Bird Creek Campground

Star4.17
23 reviews
825 AVENUE E, Ely, NV, 89301, USA

Quick Facts

8,200 ft

Price

$10 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open May 22, 2025 to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Bird Creek Campground
$10.00 - $45.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Nonelectric site fees range from $10 to $45 depending on site type and season. Group Picnic Area fees are $60, Group Walk-To sites cost $20,...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$20.00
Group Site Fee$60.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
775-289-3031
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.17

Satisfactory

Based on 23 reviews

5 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietclean

"User reviews for Bird Creek Campground are generally positive, emphasizing its serene and rustic atmosphere. Clean facilities, privacy, and the perennial creek are often highlighted as strengths. Some reviews mention maintenance issues, such as invasive weeds and faulty water spigots."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

825 AVENUE E, Ely, NV, 89301, USA

Bird Creek Campground

825 AVENUE E, Ely, NV, 89301, USA

Driving directionsFrom 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.
Road access includes a 3-mile dirt road, which some users describe as rugged. Rob Burkhart's review highlights that "3 miles dirt road" may be challenging for some campers.
Nearby places
Ely (25 miles, approximately 30 minutes driving time)
Nearby supplies
Ely, located 25 miles away, is the nearest location for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel.

Best Time to Camp at Bird Creek Campground

Experience the best of Nevada's high desert climate at Bird Creek, where crystal-clear skies dominate 59% of the year. Late spring through early fall offers the sweet spot for camping, with pleasantly mild summer days perfect for outdoor adventures. As autumn arrives, crisp mornings give way to golden afternoons, while winter transforms the landscape into a quiet wonderland dusted with light snow. The dry mountain air and dramatic temperature swings between day and night create that quintessential Western camping experience—warm sunshine by day and brilliant stargazing under cool, clear nights.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sept; summer noted as quiet and private with good access to trails.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 14% in NV

Reviews highlight stunning autumn visuals with flowing creeks and vibrant colors.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open beginning May 22; late spring is pleasant but early spring is closed due to seasonality.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Seasonal closures and limited winter usability; campground not a winter destination.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 22, 2025 to September 13, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 22, 2025 to September 13, 2025 for reservations; first-come-first-served from September 14 to October 30.
  • Current Alerts: No current warnings or advisories found.

About Bird Creek Campground

Nestled at 8,200 feet in the rugged Schell Creek Range, Bird Creek Campground offers an authentic high-country escape in the heart of Duck Creek Basin. This intimate mountain retreat features 10 thoughtfully designed sites, from secluded single spots to spacious double walk-to sites perfect for larger groups. Adventure seekers flock here for world-class mountain biking trails, scenic hiking routes, thrilling OHV adventures, and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Whether you're seeking solitude at a single site or planning a family reunion at the multi-family area, Bird Creek provides the perfect basecamp for exploring Nevada's stunning backcountry.
Bird Creek Campground provides diverse camping options, including single sites, multi-family sites, double sites, and a day-use group site. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, and grills.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
11:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Up to 14 consecutive nights allowed

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Bird Creek Campground offers a variety of recreational activities, particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, mountain biking, and off-road vehicle riding are popular. The Ranger Trail serves as a designated OHV route and also accommodates hiking and biking. Wildlife viewing and creek-related activities enhance the nature experience.
HikingThe Ranger Trail can be accessed from Bird Creek Campground. It is designed for hikers, mountain bikers, and off-road vehicle riders. One review describes hiking as 'arduous due to the fact that you're in a canyon.'
FishingFishing is available at Bird Creek, which flows perennially through the campground. Specific details about fish species are not provided.
BikingMountain biking is a featured activity at this campground, with the Ranger Trail accommodating bikers alongside hikers and OHV riders.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is listed among the recreational options, with the campground's natural setting making it ideal for spotting local fauna.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rugged dirt roads for access, invasive weeds in campsites, and the high elevation (8,200 feet), which can pose challenges for sensitive individuals.
Active AlertsNo current warnings or advisories found.

Weather at Bird Creek Campground

Reviews

4.2
23 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Bird Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Bird Creek Campground are generally positive, emphasizing its serene and rustic atmosphere. Clean facilities, privacy, and the perennial creek are often highlighted as strengths. Some reviews mention maintenance issues, such as invasive weeds and faulty water spigots.
Review Summaries
Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

Commonly praised aspects include the clean vault toilets, 'beautiful' creek-side setting, and quiet, off-grid experience. One camper remarked, 'Very comfortable, and the forest service came to check...
Show more
Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback includes weed overgrowth and occasional water spigot issues. Connectivity is also described as non-existent, which may deter those requiring internet access.
Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing tools for weed maintenance and preparing for an off-grid experience due to lack of connectivity. One user noted, 'Be prepared to walk some stuff into site 5. It’s not far!'
Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that autumn offers stunning visuals with flowing creeks and vibrant colors, while summer provides a quiet and private environment. Winter usability is limited due to seasonal...
Show more
Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Two clean vault toilets, large sites that could accommodate fairly large RVs as well as tents.' 2. 'Would definitely camp here again! Came here with the dogs to watch the eclipse.' 3. 'Weeds...
Show more
Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific feedback includes: - Site 5: 'Great space for a large family.' - Site 8 and 9: 'Require a short walk from the parking area, on one to two bridges over Bird Creek.' - Site 2: 'Private...
Show more
Based on 23 reviews

Accessibility Features

Several reviews highlight accessible features such as grills, picnic areas, campsites, and pit toilets. No specific user experiences from individuals with disabilities were noted.
Based on 23 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One user noted bringing dogs to watch the eclipse, indicating the campground is pet-friendly. No specific amenities for pets were mentioned.
Based on 23 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Bird Creek Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Nevada

Campgrounds
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters
Bird Creek Campground