I worked in west central Nevada in 1980 and 1981, and then lived in eastern Nevada for another four years. During that time I had many opportunities to drive along Walker Lake and to visit this major geologic feature along the western side of the state. I stayed in Gabbs and Hawthorne for several weeks and visited the lake at least twice during that stay; once for a bit of swimming and sun bathing, and once for the Walker Lake 500, which is (or was) a very popular high speed boat race. It's quite an exciting time for Hawthorne when the speed boaters are in town.

The lake is usually steely blue and is like a jewel set among the desert slopes surrounding it. But it isn't a clean lake, and the beaches, although sandy, seemed to be mixed with stones, driftwood, and other water washed debris.

I've never camped along the lake, but the shore is quite exposed and would no doubt be very hot in the summer months and windy and cold in the winter.

The highway passes along the lake, and provides many wonderful views of its expanse and setting. Unless you are a fisherman or boater, or need a place to camp overnight, I don't know if this lake is worth more than the passing glance as you head north or south along its western shore.