BLM announces reopening of Sand Mountain Recreation Area Saturday, May 9
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CARSON CITY, Nev – With the lifting of public health and safety restrictions enacted by Nevada government officials, the Bureau of Land Management, Stillwater Field Office (SFO), today announced that Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA) will re-open to the public for recreational access. The BLM is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a case-by-case basis.
Beginning Saturday, May 9, Sand Mountain Recreation Area will re-open access for all uses including day use and overnight camping.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area is located approximately twenty-five miles south east of Fallon, NV on U.S. 50 in Churchill County. The 4,808-acre Sand Mountain Recreation Area is a designated off-highway vehicle fee site and was temporarily closed for public safety reasons.
Considering the emergency safety closure of public lands at SMRA, the BLM, SFO, will extend all Sand Mountain annual passes purchased prior to the closure. This extension will be based on the amount of time this area was closed.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Sand Mountain Recreation Area, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and to regularly monitor these. We continue to work closely with the Department of the Interior and follow CDC guidance to ensure public and employee spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders including Governor Sisolak’s standards for individuals, businesses and employers, practice Leave No Trace principles, practice social distancing and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. The public should ensure safe distance practices for recreating, camping and interacting.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating on public lands prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on operations will continue to be posted on our website https://www.blm.gov/office/carson-city-district-office and social media channels. Updates about BLM operations will be posted on www.blm.gov
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.