Step back in time at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, where a perfectly preserved 1890s mining ghost town meets an extraordinary fossil site harboring North America's richest concentration of ancient marine reptiles. This remote campground offers spacious, well-separated sites that serve as your basecamp for exploring both the ghostly remnants of Nevada's silver boom and the fascinating Fossil House, all connected by scenic self-guided trails.
The park has 14 campground units; some are suitable for RVs up to 25 feet. There is no formal group use area, but groups may use the picnic area for day use or overnight with prior coordination.
Historical Significance
The park preserves the 1890s town of Berlin, many original buildings and a cemetery, as well as the Diana Mine. It was established in 1957 to protect and display abundant ichthyosaur fossils dating to roughly 225 million years ago; fossils are exhibited in the Fossil House.Weather and SeasonsThe campground welcomes visitors year-round, with drinking water flowing from mid-April through October's end. Winter transforms the landscape with snow and cold temperatures that can make access challenging, while late spring and early fall offer the sweet spot for comfortable camping—warm days, cool nights, and clear skies perfect for stargazing above the ghost town.
Natural Features and ScenerySpread across 1,540 acres of high desert terrain, the park rises from 6,840 to 7,880 feet in elevation, painting a portrait of classic Great Basin landscape. Rolling hillsides draped in silvery big sagebrush give way to scattered stands of pinyon pine and Utah juniper as you climb higher. Keep your eyes open for mule deer browsing at dawn and dusk, jackrabbits bounding across the flats, and a variety of birds, lizards, and snakes that call this rugged terrain home.
Geological RegionGreat Basin / central Nevada high‑desert
Scenic ViewsScenic high‑desert views across central Nevada and surrounding hills, with overlooks of the preserved ghost town and fossil sites along the park trails.