Cave Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cave Lake State Park |
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Cave Lake from the Overlook Trail
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 Cave Lake State Park
Location in Nevada
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| Location | White Pine County, Nevada, United States |
| Nearest city | Ely, Nevada |
| Area | 4,081.40 acres (16.5168 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,198 ft (2,194 m) |
| Designation | Nevada state park |
| Established | 1973 |
| Administrator | Nevada Division of State Parks |
| Website | Cave Lake State Park |
Cave Lake State Park is an amazing outdoor area in White Pine County, Nevada. It covers over 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of land. You can find it in the Schell Creek Range, right next to the Humboldt National Forest.
This awesome park is about five miles (8.0 km) southeast of Ely, Nevada. It sits high up at an elevation of 7,300 feet (2,200 m). The main attraction is a 32-acre (13 ha) lake. It's perfect for fishing and boating without big waves.
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How Cave Lake State Park Began
The lake you see today was created by the Cave Creek Dam. This dam was built way back in 1932. It helped form the beautiful Cave Lake.
In 1971, the Nevada Department of Wildlife bought the area. Just two years later, in 1973, it became a state park. This meant it was protected and open for everyone to enjoy. The park grew even bigger in 2015. More land was added from the U.S. Forest Service, making it a huge 2,980 acres (1,210 ha) larger!
Fun Things to Do at Cave Lake
Cave Lake State Park offers tons of activities all year round. It's a great place for families and friends to have an adventure.
Water Fun and Fishing
The lake is a popular spot for fishing. You can try to catch brown and rainbow trout. Many people also enjoy crawdadding, which is like catching small freshwater lobsters.
If you have a boat, you can take it out on the lake. It's a calm lake, perfect for relaxing on the water.
Camping and Picnics
The park has great places to stay overnight. You can camp in one of the two campgrounds: Elk Flat or Lake View. They have modern facilities to make your stay comfortable.
For a unique experience, you can even stay in a yurt. Yurts are round, tent-like structures that are super cozy. If you're just visiting for the day, there are also picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal outdoors.
Hiking Trails
If you love to explore on foot, Cave Lake has four developed hiking trails. These trails are between three and five miles long. They offer great views of the park and the surrounding nature.
Winter Wonderland Activities
When winter arrives, Cave Lake State Park transforms into a snowy playground.
- Ice Fishing: You can drill a hole in the ice and try to catch fish.
- Ice Skating: Glide across the frozen lake.
- Cross-Country Skiing: Explore the snowy trails on skis.
- Snowmobiling: Zoom through the park on a snowmobile.
Exciting Annual Events
Cave Lake State Park hosts some really cool events each year. These events bring lots of fun and excitement to the park.
Fire and Ice Festival
Every January, if there's enough ice and snow, Ely holds its annual Fire and Ice Festival at the park. This event started in 2005. It features an amazing ice and snow sculpture contest. Artists create incredible designs out of ice and snow. The festival ends with a spectacular fireworks show over the lake.
Bathtub Races
Since 2010, the lake has also hosted bathtub races! Yes, you read that right – people race in bathtubs on the water. Both the Fire and Ice Festival and the bathtub races have been named among the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association. They are definitely worth seeing!
