Black Rock Playa

Total Miles 58
Technical Rating
2 Easy
Best Time Fall
Trail Type High-Clearance 4x4 Trail
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

This route explores the Black Rock Playa, and then exits to the north and connects to the High Rock Canyon route to the west, or the Summit Lake Reservation route that continues north into Oregon. This route explores Black Rock City, the site of the Burning Man festival, on the open playa, Black Rock Hot Springs, Double Hot Springs and meandering two track as it works it's way north. The playa silt turns to muck when wet. Do not enter if there have been recent rains or if rain is forecast.

Photos of Black Rock Playa

Difficulty

The playa itself is dead flat, and passenger cars are often out on it. Past Black Rock Point, a high clearance vehicle aired down is prudent.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

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Joe Genshlea
May 05, 2025
Open
Playa was dry enough to drive on in most spots. Care should be exercised when traveling away from established tracks because there are still some muddy spots here and there.
Rob Ashlock
Sep 23, 2024
Open
After recent rains, a lot of the trail closer to the playa has some deeper washouts where a non-lifted vehicle won't make it through. We were supposed to have a lifted Rav4 in our crew who didn't come and he wouldn't have made it through. We each had 2.5-3 inch lifted Tacomas and we were good.
Evan Risucci
Jun 03, 2023
Open

Black Rock Playa Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High Clearance

Black Rock Playa Map

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