Cathedral Gorge events

2006 Program Schedule for Cathedral Gorge State Park

Cathedral Gorge State Park is 165 miles northeast of Las Vegas, via Interstate 15 North, and U.S. Highway 93. It is located partway between the towns of Caliente and Pioche, in Lincoln County. A 24-unit campground is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, open year-round. Restrooms at the campground have flush toilets and (hot) showers. The best time to visit is during April-May, or September-October, but summer days seldom exceed 102, and nights cool down into the 50’s and low 60’s. Most of these programs are on Saturdays, with programs on Sunday mornings of summer holiday weekends. Call us at 775-728-4460 or e-mail us at cathedralgorge_vc@lcturbonet.com for more information.

APRIL 1: Come discover some silly nature facts at Cathedral Gorge State Park on Saturday, April Fool’s Day! Join the Ranger for an easy walk to cover about a mile, and learn more about the plants & animals that inhabit this high desert terrain. Meet at the campground amphitheater at 10:00 a.m., and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Subject to cancellation in case of rain; call the park office at 775-728-4460 for up-to-date weather information.

APRIL 8: Join the Ranger for an adventure hike in the Gorge. Meet at the campground amphitheater (benches by the restroom) at 9:00 a.m.; bring along a canteen and a snack, and wear comfortable hiking shoes for this four-mile hike over moderate terrain in a seldom-explored area of the Gorge. Subject to cancellation in case of rain; call the park office at 775-728-4460 for up-to-date weather information.

APRIL 15: We’ll be "hopping down the bunny trail," looking for signs of spring (and that elusive rabbit). This special hike for kids will start at the campground amphitheater at 10:00 a.m. and cover no more than a mile.

APRIL 22: As we celebrate "Earth Day," two Flint-knappers from Ely will come to Cathedral Gorge State Park to demonstrate their skills in utilizing some of the rock resources of eastern Nevada. This afternoon program will show the various styles made by native Americans, and demonstrate techniques for making arrowheads. If you bring work-gloves and eye protection (safety goggles), you may try making an obsidian point yourself. Meet at the campground ampitheater at 2:00 p.m.; it will be moved to the Group area shelter in case of rain.

APRIL 29: With spring’s arrival, the migratory birds have returned. Learn more about the common birds of eastern Nevada at this informative slide program. The program begins at the campground amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. Call 775-728-4460 for more information.

MAY 6: Nevada celebrates Historic Preservation and Archaeological Awareness Week, and as part of that celebration, the featured program at Cathedral Gorge State Park is "Home Sweet Nevada." Learn some of the history of the area, through the old buildings and structures in the towns and parks. The program will start at 8:00 p.m. in the campground amphitheater.

MAY 13: The first Moonlight Hike of the season will be featured at Cathedral Gorge State Park. Join the ranger at the campground amphitheater at 8:00 p.m. Bring a flashlight, and a jacket in case it is still chilly. For more information, call the park office at 775-728-4460.

MAY 20: Flowers and stars at Cathedral Gorge: a winning combination! Members of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society are going to hold a spring stargazing session, along with the Ranger program "Wildflowers of Eastern Nevada" on Saturday, May 20. The program will start at 8:00 p.m. in the campground amphitheater. For more information, call the park office at 775-728-4460.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Several special programs are featured at Cathedral Gorge State Park this weekend: on Saturday, May 27, refreshments will be served at the Regional Visitor Center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Visitor Center. That evening, learn about the geology of this unique park and the surrounding area, in the program "Life Cycle of a Rock," starting at 8:00 p.m. in the campground amphitheater.

On Sunday morning, May 28, join the Ranger on a morning Walk to look at some of the geologic features discussed in Saturday night’s program. This easy walk will start at 8:30 a.m. from the campground amphitheater, and will cover less than a mile. Bring your camera and wear comfortable walking shoes; bring along a canteen of water.

JUNE 3: What’s the "buzz" over Geo-caching? Come find out, with members of the Nevada Geo-cachers association at this Saturday evening "workshop". If you have a GPS unit, bring it, or learn how one is used in this interactive program. The program will start at 6:30 p.m. at the campground amphitheater; wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring along a flashlight in case it is dark by the time we return from a short and easy hike.

JUNE 10: Join the Ranger on another Moonlight adventure at Cathedral Gorge State Park. This evening walk will cover about two miles, starting at 8:00 p.m. from the campground amphitheater. Bring a flashlight and wear closed toe shoes.

JUNE 17: Arrowheads! Come see how they are made, during a special early evening demonstration program. A local flint-knapper will demonstrate how he makes stone arrowheads and knives, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the group area (by the campground).

JUNE 24: Summer is a great time for stargazing, and Cathedral Gorge State Park has some of the best skies for viewing. Join the Ranger on Saturday night, at 8:00 p.m. in the campground, to learn some facts and legends about the stars, planets, and constellations. We’ll have a telescope to see some of the objects up close; bring a lawn chair to be comfortable for this session.

FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND: As summer time rolls around, you may wonder how people survived in the desert before the days of air conditioning. The Saturday night program on July 1 will offer some Summer Survival tips, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. Please remember on this holiday weekend: fireworks are not allowed in any of the State Parks.

On Sunday morning, July 2, join the Ranger for an early-birds nature walk in the Gorge. We will depart from the campground at 7:30 a.m., and return before the heat sets in; wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a water bottle.

JULY 8: Night-time is the best time for hiking in the desert; join the Ranger for another fabulous Moonlight Hike through the Gorge. This easy walk will start at 8:00 p.m. from the campground amphitheater and cover about a mile and a half. Bring a flashlight, and wear closed-toed shoes.

JULY 15: Summertime is the best time for "butterfly-watching," and this program will help you learn the difference between butterflies and moths. You will also learn how you can landscape your yard to attract more of these "Winged Jewels." The program will start at 8:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater.

JULY 22: As Utah residents celebrate "Pioneer Day" this weekend, learn some of the "Pioneer Ways" at a special program at Cathedral Gorge State Park. The program will start at 7:00 p.m., in the campground amphitheater.

JULY 29: Spiders and snakes and bugs: oh my! "Creepy Crawly Critters" are featured in the Saturday night program. The slide program will start at 8:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater; no live specimens are anticipated, but the park bug collection will be available for viewing before the program!

(Ranger on vacation – no programs for these two weeks)

AUGUST 19: Buffalo in Nevada? Yes, several centuries ago herds of bison roamed through eastern Nevada. Learn the story of the discoveries that have been made at Cathedral Gorge State Park. The program will start in the park’s campground amphitheater at 8:30 p.m.

AUGUST 26: As summer comes to a close, learn more about the "First Campers," the groups of native Americans who lived in eastern Nevada for several thousand years before Panaca was settled. The program will start at the campground amphitheater, at 8:00 p.m.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND: In 1849, a group of California-bound gold-seekers left their wagon train on the Old Spanish Trail and struggled across the uncharted deserts of southern Nevada. Little did they know that they were passing up some of the richest silver and gold deposits in Nevada! Come learn their story at the Saturday night program Sept. 2 at Cathedral Gorge State Park, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater. The program will end in time for folks to head to Pioche for the "Electric Light Parade" and street dance.

Join Ranger Barb on Sunday morning, Sept. 3, for a walk to discover how the unique formations of Cathedral Gorge were formed. Meet at the campground amphitheater (benches by the restroom) at 8:30 a.m.; bring along a canteen of water and wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots.

SEPTEMBER 9: Hot, Hot, Hot!! The Second Annual Dutch-Oven Cookoff will be held at Cathedral Gorge State Park on Saturday, September 9. Chefs are invited to come prepare their best recipe for participants to judge, in the categories of Main Dish/Meat, Breads, Dessert, and Vegetable/Side Dish. Prizes will be awarded in all categories. Cooks may start preparing at 4:00 in the afternoon, and the program will start for the public at 5:30 p.m. at the Group Area (by the campground). Call the park office at 775-728-4460 for entry forms or for more information.

SEPTEMBER 16: "Varmints!" How often have you heard that term, and what do you really know about these animals? This new program will feature the facts about coyotes, fox, bobcat and mountain lions. The program will start at 7:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater.

SEPTEMBER 23: The astronomers are coming, for the 20th year! Members of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society will be at Cathedral Gorge State Park on Saturday night for their 20h annual "star party." They will have their high-powered telescopes and enthusiastic members available to show you the sights beyond our view, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater. That morning, Ranger Barb will lead an easy nature walk, starting at 10:00 a.m. from the campground amphitheater.

SEPTEMBER 30: Are you "nuts about pines"? Some people cannot wait for this time of year to roll around, when they can go out and gather pine-nuts! Learn more about the pine trees that make these delicious nuts at the Saturday night program. The program will start at 7:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater (or the Visitor Center auditorium in case of rain).

OCTOBER 7: Join the Ranger for the last Moonlight Hike of the season at Cathedral Gorge State Park. The walk will start from the campground amphitheater at 7:00 p.m. Bring a flashlight and a jacket in case it turns chilly along the way; subject to cancellation in case of rain. Call the park office at 775-728-4460 by 4:30 that afternoon for more information.

OCTOBER 14: Buck fever starts in earnest today, with the start of the general Deer hunt; but what do we actually know about these large mammals, beyond "Bambi"? The Saturday night program, "Deer Me," will give you an interesting look at the secret life of deer, elk and antelope. This program will start at 7:00 p.m. in the campground amphitheater (or Regional Visitor Center auditorium in case of rain or cold).

OCTOBER 21: How well do you know the state of Nevada? This Saturday night program will test your knowledge, and reveal some little-known facts about the Silver State. A special prize will be awarded to the person who answers the most questions correctly! This new program will start at 6:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater (or Regional Visitor Center auditorium in case of rain or cold).

OCTOBER 28: Halloween makes many people think of Bats, and the Saturday night program will perhaps change your mind on how you feel about these flying mammals. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the campground amphitheater, or Regional Visitor Center in case of rain or cold weather. (No live specimens are anticipated; the bats are going into hibernation for the winter!)

Pioche, Nevada Chamber of Commerce

2006 Program Schedule for Cathedral Gorge State Park

Pioche, Nevada
Chamber of Commerce