Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada.
In 1859, Captain J.H. Simpson explored the valley as an alternative route to the west coast. His account provides a first-hand glimpse of the area at that time. Simpson notes: “Large numbers of Sho-sho-nees winter in Ruby Valley, on account of its being warmer than the other valleys around. One of the mail party represents that as many as 1500 must have staid here last winter. At present time they are scattered, for purposes of hunting.”
Historic markers identify the Hastings Cutoff Trail, which passes through the refuge and continues west by way of Overland Pass; the same route followed by the ill-fated Donner Party.
Ruby Valley was an important stop on the East-West Pony Express route. The log building that served as the Pony Express Station now stands at the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko, Nevada. Ruby Valley was also the home station for the Overland Mail Route and from 1862 to 1869 housed the Fort Ruby military post, constructed to protect the Overland Mail route from Paiute Indian raiders.
In 1880, Pennsylvanian Jacob Bressman, his daughter Deby, and Deby's husband, Lew Benson, sold their freight hauling business in nearby Eureka County. They bought cattle, built a cabin, and settled in Ruby Valley. Their cabin and Jacob's grave site, located on the refuge 1.5 miles north of headquarters, have been preserved and stand as a tribute to these early pioneers.
Relict Dace, the only native species of fish at Ruby Lake, has reduced and hybridized populations due to introduction of several non-native species. A project is underway to preserve the biological integrity of the Relict Dace.
Visitors must travel 13 to 30 miles of gravel road to reach the Refuge from any direction. Harrison Pass, a steep, rough, and winding road, is not passable in winter and is never recommended for large trailers or motor homes. Routes from Highway 50 can be very muddy to impassable in wet weather or during snow-melt. Drifting snow can make travel on any route impossible except for the largest of 4WD vehicles. Visitors should check with Refuge headquarters about road conditions, especially November through May.
Directions from Elko via Harrison Pass: Fifth Street in Elko turns into State Route 227/Lamoille Highway as you head south. Alternatively State Route 227 may be reached from 12th Street. Travel 7 miles southeast on State Route 227 to the intersection with State Route 228 in Spring Creek. Turn right and take Route 228 thirty-nine miles south until it turns into a dirt road leading to Harrison Pass. Continue 4.2 miles over Harrison Pass until the road dead ends at a T-intersection with Ruby Valley Road*. Turn right and take the well-maintained dirt and gravel road south approximately 8 miles to the Refuge headquarters. The 4.2 miles over Harrison Pass is not maintained in winter and may be impassable anytime between October and May.
Directions from Elko via Secret Pass: Travel 17 miles east of Elko on Interstate 80 to exit 321 and turn right on State Route 767/State Route 229 (Ruby Valley Road*) toward Halleck/Ruby Valley. Follow Ruby Valley Road for 37 miles south until it turns into a well-maintained dirt and gravel road. Continue 30 miles south to the Refuge headquarters.
Directions from Ely: Travel west on U.S. 50 for 29 miles. Take Ruby Valley Road*/County Route 3 north 50 miles to the south end of the refuge. From U.S. 50 the road is mostly unpaved dirt and tends to be rutted, potholed and rocky. All-wheel drive is not generally needed in dry, summer weather, but even with all-wheel drive it is not recommended in wet, snowy or snowmelt weather as it will be very muddy and possibly impassable.
Directions from Ely via Hwy 93: Travel north on Hwy 93 about 110 miles. Turn left on State Route 229 and follow it for 14 miles to the intersection with State Route 767/Ruby Valley Road*. Turn left. In two miles the pavement ends, but continue on the well-maintained dirt and gravel road 30 miles south to the refuge headquarters. This route is longer than via U.S. 50, but follows paved or well-maintained dirt and gravel roads all the way to the Refuge and is, therefore, a much better choice in inclement weather.
Directions from Eureka: Travel east on U.S. 50 for 16 miles. Take Strawberry Road (State Route 892) north 42 miles to Overland Pass/County Route 6. Turn right and follow the road about 15 miles until it dead ends at Ruby Valley Road*/County Route 3. Turn left and head north for about a mile to the south end of the Refuge. This route can be very muddy and possibly impassable in wet weather.
Directions from Wells: Travel South on Hwy 93 for 27 miles. Turn right on State Route 229 and follow it for 14 miles to the intersection with State Route 767/Ruby Valley Road*. Turn left. In two miles the pavement ends, but continue on the well-maintained dirt and gravel road 30 miles south to the Refuge headquarters.
*Note - The main road that passes north and south through the refuge is listed on various maps as State Route 767, County Route 3 (White Pine County), County Route 788 (Elko County) and Ruby Valley Road. For consistency we refer to the entire section from I-80 to U.S. 50 as Ruby Valley Road.
Ruby Valley Road is not a usable designation for GPS navigation. Some navigation software will recognize "Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, NV." Others may require that you put in Ruby Valley, NV and then keep heading south from there.