Skip to Content

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Ghost Town of Berlin, Nevada, outside of Reno, Nevada

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Overview

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park contains a town built in the 1890s that is preserved in a state of arrested decay. A true Nevada ghost town, many of Berlin’s original buildings remain and some of its original residents are interred in the town’s cemetery. Trails throughout the townsite tell the story of Berlin and its mine.

The park is also home to the most abundant concentration, and largest known remains, of Ichthyosaurs, an ancient marine reptile that swam in a warm ocean that covered central Nevada 225 million years ago. The fossils are protected and displayed at the park’s Fossil House.

The elevation range is from 6,840′ to 7,880′ and covers an area of 1,768 mi².

Click here to learn about other Nevada State Parks and other fun things to do in Nevada.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Weather

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Weather

How to Get to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Location

Located in Nye County, Nevada on State Route 844 in Austin, Nevada.

Hours Open

This state park is open 365 days and all hours.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Map

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Map

Click here to view a larger version of the above image of the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Map.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Contact Information

  • Phone number: 775-964-2440
  • Email: bisp@parks.nv.gov
  • Address: HC-61 Box 61200 – Austin, NV 89310

Fees

The entrance fee for the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is $5.00 per vehicle. 

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Amenities

  • ADA Campsites
  • Bike Trails
  • Bird Watching 
  • Camping
  • Drinking Water
  • Equestrian
  • Hiking
  • Picnic Sites
  • Restrooms
  • RV Dump Station

Hiking at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

There are five “hiking” trails within this park:

  1. Berlin Townsite Loop – 0.9 miles
  2. Richmond Canyon Loop – 2.0 miles
  3. Diane Mine Loop – 0.4 miles
  4. Cemetery Trail – 0.3 miles
  5. Nature Trail – 0.4 miles

Camping

There is camping in this park and the fee is $15 per night.

The park contains 14 well-spaced units (open year-round), some suitable for RVs up to 25 feet, with fire rings, BBQ grills, covered tables, drinking water (typically available from mid-April through the end of October), and restrooms nearby.

An RV dump station is also available.

Camping is limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.

Wildlife

Common animal inhabitants include mule deer, black-tail jackrabbits, cottontails, western bluebirds, pinyon jays, chukar partridge, whiptail lizards, western fence lizards, gophers, and snakes.

ATVs at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Motorized vehicles are not allowed in this park.

Drones at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Drones are not allowed in Nevada State Parks.

Dog-Friendly

Dogs on a leash no more than 6′ are allowed in the park.

Related Content

Nevada State Parks

Clark County, NV

Douglas County, NV

Elko County, NV

Lincoln County, NV

Lyon County, NV

Nye County, NV

Pershing County, NV

Washoe County, NV

White Pine County, NV

 

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park