Ward Mountain Recreation Area campground
Ward Mountain Recreation Area
The campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There is no potable water available, so visitors need to bring their own. The campsite is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the temperatures are mild. In the spring, the average temperature ranges from 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the fall, the temperature ranges from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
One interesting fact about the area is that the Ward Charcoal Ovens were used to produce charcoal for the smelting of silver ore in nearby mines. The ovens were so efficient that they could produce up to 40 bushels of charcoal per day, which was enough to smelt one ton of silver.
Overall, Ward Mountain Recreation Area Campsite is a great destination for those looking to enjoy the outdoors and experience the history of Nevada.
What's on-site at Ward Mountain Recreation Area
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 Mountain Recreation Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ward Mountain Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Ward Mountain | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Egan Crest Bike Trails Recreation Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Ely Elk Viewing Area - Recreation Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Ward Mountain Recreation Area -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Steptoe C Nr Ely | 3 cfs | → |
| Water Canyon Cr Nr Preston Nv | 1 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 Mountain Recreation Area -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ely Snow 18z | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ward Mountain | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Ward Mountain | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| 14k09 - Defiance Mines | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Defiance Mines | 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
- Ely City Park
- Steptoe Park
- Bristlecone Wilderness
- Cave Lake State Park
- Willow Creek Recreation Area State Park
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Site
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 Mountain Recreation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Ward Mountain Recreation Area
Can I make reservations at Ward Mountain Recreation Area?
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 Mountain Recreation Area?
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 Mountain Recreation Area.