Spend Time in Your Own Country Estate: Kershaw-Ryan State Park

Much of Nevada’s scenic land is off-limits to visitors. Huge swaths are fenced off for military bases, private ranches, and massive estates. In the case of Kershaw-Ryan State Park, owners of an especially beautiful private estate donated it to Nevada to be enjoyed by all people, rich and poor alike. The state has lived up to its end of the bargain, taking care to keep Kershaw-Ryan pristine.

In the 1870s, Hannah and Samuel Kershaw settled in and operated what they called the Meadow Valley Wash Ranch. Their orchard was in the canyon that is at the heart of the park today. Thirty years later, the Kershaws sold the ranch to James and Patrick Ryan, who had extensive landholdings. A few more decades on, the Ryans donated the ranch to the fledgling Nevada State Parks system, making Kershaw-Ryan one of Nevada’s early state parks.

Kershaw-Ryan has the rugged, rocky, and wild terrain that other Nevada state parks are known for, but that’s not the featured attraction. Instead, visiting Kershaw-Ryan feels like spending time at your own well-tended, rustic, country estate. There are beautifully manicured lawns, where visitors can set down a blanket for a picnic; flower gardens, where something is always in bloom; an endless variety of mature shade trees to keep the canyon cool; and, at the heart of the park, a spring-fed pool, where kids can cool off.

Our state park system, and the Ryan brothers’ donation, mean you don’t have to be a wealthy cattle baron to enjoy this lush hideaway. All you need is the five-dollar entry fee.

Hike: Overlook Loop

Distance: 1.5 miles (There are longer trails — up to 6 miles — for more ambitious hikers.)

Equipment needed: Nothing beyond the usual gear for desert hiking, such as sturdy shoes, water, hat, sun protection, and a map. In the summer, watch out for rattlesnakes on the trail!

Getting There: Kershaw-Ryan State Park is just east of Caliente, Nevada. The Overlook Loop hike starts from the heart of the park, in the back — right as you walk among the gardens.

Pro Tip: To make the most of your trip to Caliente, add a stop at another nearby park. Cathedral Gorge, Elgin School, Echo Canyon, and Beaver Dam are all within easy driving distance. If you’re coming from Las Vegas, you can also stop by Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.

More Info: Nevada State Parks: Kershaw-Ryan State Park