Guide to Spring Valley State Park & Surrounding Area

Spring Valley State Park

Spring Valley State Park Overview

Located in Lincoln County, Nevada half an hour west of Pioche, Spring Valley State Park is one of the more remote state parks in Nevada.

Volcanic tuff and sediment give Spring Valley State Park a beautiful light-gray, pink and white backdrop.

A popular area for fishing, boating, site seeing, swimming, and camping, the park also allows visitors the opportunity to tour historic ranches built in the late 1800s.

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Spring Valley State Park History

In 1864, Mormon pioneers settled this part of Eastern Nevada originally and constructed a number of ranch buildings with lie within the state park boundary. Some of these late 19th-century structures still exist in the park, including those of the Rice Ranch, Millet Ranch, and others with the Millet Ranch being used as the Spring Valley State Park’s headquarters.

The main feature of the area is the 65-acre Eagle Valley Reservoir which is a 2/3-mile-long lake that was formed when the Eagle Valley Dam was built across the Meadow Valley Wash in 1965.

The area around the reservoir was designated a state park in 1969.

Year Established

Established in 1969

Managed By

Nevada Division of State Parks

Area Size

The Spring Valley State Park is comprised of 1,281 acres with a 65-acre reservoir included, the Eagle Valley Reservoir.

Elevation

The elevation of the reservoir is 5,836′.

GPS Coordinates

38.025, -114.188

How to Get to Spring Valley State Park

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

Spring Valley State Park Weather

Overall, the climate of the area is arid, with hot summers and cold winters.

The summer temperatures range from 85ºF at midday to 45ºF at night.

The rainfall in the area is variable and thunderstorms are common.

Although open year-round, visitors should be aware of colder winter temperatures and snow. In the winter months, there is exceptional ice fishing during the months of December thru February, when the lake freezes over.

Fees

Day use entrance fee: $5.00 per vehicle (Non-NV Vehicles $10.00 per vehicle)
Boat launch: $10.00 (Non-NV Vehicles: $15.00)
Camping: $15.00 per vehicle, per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $20.00 per vehicle, per night)
Camp and boat: $20.00 per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $25.00 per night)
Bike in: $2.00 per bike

Hours Open

Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Spring Valley State Park Quiet Hours

Quiet hours in the park are from 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM.

Boat Info

Located on the south shore of the reservoir, you will find a boat launch with a ramp, dock, and temporary docking slips available.

Fishing

Currently, the reservoir is currently managed as a put-and-take sport fishery for fishermen to enjoy catching the primary species, Rainbow trout, along with Tiger and German Brown Trout.

Picnics

Near the boat launch area at the reservoir, you will find the day-use picnic area which includes a fish cleaning station, a restroom, and eight picnic sites, each with a table and grill.

Campgrounds

Camping is allowed only in designated camping areas at one of the two campgrounds within Spring Valley State Park, the Horsethief Gulch Campground and the Ranch Campground.

Both campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations available, and saving or reserving campsites is prohibited-even if prepaid.

You will find the current fee schedule posted in the park and the camping fees are charged for day use and camping.

Horsethief Gulch Campground

Horsethief Gulch Campground, the main campground within the park, is located west of the Eagle Valley Reservoir with 37 established campsites, (24 with power hookups) each with a table, grill, and shade ramada, as well as three restrooms, two with showers.

Ranch Campground

Ranch Campground is located two miles north of the main campground.

This facility has seven campsites with tables and grills.

Water and primitive restrooms are available.

RV Camping at Spring Valley

The campsites can accommodate RVs up to 35′ in length.

Group Camping at Spring Valley

Day and overnight groups are accommodated at the south end of the reservoir. Reservations should be made in advance.

Wildlife

Spring Valley State Park is a great area for viewing wildlife as the reservoir is home to various vegetation and attracts a variety of waterfowl and shore birds including mallards, teals, herons, avocets, and on occasion, trumpeter swan.

Look in the sky and trees to spot soaring eagles, hawks, songbirds, ravens, and roadrunners inhabiting the canyons and valleys.

Other wildlife you may see include squirrels, cottontails, jackrabbits, coyotes, deer, skunks, and an occasional bobcat.

Also, several species of lizards and snakes also inhabit the park.

The vegetation throughout the park differs based on elevation, precipitation, soil type, and slope. The most common community is pinyon pine, Utah juniper, and big sagebrush.

The flood plains support rabbit brush, big sagebrush, and several types of grass. In the meadows, springs, and streams, cattails, sedges, and grasses are common.