Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Highlights

For riders who want the grand, remote Nevada experience—vast sage country, true solitude, and horse travel that feels genuinely wild—Sheldon is exceptional.

Riding

Horseback riding is allowed across most of Sheldon, and the landscape rewards riders who love open country. Expect primitive roads, broad basins, rimrock horizons, and the deep calm that comes only with genuine distance from towns.

Rideable terrain

570,000 acres

Trailer parking

This is a self-supported remote refuge ride; stock users typically stage from campgrounds or suitable open-road access points, with corrals available at Badger and Fish Springs campgrounds

Horse regulations

All recreation is regulated to protect wildlife, so riders should review refuge rules carefully, stay alert to seasonal road conditions, and treat the area as a sensitive wildlife landscape rather than general public-range recreation.

Getting here

Preparation is everything here. The refuge is vast, roads are remote, and the most comfortable experience comes from planning stock logistics, weather, fuel, and route ideas long before you see the first sage plateau.

Planning your visit

This is best for experienced, self-sufficient horse travelers. Carry more emergency gear than you think you need, check current road conditions, and embrace the fact that the payoff here is isolation, not convenience.

Where to stay

Camping with stock is allowed in designated campgrounds or by permit, and corrals are provided at Badger and Fish Springs. For horse campers seeking a true Nevada wilderness mood, this is one of the strongest entries on the sheet.