National park · United States
Berlin–Ichthyosaur State ParkBerlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Go if you are already driving US-95 between Las Vegas and Reno: 2–3 hours covers the fossil shelter, the Berlin ghost town and one short trail. Skip it as a day trip from Las Vegas — 5+ hours of driving each way.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (6 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 6 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (6 km²)
- About 1,540 acres of state park land around the Berlin townsite and the fossil beds (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
A small Nevada state park in the Shoshone Range of Nye County that holds two unrelated things in one place: the arrested-decay mining town of Berlin, abandoned by 1911, and the Fossil House over one of the densest concentrations of ichthyosaur remains known anywhere. There is no town, no fuel and no food here; Gabbs, 20 miles away, is the nearest supply point. Come for the fossils and the quiet, not for a full day of hiking.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
6 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (6 km²) · national park since 1970
About 1,540 acres of state park land around the Berlin townsite and the fossil beds (check).
Why go
- The Fossil House protects a dense ichthyosaur bone bed — marine reptiles that swam here in the Triassic, now at 7,000 ft in the desert.
- Berlin is a genuine 1890s mining town left in 'arrested decay': mill ruins, a stamp mill and houses you walk through on a self-guided loop.
- Dark skies and silence: the campground sits far from any city light, and nights here are cold and clear.
- It fits a US-95 road trip between Las Vegas and Reno with only a short detour east at Gabbs.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanSnow and ice on the access road; ranger staffing minimal
- FebCold, wind, possible snow
- MarMild days, freezing nights; check road conditions
- AprCampground water and restrooms typically open
- MayFossil House tours start; warm days, cool nights
- JunHot by late morning; start early
- JulMonsoon storms possible; 35°C (95°F)+ afternoonsMonsoon storms possible; 95°F (35°C)+ afternoons
- AugHottest and storm-prone; carry extra water
- SepTours wind down; heat eases late in the month
- OctCool, clear, quiet; best walking weather
- NovCold nights, empty trails; services thin out
- DecWinter closure risk on the unpaved approach
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert bighorn sheep on the surrounding slopesMar–May, Oct–Nov · Distant sightings from the access road; do not approach. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Rattlesnakes and scorpionsApr–Oct · Watch where you put hands and feet around ruins and rocks. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Pinyon jays and other high-desert birdsApr–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Las Vegas
US-95 north to Luning, NV-361 north, then NV-844 east past Gabbs; the last stretch is unpaved.
5–5.5 h
From Reno
US-95 south to Luning, then NV-361 and NV-844 as above.
4.5–5 h
Open the page →
From Gabbs
NV-844 east; the nearest fuel and small market are here.
40–50 min
From Death Valley
North on US-95 through Beatty and Goldfield, then NV-361 and NV-844.
5–6 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin townsite | Mill ruins, the stamp mill, a few houses and the mine entrance, all left in arrested decay. | Open with day-use entry; self-guided walking loop. |
| Fossil House | A protective shelter over the ichthyosaur excavation, with a large mural outside. | Ranger-guided only, seasonal. |
| Diana Mine | A hard-rock mine tunnel with original workings. | Guided tours only, May–Sep, age 6+. |
| Campground and nature trail | 14 sites, drinking water in season, and a short trail linking camp to the Fossil House. | Open to campers and day visitors. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions within the park from the entrance to the Fossil House; for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use entrance | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate; Nevada state parks have raised day-use fees in recent years, so confirm at the gate (check). |
| Camping | US$15–20 | night | 2026 estimate for a first-come site; no reservation system (check). |
| Diana Mine tour | US$5–10 | person | 2026 estimate; runs May–Sep, Fri–Sun, reservations required (check). |
| Fossil House tour | Free | person | Included with day-use entry in recent seasons (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use entry permit or guide
Diana Mine tour reservation permit or guide
Camping no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$15–20
- US$5–10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Nevada State Parks — Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay out of closed structures
- Berlin's buildings are unstable; view from the path and do not enter roped-off ruins.
- No collecting
- Fossils, artefacts and mining relics are protected; removing any is illegal.
- Dogs
- Allowed in the campground and on the townsite paths on a leash; not on guided mine or Fossil House tours (check).
- Campfires
- Only in provided fire rings, and only when no fire restrictions are in force.
- Water
- Campground water is seasonal; carry your own and do not rely on taps in winter.
Where to stay
In the park
Park campground
14 sites, some for RVs up to 25 ft; fire rings, grills, tables; water and restrooms roughly April–October; 14-night limit in any 30 days.
Near the park
Gabbs
Small motel and market 20 miles west; the nearest practical base.
Near the park
Fallon or Tonopah
Full services, but 2.5–3 hours away — too far for a same-day visit.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Remote location, no phone signal high
Unpaved access road medium
Winter cold and ice medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Fossil House and the main Berlin paths are short and mostly level, with gravel surfaces.
- The Diana Mine tour involves uneven ground and low passages; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- No paved paths beyond the parking areas; assistance is recommended for visitors with limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish — services here are minimal and bins may be full or absent.
- Stay on marked paths around the ruins and fossil beds to limit erosion and damage.
- Buy fuel and supplies in Gabbs or Fallon so the money stays in the county.
- Keep the night sky dark: use shielded, downward-facing light after sunset.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park?
Day-use entry has been US$5 per person (2026 estimate). Nevada state parks have been raising fees, so treat $5 as a guide and confirm at the gate or on the parks.nv.gov page before you drive out (check). Camping is charged separately per night.
What are the best hikes in Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park?
There is only one marked trail: the short nature trail between the campground and the Fossil House, 30–45 minutes at an easy pace. Everything else is walking, not hiking — the self-guided Berlin townsite loop takes about an hour. This is a fossil-and-ghost-town stop, not a trail park; for real hiking, look at Death Valley or Great Basin instead.
When is the best time to visit Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park?
May, early June, September and October. Days are warm rather than punishing, nights are cool, and the Fossil House tour season covers late May to early September. July and August push past 38°C with monsoon storm risk; December to February can close the unpaved approach with snow.
Are the Fossil House and Diana Mine tours running?
Both are seasonal and depend on ranger staffing. The Fossil House has historically run daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the Diana Mine on Fridays to Sundays from 1 May to 30 September with reservations and a minimum age of 6. Call the park office before travelling, as schedules change year to year (check).
Can I camp at Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park?
Yes — 14 first-come sites, some suitable for RVs up to 25 ft, with fire rings, grills and tables. Drinking water and restrooms are typically available April to October only. Stays are limited to 14 nights in any 30-day period. There is no online booking.
Is Berlin–Ichthyosaur worth it from Las Vegas?
Not as a day trip: it is 5–5.5 hours each way. It works as an overnight stop on a US-95 run between Las Vegas and Reno, or paired with a Death Valley and Basin and Range loop. Two to three hours on site covers the Fossil House, Berlin and the nature trail.
Do I need a national park pass here?
No. This is a Nevada state park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not apply. You pay the state day-use fee instead. See the national park passes page if you are also visiting federal parks on the same trip.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go