Echo Canyon State Park Exploration Guide

Echo Canyon State Park

Echo Canyon State Park Overview

Established in 1970, this Eastern Nevada area is home to a 65-acre reservoir that presents the perfect place for boating and swimming and is home to a variety of waterfowl, including mallards, teals, and herons.

The reservoir was created in 1969-70 with the building of the Echo Canyon Dam in the Meadow Valley Wash, which is approximately ten miles downstream from Eagle Valley Reservoir. The reservoir was created primarily for flood control purposes and water storage and offers a 65-acre reservoir with a campground, picnic area, group use facilities, and boat launch.

Echo Canyon State Park is one of five Nevada State Parks located in Lincoln County and is a popular area for camping, fishing, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful scenery of eastern Nevada.

Managed By

Nevada State Parks

Area Size

65 acres

Elevation

The park ranges from an elevation of 5,200′ to 5,600′.

Time Zone

Echo Canyon State Park is located in the Pacific Time Zone but neighboring states are not. Learn about the Southwest Time Zones and Las Vegas Time Zone.

GPS Coordinates

37°54′46″N 114°16′09″

Address

Echo Canyon State Park – HC 74, Box 295 – Pioche, NV 89043
775-962-5103

How to Get to Echo Canyon State Park

Echo Canyon State Park is located 13 miles east of downtown Pioche (Echo Dam Road), via State Routes 322 and 323, and is only about twelve miles from the Nevada-Utah border.

From downtown Pioche, Echo Canyon is 12 miles or 22 minutes away on a well-maintained paved road.
From Pioche, head northeast on State Route 322 toward Cornwall Row. Turn right onto State Route 322, and continue until State Route 86 on Echo Dam Road. Follow for 8 miles to the park entrance.

Distance from major cities

3-1/2 hours north of Las Vegas: I-15 N to US-93 N to SR-322 E
1-1/2 hours northwest of Cedar City, Utah: UT-56 W to US-93 N to SR-322 E
1-1/2 hours northwest of St. George, Utah: UT-18 N to UT-56 W to US-93 N to SR-322 E

Hours Open

Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Fees

Admission to Echo Canyon State Park is $5.00 for Nevada residents. (And FREE if you purchase a Nevada State Parks pass.)

There is an additional fee of $2 for out-of-state visitors.

Echo Canyon State Park Weather

The climate of the area is arid, with hot summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures range from 85º F at midday to 45º F at night. Rainfall is variable and thunderstorms are common. Although the park is open year-round, visitors should be aware of colder temperatures and occasional snow in the winter months.

Hiking at Echo Canyon State Park

The Ash Canyon trail leads into the park’s backcountry. The 2.5-mile trail begins in the upper campground, climbs 300 feet in 1/3 of a mile to the valley rim, and then descends into the dramatic steep-sided walls of Ash Canyon. It joins the highway in Rose Valley near the eastern park entrance and returns to the campground via the paved road through Echo Canyon.

Camping

Camping in the park is available for $15.00 per night for sites with utility hookups.

The north campground has 33 campsites open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Drinking water is available near each site.

The RV campground has 20 full hook-up sites situated on a hill overlooking Dry Valley.

Campground facilities include flush toilets and an RV dump station.

A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced.

The group picnic area accommodates up to 70 people. The area offers shade ramadas, barbecue grills, picnic tables, a comfort station, and drinking water. Visitors may reserve the facility by calling or writing the park office.

Fires

Fires are permitted only in fire rings and grills provided. Collection of firewood within the park is prohibited.

Boat Info

The boat launch can be accessed for $10.00 per day, or to camp overnight and access the boat launch, it’s $20.00 per night.

The boat launch ramp is located on the north shore of the reservoir.

When the reservoir level drops during the summer, boats must be launched from shore.

Picnics

Picnic tables and barbecue grills are located at six sites along the reservoir’s shore.

Dog-Friendly

Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.

Showcasing the beauty of Eastern Nevada, Echo Canyon State Park offers year-round opportunities to enjoy a variety of great outdoor activities.

Wildlife

Common animals include squirrels, cottontails, jackrabbits, coyotes, deer, skunks, and an occasional bobcat.

Deer are seen in the early morning, as they come to the lake for water. Several species of lizards and snakes also inhabit the park.

Campers and hikers can also enjoy the eagles, hawks, songbirds, owls, and vultures that soar through the canyons and valleys.

The reservoir attracts a variety of waterfowl and shore birds including mallards, teals, herons, avocets, and the infrequent yet beautiful trumpeter swan. Eagles, hawks, songbirds, ravens, and roadrunners inhabit the canyons and valleys.

Fishermen enjoy a lake filled with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, and an occasional German brown trout.

Single-leaf pinion pine and Utah juniper are the predominant native trees at the park. Ash, Russian olive, and ponderosa pine have been planted for shade. Cottonwoods, willows, duckweed, watercress, cattails, and other riparian plants flourish along the canyon stream. Sagebrush covers the hillsides, with cactus and narrow-leaf yucca also present. Wild current grows in the backcountry canyons.

Events

Tagged Fishing Derby: May
Free Fishing Day Kid’s Fishing Derby: 2nd Saturday in June
Park to Park Pedal-Extreme Nevada 100: 2nd Saturday in October

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.