Scout Camp at Fort Churchill State Historic Park is located near varied terrain with open spaces and scattered vegetation. Temperatures can range from highs in the 90s during summer to lows in the 20s in winter. Nearby, visitors can explore the historic ruins of Fort Churchill and enjoy the Carson River, offering opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.

Scout Camp is located on the Carson River Ranch section of Fort Churchill, adjacent to the Carson River. It is a large, dispersed camping or day-use area that includes picnic tables, fire rings with grill tops, one vault toilet, and multiple horse corrals. Scout Camp is a carry in, carry out trash area. Horse manure needs to be picked up and carried out, or disposed of in the designated manure dump. There is no electricity or water available here. Sites cannot be reserved. 
An integral part of the history of Nevada and the American West, Fort Churchill was built in 1860 to provide protection for early settlers and westbound emigrants and guard the Pony Express and telegraph lines. Today the ruins are preserved in a state of arrested decay within Fort Churchill State Historic Park, and visitors can walk designated trails to observe the ruins. The park also includes the renovated Buckland Station, an important way station in the 1800s for pioneer travelers on the Overland Route. Situated along the Carson River, the park is an idyllic place for camping, hiking, bird watching and canoeing.

Scout Camp — Fort Churchill State Historic Park

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This campground is across the highway and at a turn off just south of Buckland Station. It is part of the Fort Churchill complex with a clearly designated campground called Scout Camp. It has all the amenities; picnic tables, fire pits and a pit toilets. There are equestrian facilities here as well in the form of corrals and pens. Tall cottonwood trees and Sage surround a large cleared area.

Scout Camp at Fort Churchill 

We drove thru both Fort Churchill State Park Campground and Scout Camp near by. We were looking for a place to camp for the night. We have a 36ft class A with a tow. Fort Churchill Campground is not accessible if you love the paint job on your rig. For lower profile campers it would be ok. Narrow dirt roads with sage brush to scratch you and overhanging low tree branches to ruin solar and a/c.

Scout camp access is deeply rotted so our Class A couldn't safely get in there, otherwise there would have been plenty of space for us. 

No Go for 36ft Class A

Nice little primitive campground near Fort Churchill army camp ruins from the 1800s. Bring water and a generator. You can walk to the ruins or to the Carson River. A few pull-thrus. Lots of cottonwood trees for shade. 

Nice state park campground 

Small but nice.

Scout camp is on the Carson river and within the tall cottonwoods. Camp in the shade or out in the open if it’s very windy as the trees can shed branches. Garbage collection and pit toilets. Nice trail along the River. 

As of October 2023 the access road to scout camp was washed out. But there is dispersed camping on the terrace to the south. 

Gorgeous Riparian Forest 

Site had a pre-made fire pit.  There’s a few spots here to choose from, although if you’re looking for privacy they are somewhat close together.  There were 3 others here when we came.  Lots of ATVs here.  Overall pretty good for a nights stay, especially if you’re in to history!

Site on the Pony Express 

Right off the main road with minimal traffic noise. So beautiful, open, and feels safe. Late March is hot in the day and a little cool at night. Family friendly.

Convenient beautiful and peaceful 

There is a few large, flat, hard-pack areas to park in and multiple dirt roads that lead off to smaller, more secluded sites.  Many of the roads will require 4-wheel drive and high clearance but they are not too bad.  Some of the area is free while other parts appear to require payment.  Many travel trailers out here with huge set-ups and multiple vehicles.

Photos of Scout Camp — Fort Churchill State Historic Park

Real photos from real campers