At approximately 38,000 acres in size, Walker Lake is a stunning sight in Mineral County, Nevada. Driving along Highway 95, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the lake’s vibrant blue waters as you drive along its western shore. As one of the region’s most prominent natural features, the lake offers all types of recreational opportunities from swimming and boating to picnicking and bird-watching. However, you might not want to plan your visit during the summer season, as this is when the lake annually experiences a massive infestation of spiders – unless, of course, you don’t mind the sight of these eight-legged critters!
Driving down Highway 95, Walker Lake is a majestic sight amid the arid desert scenery. From the lake's blue waters to the mountaintops that tower over its shores, it's certainly a sight to be seen!
Visiting Walker Lake is a treat for outdoor enthusiasts. Sportsman's Beach consists of 31 campsites, two undeveloped camping areas, picnic tables, grills, and a public boat ramp. Whatever type of adventure you prefer, Walker Lake won't disappoint.
However, you may want to time your visit for any time that's not in the summer...unless you don't mind spiders! Every summer, thousands upon thousands of spiders are known to infest the lake's shores, making for a bizarre and creepy sight.
The creatures are orb-weaving spiders and they are known to come out of hiding every summer. They make their presence known by spinning webs all over plants, picnic tables, and basically anything they can get their sticky legs on.
The good news is that these spiders do not pose a threat to anything but other insects.
Researchers aren't certain why the spider population explodes every year, but it may have something to do with the abundance of food and the lack of competition. The lake's water level has dropped significantly over the years, which means it doesn't attract as many predators in the form of birds.
The abundance of spiders can also tie back to mild winters. The more spiders that survive the winter, the more spiders you'll see in the summer. And lastly, the lack of fish to consume larvae means that there is plenty of food for spiders in the form of flies around the lake.
Those with a phobia of arachnids may want to keep their distance from Walker Lake in the summer. And if you do visit the lake, be sure to watch where you step or sit!
Check out all of the Walker Lake spiders in this video from Paul Jones on a previous trip to Nevada:
Walker Lake is such a beautiful area and definitely worth a visit. However, you may need to share your beach day with a few (thousand) hungry spiders. But don't worry, they are more interested in munching mosquitos than people, so you are (probably) safe from being carried away for a midnight snack. Have you been to Walker Lake during the summertime and witnessed the annual spider infestation? Let us know what you think about this Walker Lake secret in the comments!
Learn about another beautiful Nevada lake with an interesting story in this article about Pyramid Lake.
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