The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campground location near Fallon, Nevada
Camper submitted image from Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed CampingView 25 Photos
RoadsMap showing campground location near Fallon, Nevada

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping

7 ReviewsAdd Review

Fifteen miles of gravel road lead to two designated overnight parking areas within Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, operated by the Fish and Wildlife Service about 20 minutes from Fallon. The maintained dirt roads accommodate any vehicle type, including large RVs, though the remote location means campers should arrive prepared with supplies.

Each camping area sits adjacent to vault toilets and trash bins, with level ground suitable for RVs and vans. Tent campers face a challenge, as the only areas away from main roads consist of loose sand that makes staking difficult. The refuge prohibits campfires and provides no designated tent pads or fire rings, reflecting its primary mission as wildlife habitat. Cell service reaches the camping areas despite the rural setting.

Wildlife viewing drives many visitors to this free camping option. Ariel & John W. noted "tons of birds, waterfowl, deer, coyotes, beavers" during their stay. The refuge's marshes and lakes support seasonal paddling opportunities, while hiking trails and interpretive paths provide access to different habitats. Mountains form the backdrop to expansive sky views.

Campers seeking developed amenities might prefer Churchill County Regional Park, which offers full hookups and facilities closer to town.

Fee Info

FREE

Reservation Info

NONE

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Loneliest Road Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Road Trip Segment: Delta to West Sacramento

Delta to West Sacramento: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Location

Dispersed Camping

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping is located in Nevada

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.5227312272232 N
118.55241115731283 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
    Last on 4/29/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
    Last on 4/29/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

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

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • 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 Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping needs a permit.

Try PRO for Free

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Nevada Contest

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

43%
29%
15%
0%
15%

4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the clean, level sites and peaceful atmosphere with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Several reviews noted issues with inaccurate coordinates making the location difficult to find initially.

Patricia I.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Nov. 16, 2025

Stillwater Dispersed miles from office

The dirt will take you to the office. The actual dispersed camping is about 15 miles further in. Where the circle is on the map. The X is the office. Very nice quiet spot to camp with lots of wildlife. Many hunters.

SiteThe division road site. The corner of Division Rd. and Nutgrass.
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Patricia I., November 16, 2025
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Patricia I., November 16, 2025
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Patricia I., November 16, 2025
  • (9) View All
Mike F.
Reviewed Jun. 17, 2025

Beautiful and quite

The coordinates lead to an info sign. Past that sign is another that clearly says how far the 2 sites are. It's a long gravel road, but if you're lucky enough to be the only campers, as we were, is beautifully serene

Sitethe Central Rd site/lot
Month of VisitJune
KThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2023

Awesome landscape w/ terrible camping

Stillwater is visually spectacular and there are tons of birds, if you’re in to that sort of thing. The road in is very well maintained and any vehicle should be able to make it, unless there’s snow. But if you’re looking to camp (like tent and sleeping bag), then this isn’t the place for you.

There are only two designated “overnight parking” areas, which are both next to the vault toilets. You could park an RV or a van here and be fine. But the only place to pitch a tent that’s not next to a main road is super loose sand. I can understand there being no fire rings being that it’s a wildlife conservation area, but there is zero demarcation of where you should pitch a tent.

Overall, cool place to visit and take pictures but not a great overnight destination.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Kevin , October 13, 2023
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Kevin , October 13, 2023
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Kevin , October 13, 2023
CThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2023

Complete different place

We went to these coordinates and turns out they are 100+ miles off. We weren’t able to see the real place and had to go to a different campground. Type in the name of the place and not the coordinates to get to the actual place.

DO NOT GO TO THESE COORDINATES!!!

Month of VisitJune
RThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 2, 2023

Wild Nevada

Spent two nights here away from everything.  Snow on the surrounding mountains, giant white pelicans in the marshes.  We felt like immigrants crossing the Nevada desert in a covered wagon (actually our custom built Ram Promaster adventure van).  Great get away.

Cort V.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2022

Coordinates Wrong

I agree with the previous reviewer, however I think the coordinates are way off.

SiteDivision
Month of VisitMay
Ariel & John W.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Nov. 6, 2020

Beautiful, clean, quiet

Stillwater NWR has a number of designated dispersed camping sites with pit toilets and trash bins. Free. All dirt roads but roads are OK. When we were there in April/May 2020, we were the only ones camping in the Refuge. Camped on Division Rd.

All sites were clean and quiet. Level. Some of the lakes are paddleable depending on season and there are lots of hiking trails and interpretive trails.

Tons of birds, waterfowl, deer, coyotes, beavers. Amazing sky with mountains in the background.

About 20 min from Fallon for supplies. Would stay again.

  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Ariel & John W., November 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping by Ariel & John W., November 6, 2020
  • (9) View All
Showing results 1-7 of 7 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping allowed at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada?

Yes, camping is allowed at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers designated dispersed camping sites that are free to use. These sites include basic amenities such as pit toilets and trash bins. The camping areas are accessible via dirt roads that are generally in good condition and navigable by most vehicles. Camping spots are available along Division Road, providing level areas for setting up. The sites are typically quiet and uncrowded, offering a peaceful wilderness experience.

When is the best time of year to visit Stillwater Refuge in Nevada?

Spring (April-May) is an excellent time to visit Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge when the weather is mild and wildlife is active. The surrounding mountains may still have snow, creating a dramatic backdrop while temperatures remain comfortable for camping. Fall is another good option when birds may be migrating through the area. Summer can be quite hot in this Nevada desert location. Winter visits are possible, but be aware that snow can affect road conditions. For optimal experience, plan your visit during spring or fall when the natural environment showcases its best features while offering comfortable camping conditions.

What wildlife viewing opportunities are available at Stillwater Wildlife Refuge?

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge offers exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly for bird watchers. The refuge's marshes attract diverse bird species, including impressive giant white pelicans. The wetland ecosystem makes it a haven for migratory and resident birds. The open landscape provides unobstructed viewing opportunities across the refuge's waters and surrounding terrain. Visitors can enjoy the visually spectacular natural environment while observing the abundant birdlife in their natural habitat. The serene setting enhances the wildlife viewing experience, especially when fewer visitors are present.

Keep Exploring