Timber Creek Campground
Timber Creek Campground is located in Duck Creek Basin, high on the Schell Creek Range, in eastern Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 8,500 feet, approximately 25 miles from the small city of Ely. Visitors to the area enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing and off-road vehicle riding, among other activities.
More like this: reservable in Nevada · pets allowed in Nevada · group sites in Nevada
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 5 |
| Standard, no hookups | 3 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
8 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Group | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 100 / 10 | Yes | ||
| B | Group | 34 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 25 / 3 | ||
| C | Group | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 25 / 3 | Yes | |
| D | Group | 34 | Gravel | None | No / – | 50 / 6 | Yes | |
| E | Group | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 25 / 3 | Yes | ||
| 1 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 4 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 6 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 11:00 AM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 1, 4, 6 are listed accessible |
The campground has five group campsites, which serve varying sizes of groups between 25-100 people. Some sites require a short walk from the parking area, on a bridge over Timber Creek, to access the site pad. All sites have picnic and serving tables, a campfire ring and a grill. Vault toilets and drinking water is provided. This is a "pack it in, pack it out" site, with no trash collection service.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest |
| Booking | Yes, reservations are required for group sites at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234208 or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | Per Day: $8 Single/ $35-$50 Group |
| Rules | Dogs must be on a leash in campground. Stock only allowed in corral area. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From McGill, travel north on Highway 93 for 5 miles. Turn on State Route 486 and continue 8 miles on the paved road. Turn left on Forest Road 425, at the Timber Creek sign, and drive up the dirt road another 3 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Ely, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 39.4000° N, 114.6275° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Lehman RV Dump Station ↗ | 35 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miSouth Fork Timber Creek1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.6 miNorth Fork Timber Creek2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.5 miMiller Canyon1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 2.5 miBrennan Mine Loop3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 3.6 miPiermont Creek3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.6 miNorth Fork Berry Creek1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside High Schells Wilderness.
- inHigh Schells Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 121,449 acres
- 13.1 miBristlecone Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 14,095 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated in a dense forest of Engelmann spruce, aspen and white fir trees, which offers partial shade and beautiful fall color. Timber Creek flows past the campground. High Schells Wilderness sits immediately ajacent to the campground and has multiple peaks greater than 11,000 ft. in elevation.
Recreation
Timber Creek is a perennial stream with rainbow and brook trout fishing. The High Schells Wilderness can be accessed from a trailhead located a half-mile up the road from the campground. The 30-mile Success Loop Scenic Drive is located in the Duck Creek Basin with views of the surrounding high desert and mountain terrain. Access to the Ranger OHV Trail is located below the campground and offers recreational opportunities for OHVs, horseback, mountain bikes and hiking.
Nearby
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park is a few miles southeast of Ely, providing an opportunity to see interesting historic stone ovens and hike an interpretive trail. The Northern Nevada Railway in Ely has a museum and offers train rides. Cave Lake State Park is a few miles south of Duck Creek Basin along the Success Loop Road.
Guidebooks for Nevada
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Best Backpacking Trips in California and NevadaMike White and Douglas Lorain, 2015Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Timber Creek Campground?
Sites at Timber Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Yes, reservations are required for group sites at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234208 or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Timber Creek Campground?
Per Day: $8 Single/ $35-$50 Group
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Timber Creek Campground?
Check-in 11:00 AM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Timber Creek Campground have?
9 sites, including 5 group standard area nonelectric and 3 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Timber Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Timber Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Timber Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Timber Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs must be on a leash in campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Timber Creek Campground?
Sites 1, 4, and 6 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Timber Creek Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Timber Creek Campground?
Timber Creek is a perennial stream with rainbow and brook trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Timber Creek Campground?
Ely, Nevada. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park is a few miles southeast of Ely, providing an opportunity to see interesting historic stone ovens and hike an interpretive trail.
Source: Getting there
What if Timber Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bird Creek Campground (4.6 mi), East Creek Campground (6.8 mi), and Cleve Creek Campground (13.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby