An incomparable desert sanctuary of approximately 615 acres in Northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert—the iconic location of the globally renowned Burning Man festival which draws more than 70,000 participants from around the world each summer—is set to sell at auction via Concierge Auctions in cooperation with Carl Digennaro of Key Realty Las Vegas. Bidding is scheduled to open on 1 April and will culminate 15 April via the firm's online marketplace, conciergeauctions.com.
Offered as a package or individually, the three land parcels represent one of the most significant private land offerings to surface in the storied region of Gerlach, Nevada, in recent years. The first parcel, Camp David, spans 144 acres atop one of Nevada’s most geothermally active regions; the 70-acre Sandy J parcel is anchored by two naturally occurring hot springs; and Fred’s Field spans nearly 400 acres within a private valley bordering the Black Rock Desert Conservation Area.
The offering is most notably one of the last privately owned parcels near the land upon which Black Rock City establishes the Burning Man festival, an annual nine-day, large-scale, interactive desert event and cultural movement. Together, the properties represent an uncommonly rare concentration of geothermal hot springs, fresh flowing spring water, and significant deeded water rights within one of the American West’s most culturally and geologically significant landscapes.
“We are proud to present this remarkable Northern Nevada offering to our global audience,” said Chad Roffers, CEO and Co-Founder of Concierge Auctions. “Properties of this scale and distinction align seamlessly with our auction platform. By leveraging our international reach and innovative marketing and outreach, we look forward to sharing this incredible opportunity with qualified buyers who recognize its long-term potential.”
“This is one of the most compelling land offerings to emerge in Northern Nevada in decades,” said Digennaro. “With its geothermal features and significant water rights, along with its rich history and proximity to Burning Man, it offers extraordinary scale and flexibility. We’re proud to partner with Concierge Auctions to present it to a global audience and secure the right buyer.”
“These properties represent years of careful stewardship and deep respect for the land,” said the seller David Hardy Jamieson. “Each parcel has its own character and significance, and I look forward to seeing the next owner shape a vision that honors both the landscape and its remarkable potential.”
Camp David encompasses dozens of natural thermal pools, including the renowned Great Boiling Spring. The property holds 201 acre-feet of water and is home to Thermocrinis jamiesonii, a thermophilic microorganism found nowhere else on Earth and the subject of international scientific study, including NASA-affiliated research. Existing structures include a primary dwelling, shop and storage facilities, a maintenance outbuilding, and dedicated power storage.
Located just one mile from the center of Gerlach, Sandy J flows into a tranquil on-site pond. The property carries 144.79 acre-feet of deeded water rights, with the additional utility of city water running beneath the parcel. Year-round streams and sweeping mountain vistas define the high desert setting at the edge of the Black Rock Desert Conservation Area. Positioned approximately 15 miles from Black Rock City and near some of the darkest night skies in the American West, the site presents a distinctive opportunity for thoughtful development within a landscape of remarkable character and scale.
Framed by panoramic views of the Buffalo, Selenite, and Granite Peak mountain ranges, Fred’s Field is distinguished by 447 acre-feet of fresh flowing spring water that animates the landscape year-round. Its dramatic natural amphitheater setting offers both privacy and scale, while nearby Squaw Creek Reservoir provides convenient access to fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Near nationally recognized dark-sky conditions and terrain suited for hiking, mountain biking, photography, and outdoor recreation, the site presents a rare opportunity to establish a legacy holding within one of the American West’s most compelling landscapes.
Together, the properties create a 611-acre Northern Nevada holding of exceptional rarity—offering not only scale, geothermal resources, and substantial deeded water rights, but meaningful control and flexibility in one of the American West’s most geologically and culturally significant landscapes. Whether envisioned as a singular generational acquisition or three distinct holdings, the offering combines scientific significance, water resources, and direct connection to the Black Rock Desert and Burning Man.
Perched at the edge of the legendary Black Rock Desert, Gerlach is one of Nevada's most singular destinations—a proudly independent outpost where rugged Western character meets an unexpectedly vibrant creative culture. The surrounding Black Rock Desert Conservation Area encompasses over 800,000 acres of wilderness, offering unrivaled terrain for hiking, mountain biking, land sailing, high-powered rocketry, and off-road exploration. Reno and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport lie approximately two hours south.