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Ward Charcoal Ovens
Overview
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park offers a unique blend of Nevada’s silver mining history and rugged outdoor beauty. Nestled in the Egan Range, this park is home to six beehive-shaped masonry ovens that once produced charcoal for the silver smelters of the 1870s. Visitors are greeted by these towering structures, which serve as a silent testament to the region's industrious past. Today, the park provides a peaceful environment for travelers seeking a connection to the high-desert landscape and a quiet escape from the bustle of modern life.
Location & Surroundings
Located approximately 20 miles south of Ely, the park sits at an elevation of over 7,000 feet, offering cooler temperatures and sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. The drive to the park includes several miles of well-maintained gravel road winding through sagebrush and pinion-juniper forests. The atmosphere is profoundly quiet, with wide-open horizons and unobstructed views of the night sky, making it a prime location for those who appreciate the vastness of the Great Basin region and its high-altitude terrain.
Amenities & Park Features
The Willow Creek Campground provides large, gravel sites that can accommodate moderate-sized RVs and trailers. This is a rustic experience without electrical or sewer hookups, so travelers should arrive prepared for dry camping. Park features include:
- Large sites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables.
- Clean vault toilets and seasonal potable water access.
- Dedicated space for grills and outdoor cooking.
This layout ensures a comfortable stay for those prepared for an off-grid experience while maintaining the park's primitive charm and natural serenity.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is exploring the historic ovens, but the park also boasts an extensive trail system. The Overlook Trail provides a panoramic vantage point of the ovens and the valley below, while several miles of multi-use trails are perfect for mountain biking and hiking. Nearby, travelers can visit Cave Lake State Park for fishing or head into Ely to see the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. At night, the park transforms into an international dark sky destination, offering some of the best stargazing in the western United States.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for history enthusiasts and photographers who want to capture the unique architecture of the charcoal ovens against a desert backdrop. It is also a perfect fit for off-grid RVers who enjoy quiet, secluded campgrounds over crowded resorts. If you appreciate rugged landscapes, dark skies, and a slower pace of travel, this park offers a rewarding experience. It is best suited for those with smaller to mid-sized rigs who are comfortable without hookups and want to immerse themselves in Nevada's high-country heritage.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Maryj
Kind of an amazing history and wonder. Growing up in northern Idaho among many silver mines we never had anything like this. The technology they used for smelting wasn’t the most efficient. What they left behind is a wonder. There’s a short trail around the park and is easy walking. I was the only one left in the park after a short hike coming back to an empty parking lot - it’s definitely remote and something heavy snapped a twig so I didn’t panic because I did see cow poop so probably a cow or a big foot. LOL!!! 😂
Val Afualo Conway
If you like visiting oddities and weird places, this is for you. The Ward Charcoal ovens were named for a nearby city, long gone. These ovens were used to burn wood into charcoal, to be used as fuel in an energy plant. To keep up the demand for fuel, locals denuded the area of trees for miles around. Dogs ok. There is an honor system to pay for admission to this Nevada State Park and for added entertainment , everyone can speculate how the park rangers retrieve the money you shove down the concrete honor pipe. Pro Tip: Bring your barbershop quartet here and belt out a song in the middle of the oven. The sound is very weird.
Michele Sherman
The ovens were a neat find. They are a unique reminder of our country’s history and a little sad to think of how many trees it took to fill just one of the ovens to create the charcoal. While we were there, we saw a sign for Ward’s mining town. It’s actually before you get to the ovens. The cemetery is a very interesting visit.
William Vlach
Very cool old historic structures and history! That said, I don't think they should charge us the same for this 10-15 minute experience as they charge for an entire day at Cave Lake and other parks. Especially since it takes an extra half-hour round trip on an unpaved road just to get to it. Although I should add that the road to get there is in GREAT shape (60MPH easy! =) )
Cyndi Huffman
These were an interesting pitstop to make when we were in the area. Hard to believe how many trees that they used. They have been well preserved. It’s a bit of a long drive back to get them but worth it to check them out. Vault toilets in the area. And a picnic area too! A short half mile hike just past the ovens.