Beaver Dam State Park

Beaver Dam State Park is a harder-to-reach park in a sparsely-populated corner of the state of Nevada, which ensures that the park's various recreational opportunities generally remain free of crowds throughout the year. 

The park has a variety of recreational opportunities, including two developed campgrounds and one primitive camp, several hiking trails of varying distances and difficulty levels, fishing in a creek stocked with rainbow trout, picnicking in the park's day-use area, and wildlife viewing opportunities in a designated Watchable Wildlife Area where mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, fox, porcupines, turkeys, bullfrogs and blue heron make their homes.

A self-pay station greets visitors entering the park, where the road forks to either of two developed campgrounds. A day-use area and the nearest river access are through Campground A, though driving up a rough and rutted dirt road past Campground B leads to river access points and hiking trails that few other visitors reach. 

Beaver Dam Wash Trail parallels the river past each of its access points. The Interpretive Trail [add hyperlink] climbs to views overlooking the pinyon and juniper-filled slopes. The Waterfall Trail gradually climbs up a canyon to a 28-foot waterfall and ends at a series of Civilian Conservation Corps-built pools where warm spring water flows into the cool creek.

The park itself has a rugged feel, with no power or telephones available anywhere in the park, water service only between April and November, rough dirt roads where trailers are not recommended, and outhouses servicing the park. A Nevada fishing license with trout stamp is required for all fishers over 12 years old, and it must be acquired prior to entering the park as licenses are not available inside inside the park. A horseshoe pit and reservable group area for up to 60 are available inside Campground B. Park entrance fee is $5 daily and is payable at the self-pay station at the park's entrance. $15 nightly camp fees are also payable here.

The road into Beaver Dam State Park requires a 28 mile drive down a dirt road. While this road is generally passable to passenger vehicles and short trailers given good recent conditions, it requires a slow and careful drive.

Addional park information can be found at their website, or by calling 775.728.4460.