Beaver Dam State Park

Experience the peaceful splendor that is Beaver Dam State Park. The deep canyons, flowing streams, waterfalls, pinyon, juniper and ponderosa forests of Beaver Dam have beckoned people for centuries. Today, a visit to Beaver Dam State Park allows visitors to experience the pristine, natural beauty and primitive, rustic character that distinguishes this park from all others. The park is about three hours north of Las Vegas on the Utah border.

Beaver Dam State Park displays a natural, primitive and rustic beauty that offers a peaceful environment to any outdoor enthusiast of hiking, camping or fishing. Accented by streams and waterfalls, pinyon, juniper and ponderosa forests, and dramatic outcrops of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, the park is a designated Watchable Wildlife Area. Visitors are likely to see turkeys, jack rabbits and porcupines during their visit. Beaver Dam is also home to mule deer, coyotes, fox, bobcats, great blue herons and an occasional mountain lion, as well as many different lizards and snakes.

FACILITIES & AMENITIES

Camping: There are two developed campgrounds offering individual campsites, each containing a fire pit, picnic table and parking suitable for one vehicle and a small trailer. Camping is first-come, first-served; sites may not be reserved. Drinking water is available from April through November and vault toilets are available year-round. There is no trailer dump station at the park. Camping is limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.

Group Area: The group area in Campground B has a large shade ramada, table space for 60 and horseshoe pits. It may be reserved for day and/or overnight use by arrangement with the park office at 775-728-4460.

Picnicking/Day Use: A day use area is at the east end of Campground A. It has picnic tables, potable water, barbecue pits and restroom facilities. A turnaround parking area accommodates larger rigs. At the park's southern boundary lies another picnic area. At the Waterfall Trailhead visitors can sit under the shade of an old cottonwood tree and have a picnic before hiking up the trail.

Fishing: Fishing opportunities abound in the streams below the day use area and Oak Knoll Trail. The Nevada Department of Wildlife stocks the streams with rainbow trout. A Nevada Fishing License is required for anglers over age 12. Licenses should be purchased prior to visiting; licenses are not sold in the park. There is a five trout limit per person.

Hiking: Beaver Dam contains trails for many levels of hiking experience. See incredible views from a vantage point high on the Overlook Trail that offers a 360-degree panorama of the canyon. To the north you can catch sight of the remnants of Hamblin Ranch where Headwater and Pine Park washes merge to form the Beaver Dam Wash. To the south you can glimpse the Beaver Dam Wash canyon that directs the streams to Littlefield, Arizona, and into the Virgin River. Access this loop trail at the southern end of Campground B. The ascent to this viewpoint is a moderate hike.

The Oak Knoll Trail is an easy hike and you may want to bring a fishing rod because this trail descends to the stream bank for perfect access to rainbow trout. This easy trail is southeast of the campgrounds. Follow the park road south about .5 mile, turn left at the Oak Knoll sign onto the spur road and park at the gate.

The Waterfall Trail offers streams, warm springs and waterfalls that drew the Civilian Conservation Corps to this part of the park during its stay in 1934-35. Visitors can explore the pond and natural Jacuzzi remnants of days gone by. Hiking the trail offers visitors a glimpse into the past along with incredible scenery. This easy-to-moderate trail is near the southern boundary of the park.