Bird Creek Campground
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters
Bird Creek Recreation Area is located in the Duck Creek Basin, high on the Schell Creek Range. It sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet, approximately 25 miles from the small city of Ely. Hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area.
The campground has 10 sites. Site A is a day-use group stie, site 5 is a mult-family site, sites 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 are single sites, sites 8 and 9 are double sites requiring a short walk from the parking area, on one to two bridges over Bird Creek. All sites have picnic and serving tables, campfire rings and grills.
Vault toilets and drinking water are provided seasonally. This is a "pack it in, pack it out" facility.
Notifications and Alerts
- The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.
Need to Know
Group site is available for day-use only
Utility hookups are not available
- Click here for more information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Natural Features
Bird Creek flows perennially through the campground. A mixed forest of juniper, pinyon pine and alder trees covers the area, but provides only limited shade.
Nearby Attractions
Cave Lake State Park and Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park are a few miles from Ely. Interesting historic stone ovens and an interpretive trail are available there. The Northern Nevada Railway in Ely has a museum and offers train rides.
Recreation
The Ranger Trail can be accessed from this campground. The Ranger Trail is a designated OHV trail that also accommodates hiking and mountain biking use as well. The 30-mile Success Loop Scenic Drive is also in the area, with views of high desert and mountain terrain.
Changes & Cancellations
All change and cancellation requests should be done through Recreation.gov.
Contact Information
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825 AVENUE E ELY NV 89301
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 775-289-3031
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From 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.
Available Campsites
- Site 9, Loop Bird Creek Recreation Area , Type Group Walk To
- Site 2, Loop BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5 (MULTI-FAMILY), Loop Bird Creek Recreation Area , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop Bird Creek Recreation Area , Type Group Walk To
- Site Group Site A, Loop Bird Creek Recreation Area , Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 1, Loop BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Type Standard Nonelectric
