Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park Campground

Open — Open year-round, 365 days a year. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days per 30-day period. Reservations available through Reserve Nevada.

About

Perched in the Egan Mountain Range approximately 18 miles south of Ely, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park Campground offers a unique blend of history and outdoor recreation. The Willow Creek Campground features two large pull-through spaces suitable for RVs along with numerous distinct sites accommodating various camping styles. The campground sits at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 8,000 feet in a classic Great Basin environment, with big sagebrush at lower elevations transitioning to pinyon-juniper forests higher up. The park's centerpiece is six remarkably preserved beehive-shaped charcoal ovens built in 1876-1879 to process silver ore from the nearby Ward Mining District. These historic structures are open for touring and represent an important chapter in Nevada's mining heritage. Beyond the ovens, visitors can fish for rainbow, brown, and brook trout in Willow Creek, explore hiking and mountain biking trails suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter, or access thousands of acres of BLM lands via OHV trails. Wildlife is abundant, with elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, and numerous bird species inhabiting the area. The park also offers day-use areas with covered tables, restrooms, and scenic views.

Directions

Located approximately 18 miles south of Ely, Nevada on Cave Valley Road (Highway 893) in the Egan Mountain Range.

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