Established Camping
Bird Creek Campground
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water youll need for your visit, including drinking water.
The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water youll need for your visit, including drinking water.
About
National Forest
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters
Overview
Bird Creek Recreation Area is located in the Duck Creek Basin, high on the Schell Creek Range. It sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet, approximately 25 miles from the small city of Ely. Hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area.
Recreation
The Ranger Trail can be accessed from this campground. The Ranger Trail is a designated OHV trail that also accommodates hiking and mountain biking use as well. The 30-mile Success Loop Scenic Drive is also in the area, with views of high desert and mountain terrain.
Facilities
The campground has 10 sites. Site A is a day-use group stie, site 5 is a mult-family site, sites 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 are single sites, sites 8 and 9 are double sites requiring a short walk from the parking area, on one to two bridges over Bird Creek. All sites have picnic and serving tables, campfire rings and grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided seasonally. This is a "pack it in, pack it out" facility.
Natural Features
Bird Creek flows perennially through the campground. A mixed forest of juniper, pinyon pine and alder trees covers the area, but provides only limited shade.
contact_info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (775) 289-3031.
Nearby Attractions
Cave Lake State Park and Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park are a few miles from Ely. Interesting historic stone ovens and an interpretive trail are available there. The Northern Nevada Railway in Ely has a museum and offers train rides.
Charges & Cancellations
All change and cancellation requests should be done through Recreation.gov.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
5 day stay
We loved this campground! Site 9 has a bridge across the creek to the site (most sites did not have the bridge, maybe 3 or 4 in all) making it feel like a little private island. The ranger trail is accessible from the campground and runs in either direction. This is not a loop! It connects to other campgrounds in Humboldt National Forest and spans more than 60 miles. We hiked out and back several times and drove the success loop (a beautiful scenic gravel road). One downside was the overgrowth of trees and weeds due to the campground being closed until recently, but there was plenty of shade. With the high elevation the nights did get chilly even though the days were warm. Drinking water available and pit toilets. No electric or hookups and no cell service. Overall, this campground was beautiful and a lovely place to spend a few quiet days relaxing.
Great secluded spot
Site 5 is a great spot. However the site itself is across the little bridge from the parking area so be prepared to walk some stuff into the site. It’s not far! The site is big enough for a couple of tents.
Location
Bird Creek Campground is located in Nevada
Directions
From Ely, travel north on Highway 93 to the town of McGill. From McGill, go north 3 miles on Highway 93, to the Duck Creek Basin turnoff. Proceed east on Duck Creek Basin Road and turn left at the sign for Bird Creek Recreation Area.
Address
825 AVENUE E
Ely, NV 89301
Coordinates
39.4633333 N
114.6530556 W