Black Rock Desert
About two hours northeast of Reno, this area should be high on your list.
Look on your map and pick one of two routes past Pyramid Lake (another must-see), and head north toward Gerlach.
The Black Rock is a large playa on which folks drive in summer and fall. Gas up in Gerlach, eat Raviollis at Bruno's (try not to look like an environmentalist), and head north again until a cairn to the right marks the first entrance to the playa.Talk to someone who's been before going the first time. Do not drive on the playa if it is at all wet/damp. Summer and fall are the best times. There's added attractions like Double Hot Springs and Planet X pottery nearby.
High Rock Canyon and other off-playa areas, and the Calico mountains at sunset are stunning.
Senator Bryan recently got the area declared a National Conservation area and it's surrounded by many Wilderness Study Areas. Also, the historic Applegate-Lassen pioneer trail runs across the north end.