The drop-off and primary long-term public (visitor) parking areas would be separate (Figure 2.10, “Parking and Site Entry Plaza Area”). Parking areas would not disturb any historic features and would allow front door access into the ranch complex. Landscape islands would be utilized to help visually reduce the size of the parking lots. The separate paved drop-off area, sized to accommodate large vehicles and equipped with ADA and standard stalls, would lead immediately to an entry plaza and gathering space that serve as the primary pedestrian entry point into the site. The separation of these two areas would allow ranch managers to close the main lot during nonbusiness hours, but would still allow visitors access to the entry plaza for self-guided interpretation and the interpretive trail on the east side of Walking Box Ranch Road.
Overnight and long-term guest parking would be provided separate from the public parking areas. The road to the existing pumphouse would continue to be used for service access. The guest parking area would be located south of the historic core, central to the new research facility, permanent residences, new bunkhouse, and group and recreational vehicle (RV) camping areas. This parking area would be accessed from a new road oriented east-west between the Walking Box Ranch Road, across the southwestern corner of the site, and the camping area.
Event/overflow parking would be provided in the rectangular-shaped corral immediately west of the proposed pumphouse (southernmost corral). For large events, remote/off-site parking would be provided in the community of Searchlight with shuttles to and from the ranch. Portable restroom and local sanitation services would be used for these events.
Table 2.2, “Parking Capacity for All Action Alternatives” indicates parking capacity by type (e.g., overnight, public, drop-off, event, etc.).
Table 2.2. Parking Capacity for All Action Alternatives
| Parking Area Types | Small Vehicle Parking Spaces | Large Vehicle Parking Spaces |
| Public (main parking) | 37 | 4 |
| Drop-Off / Off Hours | 8 | 0 |
| Overnight (Academic and Camping) | 10 | 3 |
| Event | 80 | 0 |
| Total | 135 | 7 |
If the group camping area were to be located in the northeast corner of the ranch and an addition to the existing bunkhouse were constructed, a variant of this project element would be to locate the primary overnight and long-term guest parking area central to these facilities.
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Figure 2.10. Parking and Site Entry Plaza Area