Desert Creek Campground

Closed — Closed for winter. Typically opens late May and closes early October, weather and snow conditions permitting.

About

Desert Creek Campground is a remote, no-fee camping area located along Desert Creek in Douglas County, Nevada, within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Situated in the Sweetwater Mountain Range, the campground provides a primitive camping experience with partial shade from Jeffrey and Lodgepole pines. The area is popular with anglers seeking stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout in Desert Creek, as well as OHV enthusiasts who can access miles of backroads and trails in the surrounding mountains. The campground features basic amenities including restrooms (pit toilets), picnic tables, and fire rings at individual sites, but no potable water or trash service—visitors must pack out all trash. The access road requires crossing Desert Creek, which is not recommended during high water periods in early summer or during freezing conditions in late season. Four-wheel drive is not required under normal conditions, but the last nine miles are on unpaved forest roads. Due to winter snow and freezing conditions, the campground is inaccessible much of the year and operates seasonally from late May through early October, weather permitting. The remote location offers solitude and light usage, making it ideal for campers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience with opportunities for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and OHV recreation.

Directions

From Highway 395 south of Bridgeport, drive 11 miles south on Highway 182 (becomes Highway 338 in Nevada). Continue on Highway 338 for approximately 10 miles. Turn left at Risue Canyon Road (Forest Road 050) and travel approximately 7 miles on unpaved road to Desert Creek Road. Veer right at Desert Creek Road (Forest Road 027) and travel another 2 miles to campground on left. Creek crossings not recommended during high water or freezing conditions.

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