Lovelock Cave

Lovelock Cave is a prehistoric cave in the West Humboldt Mountains of Nevada, extending about 150 feet (45 meters) into the limestone and featuring several chambers with natural rock formations. The site was inhabited by people over thousands of years and preserves an exceptional collection of organic finds conserved by the dry desert climate.

People began using the cave around 2580 BCE and remained until about 1000 BCE, when changing conditions and the retreat of the lake altered the way of life. Archaeologists recovered thousands of objects starting in 1911, showing the daily routines and skills of these early inhabitants.

The site takes its name from a nearby ranch and sits in an area that served as a gathering point for indigenous communities for centuries. Visitors today can sense the connection between this location and the Paiute stories about people who settled along the shores of the ancient lake.

Access is through a path from Churchill County Road 399, where signs explain the archaeological importance of the site. Spring or autumn are the best times to visit, when desert temperatures are more comfortable.

Excavations uncovered woven duck decoys dated to around 2000 years ago, among the oldest preserved hunting tools for waterfowl. These crafted replicas made from reeds and feathers demonstrate the sophistication of hunting techniques at the time.