Sparks - Pyramid Highway
Box store heaven and an alternate route to Black Rock City.
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G Albertsons
9750 Pyramid Lake Hwy - 775-425-2700
directions
Cooperating in the 2007 Drive-Thru Recycling Initiative. Read more here
Home Depot
4655 Galleria Pkwy - 775-354-2245
Ah, so you've decided to take the scenic route, eh? That's cool. You won't miss out on any of the goodies by traveling Pyramid Highway. And by the way, it's not really a highway — at least we don't think so. We just call it that to throw you off. If you are planning to camp at Pyramid Lake, be sure to get a permit. A very beautiful route to take!
Exit I-80 at Pyramid Highway and turn left . The first thing to note is John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino. There you can find lots of restaurants, with both fine and casual dining. Their hotel rooms and indoor swimming pool make a nice overnighter after a week on the Playa — if you can get a room. The week of Labor Day is otherwise a very busy time for the Nugget, as the yearly rib cook off brings thousands of folks from across the country. Be sure to reserve months ahead if you want to get a room here. Check out the website: http://www.janugget.com/. Or call 800.648.1177 to book your stay.
Heading north, up the Pyramid Hwy you'll see 7-11, AT&T store and In-N-Out Burger. Holy crap! It's true. Reno has one. Carson City has one. And not to be left out, Sparks has one.
Travel a mile or so up Pyramid to the corner of Greenbrae. There you'll find a couple of small shopping centers. The east side of pyramid has a Big-O Tire, Thrift store, Ace Hardware and gas.
But most notably around here, on the west side of Pyramid Way is Prism Magic, owned and operated by burners for burners. Stop by & get your last minute costume & clothing additions on your way to the playa. Tie-dye in all sizes, petticoats, lounge-wear,faux-fur, playa robes, shoes, incense, hats.... lots and lots of crazy CRAZY things. Custom sewing, costuming, and tie-dye also available with enough advanced notice. Prism Magic is also teaming up with Black Rock Bicycles again, and carrying bike baskets filled with everything you need for your bike to be "playa" ready: front and tail light, lock and ding bell. Stop by & say HI!
In the same shopping center as Prism Magic you'll find a Scolari's market, Yellowsub Sub shop, a nice size Laundromat, and "No Boys Allowed" tattoo (ask about the special for burners).
Up Pyramid another couple of blocks is North McCarran Avenue. On the left is a Raleys supermarket and a Winners Corner gas station heading up a small shopping center. You'll notice a number of shopping spots that might pique your interest: Car wash, Auto Zone, Banks, a pizza parlor called Black Rock Pizza, and lots of fast food.
There are more lots more shopping highlights as you continue north, a few miles beyond McCarran Blvd. This area (known as North Valleys) is growing big-time, and developers are building as fast as they can to meet demand with big box shopping in this corner of the world. You will first find on your right, Sports Authority, Office Depot, Longs, T-Mobile, Home Depot, Costco w/ gas, Michaels craft store, Best Buy, Sprint Store and a plethora of shops and food.
As you make your way a few more miles up Pyramid, there are a couple of parks you can stop and stretch your legs. Then the last sign of civilization is at La Posada Drive. Save Mart on your right will be prepared for us with lots of burner goods (especially bulk water, water barrels, el-wire kits, goggles, sushi, etc), as well as a drive-thru recycling center -- same as all the other Save Marts in town. Parking can be challenging. There are a few gas station and fast food options in this area, too.
Also near this intersection is Klunker’s ice cream shop. You can call ahead & order donuts, sandwiches, sodas and ice cream before you hit the playa or they’ll have it ready for you on your way back to civilization.
That's it folks. If you don't have what you need at this point, you probably do not need it!
To get to the playa from here, keep heading northish on Pyramid Way until you meet Pyramid Lake. Beatiful...! Follow the sign (right) for the road to Nixon, and once at Nixon, turn left, and then you are on the way to Black Rock City. All the regular warnings about bunnies and cows still apply; please drive safely!
G Save Mart (formerly Albertsons)
9750 Pyramid Lake Hwy - 775-425-2700 - map
Lots and lots and lots of goodies for the playa — especially bulk water, Cool Neon el-wire kits, water barrels, sushi, goggles, etc!
And, like most Save Marts in town, they will also be operating a Drive-Thru Recycling Center for this year's event! A free, multi-community project to promote recycling, this multi-year initiative is designed for your convenience, with no strings attached - just please have your recyclables clean as possible. Bicycles, plastics (HDPE 1,2,3,4&5), plastic bags, glass, all metals (aluminum, tin, lead, steel, etc), paper, cardboard, and household batteries are all welcome. Moreover, garbage dumping will be available to recyclers at the rate of $3 per 35-gallon standard trash bag. All proceeds raised from this recycling initiative will be donated to support local environmental initiatives and charitable causes. Both the store and recycling center will be open 24/7 throughout the event until September 9. No worries, they are set up for maximum capacity!
Raleys Supermarket
2895 N McCarran Blvd - 775-353-8818 - map
Wal-Mart Super Center
5065 Pyramid Lake Road - 775-425-9300 - map
Costco Wholesale
4810 Galleria Pkwy - Opening late 2006 - map
Miller Water
2990 Sullivan Lane – 775-358-1900 - map
Open 9am until 7pm Sunday thru Friday, closed on Saturdays. Call ahead for possible after-hours appointments.
The Miller Family provides steam-distilled water, bulk water, and demineralized ice that lasts up to 5 times longer than regular ice! You can also find a variety of water containers, including 5 gallon polycarbonate water containers and 30 to 300 gallon emergency water bags, as well as PureWater distillation systems, pumps, and a good ol’ hose with all the tap water you want to fill your RV. Call ahead to inquire about longer hours of operation. Outside vending machines are available 24/7 for your convenience.
Bank of America
5005 Pyramid Lake Hwy - 775-425-1500 - map
Home Depot
4655 Galleria Pkwy - 775-354-2245 - map
Prism Magic Clothing & Imports
2161 Pyramid Way - 75-356-5577 - map
Yup! On the way to the big ole Burn on Pyramid Way. Owned and operated by burners for burners, they specialize in tie-dye but have all sorts of fun 'Playa Wear'. Petticoats, animal bikes, costumes, sarongs, hats, vintage clothing and other unique items. Black Rock Bicycles are also available.
Stop on by & have some fun. XOXO. Lauren, Steve, Sabra & Crew
Ben Franklin Crafts
530 Greenbrae Dr. 775-331-5755 - map
Hancock Fabrics
534 Greenbrae Dr. 775-331-6999 - map
Black Rock Bicycles
7550 Hillview Dr - 775- 972-3336 - map
The only bike outfit in town primarily catered to burners. To rent a bike, please visit the website. Prism Magic is carrying quality new cruisers at bottom pricesfrom Black Rock Bicycles, together with all the accesories.
John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort
1100 Nugget Avenue - 775-356-3300 / 800-648-1177 - map
John Ascuaga's Nugget is burner-friendly and conveniently located just off I-80 in Sparks.
G Save Mart
9750 Pyramid Lake Hwy - 775-425-2700 - map
Cooperating in the 2009 Drive-Thru Recycling Initiative.
Need more info?
Try: Reno News and Review, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Magazine, National Traffic and Road Closure Information, PlayReno, NevadaNet, goTahoe.com, tahoe.com. 
