Hikers, anglers and birdwatchers will soon be able to cast lines and boot up where 1940s eastern socialites once waited out their six-week residency requirements at one of Nevada’s “divorce ranches.”
The newly protected 1,627-acre Lower Carson Ranch on the eastern edge of Dayton is transitioning to state park land, opening 4.5 miles of the Carson River for public recreation, including water access, fishing and hiking. The transfer from Western Rivers Conservancy creates new recreational green space for hiking and exploring along the lower Carson River.
Portions of the land were part of the California and Pony Express National Historic Trails in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During the 1940s, part of the property operated as “Break-A-Heart Ranch,” a divorce ranch owned by Richard Conklin. Because Nevada’s lenient divorce laws required a person to physically live in Nevada for only 42 days, residents of other states often stayed in boarding houses in Reno or Las Vegas, or on “divorce ranches” that mostly catered to wealthy women from the East Coast.
Dorothy and Joseph Chaves purchased the upper portion of the Break-A-Heart property in 1961 and operated it as a cattle ranch. They sold the eastern portion of the property in 1972 and kept the western portion, which includes what is now the park, until 1999.
Nevada State Parks worked with Western Rivers Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, to acquire the property. Funding was made possible through a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, a Conserve Nevada grant awarded to the Nevada State Parks Foundation and a donation from the former landowner.
The land will be used to create a new state park and open the riverfront to the public while conserving important riparian habitat for fish and wildlife.
The new park is not yet open to public access. Fort Churchill Road, which passes through the property, is open to the public as a county road. Before opening, Nevada State Parks will complete a master plan for the park and develop amenities, which may include trailheads, trails, restrooms and picnic areas.
The planning process will include opportunities for public input on access points, amenities and the long-term management of the park.
The public is being invited to help name the park through an online survey at parks.nv.gov. The naming process is open to all members of the public, and Nevada State Parks encourages participation from individuals, families, community organizations and visitors who have a connection to Nevada's public lands.
“This new State Park is an investment in Nevada’s future and a commitment to preserving the natural beauty that makes our state unique,” Gov. Joe Lombardo said. “By protecting this remarkable landscape and expanding public access, we are ensuring that future generations of Nevadans and visitors alike can experience, explore and appreciate this special place for years to come.”
The Carson River originates in the Sierra Nevada south of Lake Tahoe and flows 236 miles across the Great Basin before reaching the Carson Desert.
Lower Carson Ranch includes extensive riparian habitat, green pastures and upland sagebrush steppe. It is a ribbon of green in an otherwise arid landscape and an oasis for a rich assemblage of fish and wildlife. Fish species in this stretch of the river can include largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as channel and bullhead catfish, mountain whitefish, Lahontan redside shiner and Tahoe sucker. Other wildlife includes mule deer, waterfowl, bobcat, mountain lion, wild turkey and neotropical songbirds. The property lies approximately six miles upstream from the Carson River Delta Important Bird Area.
“Opening a new state park will provide access to water and green space for people in Reno, Carson City and Dayton, and outdoor classroom opportunities for a neighboring elementary school,” said Susanna Danner, a project manager for Western Rivers Conservancy.
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