Kershaw-Ryan State Park
Caliente, NV
A green canyon oasis just south of Caliente, with a spring-fed pond, picnic lawns and short trails up the volcanic walls. It has a small campground; day-use fee.
Kershaw-Ryan State Park is in Lincoln County, Nevada, about 2 miles (roughly 3 kilometers) south of Caliente on State Route 317, at the northern end of Rainbow Canyon. It covers about 265 acres (roughly 107 hectares) at 4,515 feet (about 1,376 meters) and is managed by the Nevada Division of State Parks.
Samuel and Hannah Kershaw settled here in 1873 and ran the Meadow Valley Wash Ranch. In 1904 it passed to the rancher James Ryan, who donated the land to the state as a public park in 1926. The Civilian Conservation Corps built visitor facilities in 1934; in 1935 the park became one of Nevada's first four state parks. A flash flood in 1984 destroyed most of the facilities, and the park reopened in 1997 after rebuilding.
Today there are hiking trails, including the 1.5-mile Canyon Overlook Trail and the shorter Rattlesnake Loop, picnic areas and a campground with 16 sites with power and water plus four tent sites. According to the park, site water is usually shut off around the end of October and turned back on in April (winter operations from November to April; as of October 2026, check in advance). Watch for rattlesnakes in summer and for flash floods during thunderstorms.
- Nearest town
- Caliente, NV
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 37.5870, -114.5270
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and May. Hot in June–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Kershaw CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Kershaw-Ryan State Park
- Agua CalienteMotorhome stopover3 mi from Kershaw-Ryan State ParkMotorhomes
- Cabin Pines CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Kershaw-Ryan State Park
- Chief Mountain South TrailheadCampsite7 mi from Kershaw-Ryan State ParkFree
- Chief Mountain West TrailheadCampsite14 mi from Kershaw-Ryan State ParkFree
- Pioche RV Park and CampgroundMotorhome stopover24 mi from Kershaw-Ryan State ParkMotorhomesElectricity
All campsites in Nevada · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kershaw-Ryan State Park?
Kershaw-Ryan State Park is in Caliente, NV, at GPS 37.5870, -114.5270. It is about 24 mi from Pioche.
Can you camp near Kershaw-Ryan State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Kershaw Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Kershaw-Ryan State Park?
Kershaw-Ryan State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Great Basin Highway: canyons, ghost towns and charcoal ovens.
What is there to see near Kershaw-Ryan State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cathedral Gorge State Park (17 mi), Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (38 mi), Snow Canyon State Park (55 mi) and Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park (72 mi).
When is the best time to visit Kershaw-Ryan State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)