 | | Beaver Dam State Park is Eastern Nevada's most remote park, and is a popular area for hikers and nature enthusiasts who enjoy its primitive and rustic character. Deep canyons, pinion and juniper forests, a flowing stream and a small reservoir are the primary features, offering fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, photography and nature study.Deep canyons, meandering streams, and diverse plant communities characterize the park's landscape. Volcanic rocks are dominant and include extrusive pink rhyolite, dark red and gray andesites and white ash-fall tuffs. Vegetation varies from dense to sparse depending upon the microclimate, soil cover, topography, and other physical conditions. Dominant plants include pinion-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pines, sage brush, Gambel oak, willow and cottonwoods, and several varieties of cactus. The native wildlife at Beaver Dam is also diverse. Common animals include beaver (who actually build dams along the stream), mule deer, rabbits, bull frogs, a variety of birds, bats, rodents, lizards, and snakes. The Nevada Division of Wildlife stocks Schroeder Reservoir and the streams with rainbow trout. Desert suckers and golden shiner fish are also locally abundant.Indians first explored this area, camping and hunting along the streams of Headwaters Creek and Pine Creek. The streams join to form Beaver Dam Wash above the reservoir. Spaniards may have also crossed the region between 1540 and 1775 while establishing trade routes in the Southwest. In 1849, a group of emigrants left the established old Spanish trail to the south on their way to seek gold in California.In hospitable weather and terrain forced them to abandon their wagons on the east rim of Pine Park Canyon. They proceeded on foot with their horses and mules but before leaving the area, two men, Wesley Smith and Henry W. Bigler (who later became governor of California) engraved their initials in a cliff: "WHB, Saturday, Nov. 3, 1849". The first to homestead the area was the Hamblin family during the 1860s. Today only remains of an early 1930s railroad tie house and wooden corral are visible.Interest in the park began in 1917 when residents of Clover Valley (now Barclay) would visit the Hamblin Ranch (near the present western park boundary) for a day or two outing. The 1935 State Legislature designated Beaver Dam as a state park due to the insistence and support of local residents and state officials. Exceptional scenery and the recreational possibilities of Beaver Dam Wash were primary considerations in the park's designation. Camping facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1934-36. No other improvements were made until August 1961 when the dam was completed; creating the reservoir that provides flood control and enhanced fishing opportunities. Dedicated in 1962, the 15-acre reservoir was named for George Schroeder, an engineer who suffered a heart attack at the construction site. New campgrounds were later developed away from the flood-prone wash, where those built by the CCC had washed away. |
| |  | | | Facilities: Beaver Dam State Park provides campgrounds, a group use area, and a day-use picnic area.Camping Three developed campgrounds offer 33 individual campsites, each containing a fire pit, picnic table and parking pad, some are suitable for trailers up to 20 feet in length. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. Water hydrants and vault or chemical toilets (no flush facilities) are conveniently scattered throughout the park. Water is available from May - October with fees charged year-round.Group Area A shade ramada, with capacity for 50 persons, may be reserved for group use.Day-Use A day-use picnic area is located at the trailhead to Schroeder Reservoir. Visitors may also picnic at any of the developed campsites, as available. A Day Use fee must be paid for use of these facilities. Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted for Beaver Dam State Park. Best Time To Visit: Weather is highly seasonal with wide variations in temperature. Summertime temperatures range from 95F by midday and drop to 50F at night. Although the park is open year-round, harsh winter conditions with heavy snowfalls and temperatures dropping below zero limit access. During winter months, only vehicles with four wheel drive are recommended. Rainfall is variable, with thunderstorms common in July and August. Fees: An entrance fee is charged to enter the park, with additional fees for camping. Current fees are posted at the park entrance. Accessibility: Unknown Rules: Boats are not recommended for the reservoir. Firewood or other combustibles must be contained within the rims of grills or stoves provided with a maximum length of 22" for wooden materials to be burned. Firewood is available for a small donation. Occupants must remove all unburned materials when vacating site.Camping is allowed only in designated campsites.Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length. Pets are not allowed in park buildings or structures.All plants, animals, artifacts, rocks and mineral materials are protected by state law.Drive your vehicle only on approved routes of travel, and park only in designated parking areas. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails in the park.A Nevada fishing license with a trout stamp is required for fishing within the park. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used.Swimming, wading and all other aquatic sports are prohibited in the area of the dam's spillway.Pack it in. pack it out.Directions: To reach Beaver Dam State Park from Ely, take Hwy 93 south for 126.4 miles. Then travel east for 28 miles on a graded gravel road that leads to the park entrance. Vehicles and trailers over 25 feet long are not recommended because of switchbacks on the road to the park. To reach Beaver Dam State Park from Cedar City, take Hwy 56 west for 61.4 miles to Hwy 319. Follow 319 west for 20.8 miles and turn left on Hwy 93. Travel south on Hwy 93 for 7.7 miles. Then travel east for 28 miles on a graded gravel road that leads to the park entrance. Vehicles and trailers over 25 feet long are not recommended because of switchbacks on the road to the park. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Beaver Dam State Park | | HC 64 Box 3 | | Caliente, Nevada 89008 |
| | | Phone | | General: (775) 726-3564 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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