Is Willow Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Willow Creek Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Willow Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Willow Creek Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Willow Creek Campground?

Willow Creek Campground is open Open year-round; potable water is typically available mid-May through September.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Willow Creek Campground?

Willow Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Willow Creek Campground?

Cell phone service at Willow Creek Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

Are dogs allowed at Willow Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Willow Creek Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Willow Creek Campground?

Willow Creek Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Willow Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Willow Creek Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Willow Creek Campground

4.54

13 reviews

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,162 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV Friendly

Book on Nevada State Parks (Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,162 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV Friendly

Book on Nevada State Parks (Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)Official Website

Get Directions

Willow Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nevada State Parks reservations are made via ReserveNevada.com. Visitors may make reservations from 3 days to 11 months in advance; inventory opens...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Nevada State Parks

Provider

(775) 684-2770

I manage this campground

Been here recently?

Campers like you keep our info accurate. Fix a detail in under 30 seconds.

Plan a trip to Willow Creek Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Willow Creek Campground

39.0412, -114.8553

Weather at Willow Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Willow Creek Campground

Summer delivers the most reliable experience. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low 80s with cool nights in the mid-30s to 50s. Potable water flows mid-May through September. The campground stays open year-round, but winter brings cold and potentially rough road conditions. Shoulder seasons attract fewer people but require carrying extra water and checking road status before you drive in.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; potable water is typically available mid-May through September.

About Willow Creek Campground

Willow Creek Campground sits at 7,162 feet in Nevada's Egan Mountain Range, where a year-round stream flows through high desert and views stretch toward Wheeler Peak. The campground offers basic first-come, first-served sites with vault toilets, picnic tables, and seasonal potable water (mid-May through September). Expect 7-11 miles of washboard gravel to get here.

Mix of tent and RV-capable sites, including two large pull-through sites suitable for RVs and at least one handicapped-accessible site. Sites are described as level with shade canopies and picnic setups.

Historical Significance

The campground sits adjacent to Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, where six beehive-shaped ovens operated from 1876-1879 to produce charcoal for silver ore processing. After mining ended, the ovens sheltered settlers and travelers. Stories mention stagecoach bandits hiding here.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable experience. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low 80s with cool nights in the mid-30s to 50s. Potable water flows mid-May through September. The campground stays open year-round, but winter brings cold and potentially rough road conditions. Shoulder seasons attract fewer people but require carrying extra water and checking road status before you drive in.

Natural Features and SceneryWillow Creek, a rare perennial stream in this arid landscape, runs through camp and holds rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The Egan Mountains provide the backdrop. Views stretch west toward Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park. Elk and mule deer appear at dawn and dusk. After dark, minimal light pollution reveals exceptional stargazing that campers consistently mention in reviews.

Geological RegionEgan Mountain Range (high desert)

Scenic ViewsCampers report strong views of Wheeler Peak/Great Basin National Park and broad high‑desert vistas; excellent night‑sky viewing.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14-day limit in a 30-day period

Need help booking Willow Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Basic, rustic campground amenities: centrally located vault toilets, seasonal potable water (hydrant near the entrance available mid-May through September), picnic tables, grills/BBQ setups, and trash receptacles. At least one ADA-accessible campsite is reported. No showers are available.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Willow Creek Campground is used for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, OHV/ATV riding on nearby BLM lands and trails, picnicking, and wildlife/bird viewing. The site is noted for trout fishing in Willow Creek and scenic views toward nearby peaks and historic sites.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRoad access is rough—long stretches of gravel/dirt and washboard conditions are commonly reported. Typical high‑desert hazards include extreme temperatures and limited on-site services; wildlife (elk, deer, birds) is present.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

13 reviews

Top-Rated

Willow Creek Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors praise the outstanding views, tranquility, dark night skies, nearby historic charcoal ovens, and good trout fishing. Commonly noted are the campground's basic, well-kept sites and limited amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 13 reviews

What Campers Love

Fantastic views (including toward Wheeler Peak), excellent stargazing, historic/interesting nearby features (Ward Charcoal Ovens), good trout fishing in Willow Creek, level sites with picnic tables...

Based on 13 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Anglers and stargazers who don't mind rustic basics will find a lot here: rainbow, brown, and brook trout in Willow Creek, near-zero light pollution, and Ward Charcoal Ovens a short drive away. Summer nights cool into the 30s-50s, so pack layers.

Skip if

No showers and vault toilets only, plus that washboard access road, will wear thin fast if comfort is a priority. Outside mid-May through September, potable water is off, you'll need to carry your own, and road conditions can turn rough in winter.

Nearby Campgrounds