Just 20 miles south of Battle Mountain in Nevada, the Mill Creek Recreation Area was the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work camp in the 1930s. In fact, when passing the entrance to the Mill Creek Campground, you can view the remains of stone pillars from that time. Mill Creek Recreation Area is at an elevation over 5,000 feet in a canyon setting. Visitors to the Mill Creek Recreation Area come not just for the beautify scenery, but for recreation, including hiking, birdwatching, picnicking and fishing. A small campground is available within the Recreation Area.
The Mill Creek Recreation Area is open all year and does not require any fees to visit. Within the Recreation Area are exhibits highlighting its history that are accessible to all visitors. During a visit to the Mill Creek Recreation Area, you will not only have the opportunity to explore the canyon, but can easily access the recreation opportunities at nearby Battle Mountain.
When considering your next RV adventure, look to north-central Nevada. A visit to the Mill Creek Recreation Area will offer the chance to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty and solitude.
To get to Mill Creek Recreation Area from Battle Mountain, take NV-305 S for 20.2 miles. Upon reaching Mill Creek Road, turn left and continue for 3.9 miles, turning right into the Mill Creek Recreation Area. With paved roads, accessing Mill Creek Recreation Area should be easy for all types of vehicles, including RVs and trailers.
During the winter months, it can snow in the area. If you are traveling to Mill Creek Recreation Area during the winter, keep an eye on the weather as you may want to be prepared with snow tires or chains.
Parking is available within Mill Creek Recreation Area.
Public transportation is not available to Mill Creek Recreation Area.
A few hours from Mill Creek Recreation Area is Angel Lake Campground. Located next to Angel Lake within the East Humboldt Mountain Range, the campground is at an elevation of 8,400 feet. There are a total of 26 sites, each with a picnic table, grill and fire ring.
While there are no hook-ups, vault toilets and drinking water are available at the campground and RV’s and trailers that are up to 30 feet are able to be accommodated. Sites can be reserved in advance online. Camping at Angel Lake Campground offers easy access to the Mill Creek Recreation Area as well as a number of activities within the East Humboldt Mountain Range.
Rye Patch State Recreation Area is a few hours from Mill Creek Recreation Area. The larger of its two campgrounds is the Westside Campground, which has 25 large sites that can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Sites are relatively private and while there are no hook-ups, there are restrooms with showers and flush toilets, as well as a dump station and potable water.
The campground also offers access to a boat ramp so that visitors can explore the reservoir and nearby picnic areas. Sites can be reserved by calling the campground office.
The second campground at Rye Patch State Recreation Area is River Campground. With 22 riverside sites, River Campground is able to accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Sites do not have hook-ups; however the majority of them have a picnic table and fire ring. Though there is no dump station at the campground, those who need one can easily access the dump station at the Westside Campground.
The campground includes restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers along with easy access to a volleyball court swimming area and a horseshoe pit. Those looking to fish will find great places to fish at the river. Reservations can be made through the campground office.
A little more than one hour from the Mill Creek Recreation Area is the Veterans Memorial Park in Winnemucca. In addition to offering beautiful views, the park offers visitors the opportunity to get up close to perfectly restored military equipment.
As you walk within the park you can check out U.S. Air Force jets, tanks, and helicopters. The park is a perfect place to relax outdoors while enjoying the scenery within and outside of its confines.
Visitors to the Mill Creek Recreation Area in Nevada will find plenty of opportunity to break out their rod and reel. Fish for brook or rainbow trout in the Recreation Area; in fact, a creek runs right through the campground.
There is a number of fishing spots in the Battle Mountain Area for those who are looking to fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bream/bluegill, northern pike and more!
For a unique experience during your visit to the Mill Creek Recreation Area, check out the Winnemucca Sand Dunes. The largest sand dune fields in the state, the Winnemucca sand dunes are ten miles north of Winnemucca.
The majority of the dunes are no higher than 100 feet. However they cover almost 40 miles of land! Visitors can engage in a number of recreation activities to include climbing the dunes and exploring them by ATV.
There are plenty of opportunities for hiking when visiting the Mill Creek Recreation Area. You can choose to hike within the Recreation Area itself (it includes a half-mile interpretive trail that is accessible), where you may encounter a number of different bird species (great horned owls, belted kingfishers, wrens and more). There are also many hiking opportunities not far from the Recreation Area that are ready to be explored.
Mill Creek Recreation Area has its own campground, which is a perfect place to stay for your visit. The campground is small, with 11 tent-only sites and three sites that can accommodate RV’s and trailers. While no hook-ups are available, each site has a fire ring and a picnic table.
The campground is at an elevation of 5,200 feet, with cottonwood trees providing shade for campers. Sites are free and first-come, first-served. A creek runs through the campground and a restroom is available nearby. As firewood is not available, those planning to camp at Mill Creek Campground should bring their own.
Nearly 2,000 feet above Winnemucca is Water Canyon Recreation Area, considered one of the leading recreation areas in the northern part of Nevada. The area is rugged and includes a lush area of cottonwood and aspen trees fed by a stream located at the bottom of the canyon.
Within the Recreation Area are opportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, ATV riding (limited) and camping. Spend the day or more exploring the area during your visit to Mill Creek Recreation Area.
For a unique experience during your trip to Mill Creek Recreation Area, experience the life of an opal prospector from the early 1900s with a visit to the Royal Peacock Opal Mine.
From May 15th through October 15th, visitors can mine for opal through bank digging (which involves picks and shoveling) or the easier tailing digging (raking through dug up ground). Visitors are able to keep what they find and the mine is best known for the black fire opal, which is Nevada’s official gemstone.
