Pyramid Lake, located near Reno, is a natural wonder that captures the essence of the state's diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage. Known for its strikingly blue waters and the unique pyramid-shaped rock formations from which it gets its name, Pyramid Lake is more than just a scenic destination. It holds significant ecological, cultural, and historical importance.

A glimmering, high-desert jewel, Pyramid Lake is a sacred remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahontan, and has been part of the Nevada story for thousands of years.

Home to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, this high-desert lake was named by explorer John C. Fremont for the pyramid-shaped limestone formation jutting out of the water along the eastern shoreline.

Situated about 40 minutes northwest of Reno, the lake offers plenty of surprises to first-time visitors.

Pyramid Lake is located entirely within the Paiute Indian Reservation. The reservation contains more than 475,000 acres of land, at the heart of which is Pyramid Lake.

The lake measures roughly 15 miles long by 11 miles wide, with a maximum depth of 350 feet and a shoreline slightly larger than nearby Lake Tahoe.

Known as one of North America’s most picturesque desert lakes, recreation abounds with year-round fishing and boating access, drawing anglers from all over the West.

The first white settler to discover the area was explorer John C. Fremont in 1844.

Human inhabitants have resided at Pyramid Lake for more than 4,000 years, and the Paiute tribe has lived successfully in the area for the past 600 years.

Today, the economy of the area is based on fishing, boating, camping, and other recreational activities.

Catching a salmon-sized Lahontan cutthroat trout is exciting any time. However, when you know the record-holding catch weighed in at 41 pounds, it’s no wonder fishermen from all over the country flock to Pyramid Lake to try their luck.

Pyramid Lake’s natural beauty and cultural resources attract visitors from around the world, and the tribe actively seeks to draw more visitors into the area.

In 1996, the Tribe completed the Pyramid Lake Museum and Cultural Center, located in Nixon, Nevada.

Exhibits at the museum describe the history and culture of the Northern Paiute and offer insight into why the Paiute people hold the lake and its surrounding landscape so sacred.

Other exhibits focus on the lake’s natural history and the diverse and often rare fish and wildlife that live there.

Fishing season for Lahontan cutthroat trout begins October 1 and ends June 30th. Fishing season for Sacramento perch is open year-round, and fishermen are allowed to catch and keep 10 per day. Fishing is permitted from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Website Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a jewel of Nevada, embodying the state's natural beauty and cultural richness. Its ecological diversity, cultural significance to the Paiute people, and recreational opportunities make it a unique and valuable resource. As a natural and cultural landmark, Pyramid Lake offers a profound reminder of the connection of nature, culture, and community.