Basics
- Length:
- 67 miles (107 km)
- Time:
- 4-5 hours to visit this byway.
Description
This Back Country Byway spans 67 miles beginning in Fort Churchill and ending in Wellington. Fort Churchill was named after Inspector General Sylvester Churchill of the US Army upon its construction in the 1860s. It was built in order to protect the Pony Express riders and settlers against the Indians. In 1957 Fort Churchill became part of the Nevada State Park system. Have fun exploring the area and learning about the significance of Fort Churchill.
Tourism Resources
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Details
Length:
Time:
Main Roads:
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
The byway begins at Fort Churchill, 35 miles east of Carson City. Leaving the fort, head west on Nevada State Rout 2B for 21 miles along the tree-lined Carson River to Dayton. The road follows the route of the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Turn south at Dayton and travel 29 miles through the rugged Pine Nut Mountains, climbing steeply above Eldorado Canyon and passing through the Como Mining District, and dropping down to Wellington on Nevada State Route 208.
These roads can be rough and muddy. Four-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles are recommended for the climb over the Pine Nut Mountains. Summer and fall are the best seasons to travel the byway. It takes roughly four to five hours to drive.
A detailed BLM map of this byway can be obtained by stopping off at the BLM Carson City Field Office.
