While this is definately a primitive campground, I can find better primitive spots with no amenities.
It does have pit toilets,(nasty), tables and metal campfire rings, the spots are cramped and ontop of each other.
Most spots are right next to the rock, cobbled dirt trail.
Across the trail is Desert Creek. You may want to take a dip in it to beat the heat in this volcanic, willow lined canyon.
If you are on the long journey to cross country to Mt. Patterson or Bridgeport, you ca fid way better spots farther in besides here. But if need be an overnite, well…..I wouldn't.
Been here many times with my son and my horses over the years. Still quiet and not over ran. Close to fishing streams, high mountain lakes, hiking trails, off roading and don't forget that trip into Bridgeport and Bodie.
Obsidian took a beating two cleaned up and they are still fixing some things. I would vonsider Obsidian more of a primitive campground, not dispersed but minimal.
Outhouse is clean, bring your own water, can get 5G/LTE here.
Tables, campfire rings, park at your site, tent, small camp trailer. At the end of the campground there is a bigger spot for groups.
Horsetrailer parking/camping across from campground in a turn around spot.
$12/Night for single unit $6/Night for extra vehicle
Both of the routes from Winnemucca are steep and winding single lanes. There are periodic pull-outs for passing. Drive cautiously.
Water: Potable Water
Restroom: Vault (3) - Open and maintained during prime season.
Fees: Per Day $8 Single $10 Double $25 Group
Restrictions: *Dogs must be on a leash. *No stock allowed in campground.
I pulled in here for a quick overnight stay and ended up staying 3 nights. It was so quiet and folks in other spots were quiet as well. It got busy on a Saturday night with folks coming in but but majority of them left the next morning early and the camp got almost empty again. Clean restrooms, bring your own water (none there) camps are private and you are pretty well hidden by pinions. It does get breezy up there and the pinions make for good wind break.
This campground is a minimal noise site and is noted around camp. The skies at night are amazing! Not too far from main trails of the White Pine Bristlecone forest. Lots of other places to explore.
No cell service, pack out your own trash (no bins), no water spigots (bring your own) there was no fee when I was there but may have changed. Ranger drives through once a day, pretty nice folk they are. Chat with them and they can give ya the heads up and places to adventure to in the area.
Had this spot marked on my mapping programs for a while. Utilized it one evening while traveling through the state. It was so quiet and peaceful with the creek running through it. It did get a little cold once the sun set behind those mountains in the canyon but I camped in September. So for fall camping I would definitely bring lots of heavy sleeping bags and sleeping materials. I camped in a tent, and I was in a older jeep. While it was overgrown that was back in 2021 but otherwise no one had been down there in a while. Didn't get a chance to check out any of the trails as I was traveling through but I would like to go back and check out the Arc Dome Wilderness Area. There was no cell phone signal and you need to bring in your own water, the bathrooms were decent, like I said no one had been down there in a while probably because of covid. One motorcycle came in in the evening and he was very quiet and camped quite a ways away from me when he saw where I was at.
I really can't see a big camper getting in here there are pretty tight spots although there is a road that goes all the way through you could probably camp down at the end. But these are pretty much tent camping, rooftop tents, motorcycles, small trailers spots.