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Moon Rocks is a fun riding area just north of Reno that has something for everyone. It’s got several play areas for motos, Jeeps, UTV’s, quads, you name it, and miles and miles of trails. The namesake rocks of the area provide an out-of-this-world backdrop for however you want to play out there.
| Distance | Over 100 hundred acres of trails |
| Elevation | 4300′-6500′ |
| Surface Type | Sand, Dirt, Loose Rock |
| Kid Friendly | Yes, with caution |
| Dog Friendly | OK when camping, otherwise I wouldn’t. Watch for fast moving vehicles! |
| Amenities | None |
Staging – You’ll find 2 main staging areas at Moon Rocks. One is on the left side of the ride as you are heading in on Winnemucca Ranch Rd. This is a smaller lot that is mostly used by the hard-core moto crowd and can fill up on the weekends. If you keep going about a mile further on dirt you’ll see a sign and road on the left for the main staging area at the actual Moon Rocks. Head down that road and you will run right into the staging area. At this point you can either find a spot there or go in farther if you want to get away from the crowds.
Camping – Moon Rocks is on BLM land so you can camp here if you want. If you are out there on a holiday weekend, or most any nice weekend, you’ll find RV’s and toy haulers scattered all over the place. It’s mostly clean out there except for the remnants of fire pits so let’s keep it that way! Pack out what you pack in. And be careful with your pets. When things get busy people aren’t always watching for your wandering dog.
Riding – Once you are staged and ready all you have to do is pick a direction to go in. The trails here are like a huge maze. Mostly lower down on the hills you’ll find sand washes, double track and Jeep trails. Some double track and Jeep trails criss-cross up and over the hills but also watch for single track. You can find single track everywhere. If you head north you can go to higher elevations and some steep rocky climbs. I do not recommend going higher if you are not an experienced rider. Stay lower and have more fun.
Once you ride in the area a few times you’ll get a better sense of how things are laid out. This is one area where I go more off of memory and landmarks than anything else. If you drop into a canyon and aren’t sure which way to go, just pop up onto a ridge to see where you are. South is Hungry Valley, the biggest mountain is to the north with the main staging area at the base, east is the main road and west is flat desert. The fun thing about riding out here is that you can stay close to camp or explore further out, either way you’ll have fun. Ride to your level and have fun!
Cautions – Just a few things to think about while you’re out there.
- Bring water, Moon Rocks has NO services. You will be out in the middle of the desert with only what you bring with you.
- Watch for traffic. Things get busy on the weekends and people get crazier.
- Be respectful. Give people space when passing, go easy on the dust, watch out for kids in and near the staging areas.
- Watch for shooters. If you go further out then you might see shooters so be aware. It might not be a big deal but it would also be easier to just avoid a single track trail that happens to wind up behind the hill they are shooting against.
- Cell phones. Phones do work in a lot of the area, especially if you are on a hill.
