Thanks to its low elevation and mild winters, this is a great spot to keep the conditioning up during the cooler months. Local endurance riders have affectionately named the hills just north of Fort Churchill in Silver Springs, the Gym. This area is, admittedly, not the prettiest country that Nevada has to offer. But what the Gym lacks in landscape, it makes up for with vast views and a killer workout.
The Gym is an unmarked network of trails and roads that crisscross and wind through the hills of Churchill Butte. Some of the routes are sandy, some of them are rocky – but all of them include a lot of hillwork, hence the name. There are enough routes here to make loops of various distances.
The elevation is generally between 4,400 feet and 5,000 feet. This area sees very little snow which makes it an easily accessible location in the winter. Temps can soar in the summer though and there is no water out here so best to avoid it during the hottest months.
The Gym isn’t exactly a scenic ride; it’s mostly a sparse landscape of scrub brush. But as you climb up and down the hills, you will get lovely long-distance views of Silver Springs, the tree-lined Carson River, and the bigger mountain ranges to the south and west. There are some old mines out in the hills, but not much else.
Other than a jackrabbit or the occasional snake (when it is warm), there isn’t much wildlife in these hills. Dirt bike riders use these trails as well, but because of the open spaces, it’s usually pretty easy to keep an eye on them.
Getting Here
Parking Option 1:
Where Fort Churchill Road turns from pavement to a gravel road, there is a large turnout area that can fit several rigs. From here you follow a dirt road straight back into the hills. There is also a gate in the fence line to the south to ride around the State Park area – though horses are not allowed by the ruins themselves.
Parking Options 2 & 3:
Just after turning off Highway 95 and crossing the cattle guard, there is a small turnoff to the right. This spot can fit a couple of rigs. Alternatively, you can also follow the dirt road .5 miles to a bigger spot, if you want to start out a little closer to the hills.
