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Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area

Dave Deacon Campground, near Lund, Nevada, is a unique location that offers a rustic experience in the heart of the desert. With its free camping and no reservations required, it’s a great choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some peace and quiet.

The campground features well-maintained pit toilets and access to potable water, which is a big plus in this remote area. Visitors have noted the spacious sites, often with shade and wind protection, making it comfortable even during windy days. One camper mentioned, “The views, the birds, and the opportunity for activities all great,” highlighting the natural beauty surrounding the area.

Just a mile away, you’ll find Hot Creek, a natural hot spring that’s perfect for soaking after a day of hiking or biking on the nearby dirt roads. Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the five reservoirs within a few miles, offering plenty of opportunities to catch some bass. As one reviewer put it, “We brought an e-bike so it was a quick ride to hot spring and reservoirs.”

With its stunning mountain views and the chance to see local wildlife, Dave Deacon Campground is an excellent choice for those seeking a quiet retreat in nature. Whether you’re camping in the summer or winter, this spot provides a serene escape from everyday life.

Description

Fish and Wildlife Service

Access to Kirch WMA is free—even for overnight camping. Please make sure that you’ve got an up to date fishing license, if you plan to fish.

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Location

Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area is located in Nevada

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Las Vegas (about 175 miles to the south), take Interstate I-15 north to U.S. 93—The Great Basin Highway—then take State Route 318 north. Kirch WMA is located about 60 miles north of Hiko. Or, from Ely (about 75 miles to the south), take U.S. 6 south to State Route 318 and continue to Kirch WMA.

Coordinates

38.41142656079959 N
115.10988474998686 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

21 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2024

Not for everyone

Down 7 miles of dirt road, camp ground has several tree and some camp spots have wind/shade shelters and tables.. no other services . lots of goat heads sticker plants on the ground. It was not crowded when we were there would probably go back

Siteselected non improved site, as we have a travel trailer .
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2024

Great spot to spend the night

Other campers were friendly, it was easy to find a campsite, the bathrooms were accessible and relatively clean. There was quite a bit of trash around the campsites however which was sad.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2024

Gorgeous spot

I went to the campsite and it looked great for people who don’t mind other campers close by. There was water available for cleaning dishes, etc. and also vault toilets. That being said there is endless amounts of truly dispersed campus spots all around in this wildlife area. I spoke with a local who said that, it’s safe and accepted within the community to camp anywhere. I found a perfect little spot close to the hot creek.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Emily S., June 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Emily S., June 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Emily S., June 21, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2024

If you are looking for seclusion in the desert

This is an interesting, remote desert campground at 5500 ft. elevation.  There are pit toilets which are maintained, plus there is potable water and, amazingly, a dump station.  If you like to be in the desert surrounded by beautiful mountains, this is your place.  It is rustic, but there are picnic tables and curved shade shelters around.  There are a few scattered trees.  There is room here for 20+ campsites.  I am here June 20, 2024, and the place is only 1/3 full.  Eight day max stay and free.  Very dusty, 7 mile gravel road to get here off highway.  All in all, I have enjoyed the desert environment.  Very quiet.  No reservations.  I rated it a three because it's pretty rustic and remote.  Came from Ely, NV to the north.   Fill up your gas tank in Ely, as there is only one gas station in 77 miles.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2024

Great free spot

Drive a few miles on well maintained gravel road. Campground is basically a dirt lot with restrooms and shade. However the hot creek spring is mile a way and totally worth it. We brought an e-bike so it was quick ride to hot spring and reservoirs. One of the reservoirs has a dock so if you have a boat you can launch it there. Saw plenty of bass just hanging out near the docks. There were lots of bugs so be prepared. Otherwise a fantastic. Saw plenty of wildlife as well. My daughter had a great time. Planning on going back in winter

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Sung P., June 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Sung P., June 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Sung P., June 1, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 13, 2024

Free desert oasis

Windy the first few days, but the views, the birds, and the opportunity for activities all great. Lots of dirt roads for hiking and biking. Hot Creek a mile away if you like hot spring soaking. Campground is large enough that people running generators were not too bothersome. Pit toilets kept well stocked, if not well swept or mopped. Most sites have shade/ wind shelter. Our biggest joy was being serenaded by the birds that frequent the WMA and 3 bars of ATT.

Sitemiddle of east side
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 13, 2024

What a deal for free

In the Wayne Kirch WMA near Sunnyside, NV. Desert oasis surrounded by mountains. Well stocked pit toilets and many water faucets around the grounds. If you like hot springs, Hot Creek is one mile away and has rustic developed pools. A myriad of dirt/gravel roads for hiking and biking and the 5 reservoirs popular for fishing within a few miles. First few days we were here, had some wind form the north. Most sites have a shelter/shade protection from the south. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful restful time listening to the host of birds attracted to the area.

SiteMiddle of east side
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Teri S., May 13, 2024
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Teri S., May 13, 2024
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Teri S., May 13, 2024
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2024

Great spot in the winter

Excellent, flat, well-maintained site. Pretty views. No fees. Open year rounds.

Be aware that you need to go about 2.5 miles pat where Google will drop you off.

Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Dec. 14, 2023

Large spaces

During December thru February you may be the only camper.

Spaces are large with wind break and near by, Restrooms

are reasonable and clean. Hot creek is a few hundred yards away.

We appreciate the clubs keeping the campground picked up. The views are spectacular with out a two story or apartment building in sight. 

Appreciate the solitude, quite and area.

And I almost forgot the campground is free for the cost of a 7 mile drive on a generally smooth road , how can you go wrong?

Month of VisitDecember
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2023

Sunnyside of Life

One of my family’s favorite spots. Fishing regulations are posted by the lake. Campground is down the road from the lake and natural hot spring. We spend most of our time at the hot spring with the kids. Water and bathrooms provided at campground. No cost for overnight camping.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Catarina B., July 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Catarina B., July 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Catarina B., July 24, 2023
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2023

Pretty views

Not where the map says- but you can see the trees that mark the campground from there

SiteEast side
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2022

Quiet little place

Level site with water spigots nearby.  Lots of space between the sites and it was quiet.  The ponds and the springs are really neat but there isn't much else around.  The wind came up one night and because it is so flat it was howling.  No cell service for AT&T.  The road in is good though lots of fine dust.  Not a bad little place for a few nights to try something different.

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2022

Nice campground a few trees

Thia camp ground was easy to get to 5 miles of gravel maintained road. Pretty level, summer hot , but I think spring and fall would be nice Pit toilets (out of paper), picnic tables, spots where a little over grown. Good cell service (verizon)

Siteno sight numbers but I was by the eastern fence.
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Matthew S., September 10, 2022
Reviewed Mar. 19, 2022

Nice for the price. Not far off 318

We wanted to do some dispersed camping near basin and range nm...we couldnt find Basin and range national monument. Were barely able to turn around our rig and come back to this CG. Road looked recently graded but would not reccomend driving a big rig any furthur than the campground. Wide open lot ..free easy in and out if you have a long trailer. We stayed 2 nights..fishing seems the thing to do here..

Sitesites are not numbered
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Nov. 15, 2021

Desert Oasis

Campground is awesome, super clean, and pretty much empty. There is fresh water, a dump site and put toilets which are clean. No real privacy or shade, but no one is here so it doesn’t really bother me. It’s beautiful in a desert way, huge expanses of blue sky and nothing for miles. Hot springs about a mile down the road that you can either walk to or drive to.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2021

Scenic Desert Gem

Free campground but I would gladly pay a few dollars if it meant more upkeep for the area or more trees. The campsites are spaced out okay but there is little shrubbery to provide much privacy. The shelters were fantastic though for hanging tarps. Sites had fire pits and grills. The hot springs and reservoirs nearby were lovely. Fishing is hard to do without a boat. Dacey Reservoir has large rocks damming one side that make an okay spot to cast from. Roads are well maintained so it was easy to get here.

Will come again!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Emily H., September 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Emily H., September 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Emily H., September 7, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Dec. 23, 2020

Quietly Awesome !

First time camping here. Son and family camp here every year in October and we can see why. Nice level camp spots, water is available for washing dishes/catch. Will return again!

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Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020

Easy in, Easy Out

We arrived late at night. Campground was very easy to find and easy to get to in our big rig. We have a 39’ Class C. We used it just for a rest area between Idaho and Arizona. There were fire rings, picnic tables, sun shade at most (if not all) spots. And I did notice at least 1 vault toilet. We didn’t use anything since we are self contained so I can’t speak on the cleanliness. The only downfall for me was the dust. Because it’s summer, and so very dry, our motor home sucked up a lot of dust as we drove in on the gravel roads.

  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Stephanie  B., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Stephanie  B., August 22, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2019

Dave Deacon Campground

This is a free disperse campground. It has potable water and RV Dump. There is about 20 site for any size rigs plus tent sites also. Easy to get to and open all year round.

  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Nancy M., September 22, 2019
  • Review photo of Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area by Nancy M., September 22, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is available.