Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park campground
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park
In addition to the ovens, the park is home to several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. One popular trail is the Ward Charcoal Ovens Loop, which takes hikers on a 6-mile journey through the park and offers views of the ovens from multiple angles.
The camping area at Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park has 34 first-come-first-serve campsites, all of which offer fire pits and picnic tables. The campground also has vault toilets and potable water available.
An interesting fact about the park is that it was once a popular spot for stagecoaches to stop and rest on the way between Ely and Pioche. The charcoal ovens were used to fuel the stagecoaches and provide a resting spot for passengers.
The best time to visit Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park is in the fall, when the average temperatures range from 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the perfect time to enjoy the fall foliage and cooler weather while exploring the park's trails and historic ovens.
What's on-site at Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ely Elk Viewing Area - Recreation Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cave Lake State Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Ward Mountain | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Ward Mountain Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Ward Mountain Recreation Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Water Canyon Cr Nr Preston Nv | 1 cfs | → |
| Steptoe C Nr Ely | 3 cfs | → |
| Preston Big Spring Nr Preston Nv | 7 cfs | → |
| Cleve C Nr Ely | 6 cfs | → |
| Lehman Creek Near Baker | 4 cfs | → |
| Big Spring Nr Duckwater | 14 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defiance Mines | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| 14k09 - Defiance Mines | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ward Mountain | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ward Mountain | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Ely Snow 18z | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cave Mtn Nwr Wxl69 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Willow Creek Recreation Area State Park
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Site
- Cave Lake State Park
- Ely City Park
- Steptoe Park
- High Schells Wilderness
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park
Can I make reservations at Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park.