphs Trail

Suitable for most hikers who are in good shape, this trail runs near the White River. You need to watch your footing as you take in the petroglyphs.

Length: 4.3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Cathedral Gorge Trail

Designed for beginners, this mountain bike trail runs near rock cliffs with nice views. You might hear some call it the Juniper Draw Loop Trail.

Length: 3 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing & Boating

You don't need to leave Lincoln County to find fishing spots such as Nesbitt Lake. Both this lake and Upper Pahranagat Lake are in the northern part of the county and feature crappie, bullhead catfish, and largemouth bass. Eagle Valley Reservoir and Beaver Dam Creek have rainbow trout and are in the southern region of the county. If you're a fan of boating, try the waters in Echo Canyon State Park or Spring Valley State Park. Though both parks allow you to bring different types of boats, you may find posted signs that outline their rules for boaters.

Wildlife Viewing

The quiet and peaceful nature of Mt. Irish Archaeological Site helps you spot many different types of birds such as mountain bluebirds and house finches. You may see some hummingbirds and mourning doves, too. Native animals include turtles, rabbits, bobcats, horned toads, bats, and mountain lions.

Picnicking

As Mt. Irish Archaeological Site is a day-use site, you'll find various places to picnic. Stick close to the edge of the basin or plan a trip up to the mountain range.

Sightseeing

Most visitors come to Mt. Irish Archaeological Site for the pictographs and other archaeological sites. The BLM has a sign right at the entrance that marks the site and another sign near the Paiute Rocks. Stop by the registration box to find copies of two different booklets that include maps of the site and information on what you'll find. The pictographs and other drawings date back centuries.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

RV camping gives you a different option aside from BLM campsites that lack the hookups you need. Green Valley Grocery & RV Park is in Hiko and has full hookups. The on-site grocery store stocks standard groceries and some camping supplies. You can also stay at Picketts RV Park in Alamo, a campground featuring 28 sites with full hookups and both cable TV and Wi-Fi. A propane station sells tanks for your RV, and you'll find a deli and grocery store just blocks away.

Free Camping

The best place to find free BLM camping is near the Chief Mountain South Trailhead, which is east of the site. This campground is free to use and has a handful of sites. You won't find amenities such as water or power hookups, but there are fire rings and picnic tables on most sites.

RV Rentals Near Mt. Irish Archeological Site Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Mt. Irish Archeological Site BLM trip

Unlike standard campgrounds, BLM campgrounds do not accept reservations. You run the risk of getting to the campground near Mt. Irish Archaeological Site and finding all of the spots already in use, so it's helpful to arrive early in the morning to check into your spot. Even if there are RVs and tents on those sites, you might find people leaving within a few hours. Take a few minutes to make sure your RV is level when you set up, as many of these sites are rocky and uneven.

Think about stopping in Hiko to stock up on supplies because this campground is quite remote, and there are no restaurants or shops nearby that will deliver. You should also stop by the brown sign outside of the Mt. Irish Archaeological Site to grab the two booklets inside the nearby box. These booklets give you directions to Shooting Gallery Archaeological Site to the south and Oak Springs Summit Trilobite Site to the west. You'll also find some helpful tips on how to stay safe during your trip and the best way to contact the BLM.

Find some helpful BLM camping tips to make the most of your Mt. Irish Archaeological Site trip.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a simple concept that says you should leave no trace when you leave a natural landmark. Whether you visit the Mt. Irish Archaeological Site for the day or camp nearby, bring bags to keep track of your trash. Either place your trash in the marked cans or dispose of it when you get to Hiko or Alamo. Stick to the marked paths to make sure you do not disrupt the birds and other animals on the site, and never mark any of the ancient rocks or change them in any way as this will do some serious damage. Do not take any of the rocks or other things you see as souvenirs, no matter how small they are. It's also helpful to keep an eye on your campfire and make sure it stays contained.