Beaver Dam State Park

Beaver Dam State Park Overview

Located near the Utah border, Beaver Dam State Park is surrounded by undeveloped lands with deep canyons, flowing streams that lead to waterfalls, an outcropping of volcanic rocks (which are mostly white tuff and reddish-pink rhyolite), and forests.

Beaver Dam is one of the most remote state parks in Nevada. Its remoteness makes it a great place to disconnect and connect with nature that is accented by streams and waterfalls, pinyon, juniper, ponderosa forests, and dramatic outcrops of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, the park is a designated Watchable Wildlife Area.

Visitors can also view the remains of a pioneer settlement, Hamblin Ranch, which is named for a group of these settlers, the Hamblin family, who built a small house, blacksmith shop, and one-room schoolhouse in the area. Portions of this original ranch can still be seen in the northern portion of the park near the confluence of the Headwaters Wash and the Pine Park Wash.

Learn more about Things to do in Lincoln County, Nevada.

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Beaver Dam State Park History

The Civilian Conservation Corps was active from 1934 to 1936 building camping and picnicking areas that were destroyed by floods later in the 1930s.

Schroeder Reservoir was created with the construction of an earthen dam in 1961. After Schroeder Lake was washed out by a flood in 2005, the reservoir was not rebuilt. In 2009, the reservoir was drained and Beaver Dam Wash was restored to its natural state.

Year Established/Founded

Beaver Dam State Park was among the first four Nevada State Parks established when the state park system was created by the Nevada Legislature in 1935.

Timeline

1849 – A group of emigrants happened upon the area looking for a shortcut to the goldfields of California.
1917 – Improvements were made to the access road approaching the Utah border allowing for easier access to the park and also attracting the attention of the State of Nevada.
1934 – 1936 – The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) completed several projects in the park including campgrounds and picnic areas.
1935 – Beaver Dam became one of Nevada’s first State Parks
1930s – Flooding destroyed many of these facilities
1961 – An earthen dam was built deep in the Beaver Dam Canyon creating Schroeder Reservoir
2009 – The dam was demolished due to sedimentation fill, and a breach of the dam by a large flood event leaving the Beaver Dam Wash to return to its natural pre-dam state

Area Size

Consists of over 5,500 acres displaying a natural, primitive and rustic beauty that offers a peaceful environment to any outdoor enthusiast of hiking, camping, or fishing.

GPS Coordinates

37°31′17″N 114°04′20″W

Time Zone

Beaver Dam State Park is located in the Pacific Time Zone. Being so close to bordering states in different time zones, read more about the Las Vegas Time Zone and Southwest Time Zones.

How to Get to Beaver Dam State Park

Located approximately 34 miles east of Caliente and is adjacent to the Utah border. Visitors are able to access the park by driving 6 miles north of Caliente on US 93, then 19 miles east on a graded gravel road, and then 13 miles on a dirt road.

38 miles from Caliente
3-1/2 hours northeast of Las Vegas: I-15 N to US-93 N to Beaver Dam Road East.
2 hours west of Cedar City, Utah: UT-56 W to UT-18 S to UT-219 W to Beaver Dam Road.
2 hours northwest of St. George, Utah: UT-18 N to UT-219 W to Beaver Dam Road.

Distances from major cities:

Caliente, Nevada / 34 miles / 1 hour
Ely Nevada / 155 miles / 2 hours 51 minutes
Las Vegas, Nevada – 185 miles / 3 hours 21 minutes
St. George, Utah – 72 miles / 1 hour 36 minutes

Physical and mailing addresses, along with contact information:

Physical Address: Beaver Dam State Park, Beaver Dam Rd, Caliente, NV 89008, USA
Mailing Address: Beaver Dam State Park – PO Box 176 – Panaca, NV 89042
Phone: 775-728-8101
Email: cgsp@parks.nv.gov
Website: Beaver Dam State Park

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Road to Beaver Dam

The park is accessed by a 27-mile drive along a gravel track.

During the winter months, it is possible that a 4-wheel vehicle may be necessary.

Beaver Dam State Park Fees

The fee to enter the Beaver Dam State Park is $5 per car with Nevada plates and $10 per car for other states.

Hours Open

Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Beaver Dam Weather

Weather is highly seasonal with wide temperature swings.

The summertime temperatures range to a high of mid-90s midday and drop to mid-50s at night.

While the park is open year-round, access is limited due to harsh winter conditions, heavy snowfalls, and below-zero temperatures. During these winter months, only vehicles with four-wheel drive are recommended.

Rainfall is variable with thunderstorms common in July and August.

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Camping at Beaver Dam State Park

You have two options for camping at Beaver Dam State Park by using either their individual campsites or by securing a group campsite.

Tent Camping

Camping is allowed only at designated campsites. There are two developed campgrounds offering over 30 individual first-come-first-served campsites, each containing a fire pit, picnic table, and parking pad suitable for one vehicle and a small trailer.

$15 per Nevada car, per night ($20 per out-of-state car, per night)
Camping sites may not be reserved.
Drinking water is available from April through November and vault toilets are available year-round.
There is no trailer dump station at the park.
Some campsites can accommodate trailers up to 28′ in length
Camping is limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.

Group Camping

The group area in Campground B has a large shade ramada, camping space for up to 50 campers, table space for 60, and horseshoe pits.

It may be reserved for the day and/or overnight use by arrangement with the park office at 775-728-4460.

Places to Stay

Not into camping? Try a hotel in Cedar City, which is 72 miles away from Beaver Dam. Most of the closest hotels are about an hour’s drive to towns in Nevada or Utah.

Fires

Firewood and other combustibles must be contained within the rims of grills or stoves provided with a maximum length of 22″ for wooden materials to be burned.

Occupants must remove all unburned materials when vacating the site.

Hiking at Beaver Dam

Beaver Dam contains trails for many levels of hiking experience.

See incredible views from a vantage point high on the Overlook Trail that offers a 360-degree panorama of the canyon.

To the north, you can catch sight of the remnants of Hamblin Ranch where Headwater and Pine Park washes merge to form the Beaver Dam Wash.
To the south, you can glimpse the Beaver Dam Wash canyon that directs the streams to Littlefield, Arizona, and into the Virgin River. Access this loop trail at the southern end of Campground B. The ascent to this viewpoint is a moderate hike.

Click here to view the Beaver Dam State Park Hiking Trail Map.

Beaver Dam Wash Trail

The Beaver Dam Wash Trail is the longest trail in the immediate area at 2.2 miles, which will take you through a scenic section of the canyon floor with several stream crossings.

Interpretive Trail

The Interpretive Trail, also known as the Overlook Trail, is 0.8 miles where you will be able to see incredible views from a vantage point high on the Overlook Trail that offers a 360-degree panorama of the canyon.

Oak Knoll Trail

The Oak Knoll Trail is an easy “hike” that is 0.3 miles that descend to the stream bank for perfect access to rainbow trout. This easy trail is southeast of the campgrounds. Follow the park road south about .5 mile, turn left at the Oak Knoll sign onto the spur road, and park at the gate.

Waterfall Trail

Starting at the south end of the park road, the Waterfall Trail offers 1.2 miles of streams, warm springs, and waterfalls that drew the Civilian Conservation Corps to this part of the park during its stay in 1934-35.

Visitors can explore the pond and natural Jacuzzi remnants of days gone by. Hiking the trail offers visitors a glimpse into the past along with incredible scenery. This easy-to-moderate trail is near the southern boundary of the park.

Picnics at Beaver Dam State Park

A day-use area is at the east end of Campground A which includes picnic tables, potable water, barbecue pits, and restroom facilities.

There is a turnaround parking area that accommodates larger rigs.

At the park’s southern boundary lies another picnic area.

At the Waterfall Trailhead visitors can sit under the shade of an old cottonwood tree and have a picnic before hiking up the trail.

Mountain Bikes

Beaver Dam State Park is home to the Beaver Damn Gravel Grinder, which is held on the third Saturday in June.

Fishing

Fishing opportunities abound in the streams and may be done along the Beaver Dam Wash, below the day-use area, and Oak Knoll Trail.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife stocks the streams with rainbow trout.

A Nevada fishing license is required for anglers over the age of 12 years old with a trout stamp for fishing within the park. Single barbless hook with artificial bait only.
Licenses are NOT sold in the park. and can be purchased prior to visiting (buy online at NDOW.org).
There is a five trout limit per person.

Safety

Below are a few articles we have developed that may be helpful for planning your next adventure:

Wildlife

Visitors are likely to see beavers, turkeys, jackrabbits, and porcupines during their visit.

Beaver Dam is also home to mule deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, great blue herons, and an occasional mountain lion, as well as many different lizards and snakes.

Dog-Friendly

Leashed pets (leash no longer than 6′) are welcome at most Nevada State Parks.

At Beaver Dam State Park, pets are welcome as long as they are leashed and are not allowed in park buildings or structures.

Accessibility

Those with developmental and/or physical limitations are invited to enjoy all of the recreational activities of Nevada State Parks.

If you would like to request additional support or accommodations, please call Nevada State Parks at (775) 684-2770.

Drones at Beaver Dam

The use of drones is prohibited in Nevada State Parks unless in an area designated for that use by a park supervisor or by the issuance of a special use permit for use of an unmanned aircraft.

All applicable FAA regulations apply.