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Nevada State Parks

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Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park © Peggy Austin
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park © Gary OToole
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BERLIN-ICHTHYOSAUR STATE PARK
BERLIN-ICHTHYOSAUR STATE PARK
HC 61 Box 61200
Austin, Nevada   89310

Phone: 775-964-2440
Email: park email button icon
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is located 23 miles east of Gabbs, via State Route 844. The park is open all year but extreme winter weather may prohibit travel. Nestled at 7,000 feet on the scenic western slope of central Nevada's Shoshone mountain range, the park provides a vast array of stimulating recreational opportunities. The forested slopes provide shade and breezes help to moderate the summer temperatures which seldom exceed 90 F (32o C). Late spring and early fall can often be the nicest times of the year. Winter visits to the park are possible, but be certain to call for weather and road conditions.
Nature of the Area
Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park encompasses 1,153 acres. The elevation ranges from 6,840 feet to a high point of 7,880 feet. The hillsides in the park are covered with Big Sagebrush (The Nevada State Flower) while Pinyon Pine and Utah Juniper dominate the upper elevations.

Some common animal inhabitants include mule deer, black-tailed jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, western bluebirds, pinon jays, chuckar partridge, whiptail lizards, western fence lizards, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes.
History of the Area
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park was first established in 1957 to protect and display North America's most abundant concentration and largest known Ichthyosaur fossils. The park also preserves the turn-of-the-20th century mining town of Berlin as well as the Diana Mine. The Ichthyosaur fossil area is a Registered Natural Landmark and the historic townsite is on the National Register of Historic Places. These national designations speak to the unique value of the resources preserved here.

Berlin - A Turn-of-the-Century Mining Town. The first mining activity in the region was in May 1863 when a small group of prospectors discovered silver in Union Canyon and the small mining camp of Union was settled. The following year the Union Mining District was formed, including the towns of Union, Ione, Grantsville, and later, Berlin. The first assay report in Berlin Canyon was in 1869, but is was not until 1896 that the Berlin Mine was established. With the purchase of the mine and numerous surrounding mining claims by the Nevada Company in 1898, the town of Berlin was soon in its heyday until 1908, declining to its death by 1911.

With the rise of Berlin the old settlement of Union, a mile to the east, revived as its old buildings were used by the Berlin miners. During its heyday, Berlin and its Union suburbs supported 200-250 people including miners, woodcutters, charcoal makers, a doctor and nurse, a forest ranger and a prostitute. Buildings included a 30-stamp mill, assay office, barn and corrals, union hall, store and post office, infirmary, stage station and homes. Many of the buildings still remain. Some of the residents are interred in the cemetery below the town.

The Berlin Mine was worked from an incline shaft with eight levels. The total production of its three miles of tunnels is estimated to have been $849,000 at a time when gold was $20 per once. The Berlin Mill processed the ore by crusher, stamps, amalgamation, and concentrating tables.

Today Berlin stands as a true Nevada ghost town, preserved for present and future generations. Visitors are invited to walk through the old townsite, read the numerous descriptive signs, peer into the windows and imagine life during this colorful period of Nevada's past.The Diana Mine - A Walk Through Solid Rock.

The Diana Mine, also known as the Walter Bowler Tunnel, began operation early in the twentieth century concurrent with the boom at Berlin. It connects the surface with the fourth level of the Berlin Mine, via a lateral tunnel of over 1200 feet. Carved literally out of solid rock, the Diana Mine is much more than just a tunnel... it is a walk through the historical past. The Diana Mine remains much as it was left when activity ceased. One is left with the impression that the miners left just yesterday and will return tomorrow.

Entering the mine, visitors follows the original track laid down for the ore cart. One of the first things noticed is the cool draft characteristics of the mines and the even, year-round, temperatures. Among other period items encountered are an ore cart, side tunnels, a stope and ore chute, a winze, timbering and actual gold bearing quartz veins. Many other historical mining tools are displayed and interpreted for the visitors. Tour sizes are limited, so please call for tour availability and reservations.
Camping
Camping: 14 well-spaced units, some suitable for RVs to 25 ft, with fire ring, BBQ grill, covered table, drinking water (mid-April to October), and restrooms nearby. RV sanitary station is available.

Group Use: No formal group use area is available. Groups may use picnic area for day or overnight use with advanced reservations. To schedule group tours, please contact the park at the address or phone number shown.


Location
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is

Picnicking
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park offers picnic areas with tables and grills, perfect for a family outing amidst nature's beauty.
Trails
1. Fossil House Trail: This is a short, 0.2-mile trail that leads to the park's main attraction - an enclosed building housing several Ichthyosaur fossils.

2. Nature Loop Trail: A moderate difficulty level, this looped hiking path spans approximately one mile and offers views of local flora and fauna as well as interpretive signs about the area's geology.

3. Pine Nut Grove Loop: At around two miles long, this moderately challenging hike takes you through pine nut groves with opportunities for bird watching along the way.

4. Berlin Townsite Tour Pathway: Although not strictly a hiking trail, it allows visitors to walk among preserved buildings from Nevada's mining era; its length is roughly half a mile in total distance covered.

5. Cemetery Hill Hike: It covers less than half-a-mile but climbs steeply up Cemetery Hill offering panoramic vistas over Union Canyon below where old mine tailings can be seen clearly.

6. Union Canyon Overlook Walk: An easy stroll at just under quarter-of-a-mile which ends on top of hill overlooking scenic canyon landscape dotted by remnants of past mining activities.

7. Ichthyosaur Site Access Roadwalk: Not exactly designed for hikers yet used frequently due their interest in reaching fossil site directly without taking longer trails; measures nearly three-quarters-of-a- mile each way starting from visitor center parking lot till exhibit shelter entrance gate.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 5 Great weekend by Peggy_A_
park review stars; one to five We loved exploring wit our quads, going to Ione and Grantsville as well as Berlin and Union. The Ichthyosaur Tour was great and taught me a lot. I loved the campground too, lots of elbow room and great views. The hikes are very informative with the signage explaining different areas. Great job Rangers
October 9 A lovely place to visit by pbrewer6
park review stars; one to five We (2 adults, 2 kids) enjoyed this park very much. Camping area is clean & quiet with good sized campsites. The hikes were easy & informative...the kids loved the look into the past. The Park Rangers were friendly & informative; The Views were amazing!!
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