Fort Churchill State Park

This was our first time camping at Fort Churchill State Park (at the Samuel Buckland Campground). The $0 nightly cost was due to having a NV Senior Annual Permit, which eliminate all camping fees. Otherwise, it would be $15/$20 per night (NV resident/non-resident). This was a dry campground, with vault toilets. Did not use them, so I do not know how clean they were. There were water spigots throughout the campground (but not at each site) and no electricity or sewer connections. Convenient dump station as you exit the campground.
Each site has a firepit, grill and picnic table. Many of the sites were pull through. Site surface is packed dirt. Much to my irritation, there were a lot of annoying flying bugs, trying to get into your ears, eyes and nose. For some reason, I attracted them more than my wife did. Lucky me. :>( Fortunately, I did not see any mosquitos. Interior roads were well packed (gravel/asphalt mix).
Positives:
+ Quiet (folks were considerate with their generator use)
+ Fire pit and picnic table at each site
+ Plenty of hiking trails and the Fort Museum and Fort Site were interesting
Negatives:
- Annoying flying bugs. Kept me inside the trailer. Not the campground's fault, but just be aware.
- Packed dirt site, so it got a little dusty walking around

We camped here in Feb 2022 with our 27ft travel trailer. No trouble getting in or out and there are many pull through sites. No hookups, but water is available year round (or at least it was available in Feb). Dump station is easy to access on the way out of the campground. Water at the dump station is not on in the winter. It is a quick walk to the river. New picnic tables at each site.

The Fort Churchill ruins are fantastic. Easy bike ride from the campground. Plan for 60-90 minutes to walk the path at the ruins. A lot of history to learn and very kid friendly. Our 9 and 12 year olds really enjoyed the ruins.

No reservations could be a challenge in the summer, but was not a problem at all in Feb. There were plenty of sites to choose from when we arrived on Friday early evening. Only a little over an hour from Reno and 45 minutes to Virginia City which is a great way to spend the day.

Overall people we courteous with their generator use and the sites are far enough apart that it was not bothersome even when generators were on.

We drove thru both Fort Churchill State Park Campground and Scout Camp near by. We were looking for a place to camp for the night. We have a 36ft class A with a tow. Fort Churchill Campground is not accessible if you love the paint job on your rig. For lower profile campers it would be ok. Narrow dirt roads with sage brush to scratch you and overhanging low tree branches to ruin solar and a/c.

Scout camp access is deeply rotted so our Class A couldn't safely get in there, otherwise there would have been plenty of space for us.

This is a great place to go to get away and relax. The sites are large and secluded from each other. There are trails and woods to explore as well as a river to enjoy. Also a short distance hike from an interesting civil war era fort ruins. Only thin to suggest is to place the campground entrance sign closer to the road and also not behind a bush. We arrived in the evening had to drive around the loop again because we passed it. All very beautiful though!

The campground is small and rustic. It is next to a tiny river and well shaded by huge cottonwood trees. It was very quiet when we were here. Every second site was taped off to provide distancing. We were grateful.We are 33 1/2 plus bikes and a toad and we fit in one of the pull through. Nifty 2 tone ground squirrels were all over the place and quail flew up when we walked. The place is loaded with hiking paths and is connected to an historical ranch and Homestead also included. The Fort has recently been worked on to preserve it and if kept in a state of arrested decay. There is a small museum.

We have stayed in this campground a couple of times, as my boys really enjoy camping here. We have gone in the off-season so we really haven’t had many people around. Lots of trees and shade which also provide some protection from the wind. The Carson River is close by. On one trip we even did a little fishing. Water is available in the campground and there is a pit toilet. Easy access and good roads. My kids really enjoy the museum and the ruins. This place is beautiful in the fall.

The park is great, the setting in the trees near the river are great, the spaces are great, some had water but the bugs were bad. The Cemetery was sobering, the mother buried 4 of her 6 kids under the age of 3?? I think? (the sign is a bit more accurate). Granted I live bug free except a few weeks in the late summer and there was an hour or so after sunset that was better but the non biting bugs were rough, in your mouth, cocktails, and dinner. The state worker stated face nets and long sleeves are the only chance. Once out of the river valley it was much better.

The only other issue was as the trailers showed up they were running their neighbor haters from walmart in the 3 nearest campsites. At 9pm I asked one "camper" how late he was going to run it and he stated they were watching DVD's. His wife had him shut it down right after. Another fired up at 0700 but off after 10 min, I'm guessing coffee, I can respect that but our percolator works great too. All three running when we left at 0900.

Anyhow, RVing in Merica! I guess if you have good batteries and a bit of solar it doesn't help in parks. If not for the Bugs we would go back but am willing to try other spots.

A lovely little campground along the Carson River in the midst of beautiful cottonwood trees. The camp sites are set lower than the surrounding topography so it has good wind protection. This would be a pleasant, shady place to camp during the hot Nevada summers; also I imagine it would be nice in fall when the cottonwoods turn bright yellow. History buffs will enjoy this campground— being the site of an old fort, the historic aspect of the park is interesting. I was there on the Friday night of Memorial Day weekend and although I needed to get back on the road Saturday morning and couldn’t linger, I noticed that they had set up a re-enactment camp on the grounds of the museum, with folks in period military uniforms, cannons, etc. Birders will also enjoy this campground— I loved my one evening and morning there listening to the birds singing in the trees. A heads up— when you first enter the park a sign says you have to stop at the self-pay booth before going further to pay the $5 entrance fee. But if you intend to camp just drive straight to the campground and pay your $15 (no hook ups) camp fee there which includes the park entrance fee. Another note— I got better cell reception (Verizon 4G) by just climbing up a little bluff to the higher ground.