State government:
An aerial presumption captures a sweeping crook on the 4.5-mile agelong of the Carson River, which serves arsenic the centerpiece for Nevada’s newest authorities park. Photo by: Nevada State Parks
By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)
Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 2 a.m.
From Pony Express routes to a 1940s divorcement ranch, a 4.5-mile agelong of the Carson River steeped successful Nevada past is present the state’s newest park, Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Wednesday.
The 1,627-acre park, which spans some the northbound and southbound sides of the Carson River and extends into the surrounding sagebrush hills, is conscionable extracurricular Dayton successful Lyon County adjacent Fort Churchill State Historic Park.
Nevada State Parks is asking the nationalist to assistance sanction the park: People tin taxable unlimited suggestions done an online survey aft reviewing an interactive representation and guide, with entries accepted done July 15.
An aerial presumption reveals the expansive stream vale and rugged Nevada terrain that encompasses the caller authorities park, a historical scenery featuring portions of the California and Pony Express trails Photo by: Nevada State Parks
“This caller authorities parkland is an concern successful Nevada’s aboriginal and a committedness to preserving the earthy quality that makes our authorities unique,” Lombardo said. “By protecting this singular scenery and expanding nationalist access, we are ensuring that aboriginal generations of Nevadans and visitors alike tin experience, research and admit this peculiar spot for years to come.”
The park’s past runs deep: In the mid-1800s, some the California Trail and the Pony Express Trail passed done the Carson River corridor, portion of a westward migration way that besides drew the attraction of explorer John C. Fremont, whose 1844 expedition followed the stream done the canyon. Historic structures and taste resources from the precocious 1800s and aboriginal 1900s inactive stay connected the property.
In the aboriginal 1940s, the spot became known arsenic Break-A-Heart Ranch nether proprietor Richard Conklin, and section lore says it besides operated arsenic a divorcement ranch — a uniquely Nevada concern that catered to women seeking the state’s famously lenient divorcement laws, which necessitate lone a six-week residency. The ranch sanction inactive appears successful factual walkways and different features astatine the erstwhile headquarters, underscoring however overmuch of that epoch inactive lingers connected the site.
An angler fishes successful the Carson River, showcasing the outdoor recreation and wildlife situation being preserved astatine the caller authorities parkland property. Photo by: Nevada State Parks
Nevada State Parks acquired the spot done a concern with Western Rivers Conservancy, with backing from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Conserve Nevada Program and a donation from the erstwhile landowner.
“We are honored to enactment with Nevada State Parks and consciousness grateful to beryllium a portion of creating caller entree to the Carson River for the radical of Nevada,” said Nelson Mathews, president of Western Rivers Conservancy. “Projects similar this show that expanding outdoor recreation and conserving food and wildlife situation tin spell manus successful hand.”
Nevada State Parks said the nationalist volition beryllium capable to ballot connected finalists for the caller park's sanction Aug. 1-14, and it plans to denote the park’s authoritative sanction successful the autumn during a a designation ceremony.
The parks bureau notes the caller authorities parkland is not yet unfastened to nationalist entree and that anterior to a afloat opening, the bureau volition implicit a maestro program for the parkland and make indispensable amenities, which whitethorn see trailheads, trails, restrooms and picnic areas.
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