Berlin-Ichthyosaur Road

Berlin-Ichthyosaur Road climbs through juniper-dotted hills to one of Nevada’s most complete ghost towns, where machine shops, mills, and miners’ cabins remain frozen in time since the silver boom collapsed in 1911. The 14-mile gravel road starts near Gabbs and winds through classic Great Basin country, crossing several cattleguards and sandy washes before reaching Berlin’s weathered buildings. Just beyond the ghost town lies Ichthyosaur State Park, where 180-million-year-old marine reptile fossils—some 50 feet long—lie exposed in an ancient seabed.

Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for most high-clearance vehicles, though the final approach to the fossil site requires careful navigation around loose rock sections. Spring and fall offer ideal conditions, with wildflowers in wet years and comfortable temperatures for exploring. No permits needed for the road, but the fossil shelter requires park entry fees. Dispersed camping available along the route, though bring water and supplies from Fallon or Austin. The combination of mining history and paleontology makes this a unique Nevada adventure—from silver dreams to prehistoric seas.