Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Notice: Fire Restrictions in Place — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- $5 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.nv.gov(775) 289-1693
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Fire restriction Fire Restrictions in Place
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In White Pine County, about 16 miles south of Ely, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park covers about 564 acres.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| The park’s wording doesn’t give clock times — see the official wording below. | |||
Official wording
Always Open
Hours: Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Day use entrance fee | $5 · vehicle |
| Day use entrance fee | $10 · vehicle |
| Camping | $15 · vehicle |
| Camping | $20 · vehicle |
| Bike in | $2 · walk-in |
Official wording
Day use entrance fee: $5.00 per vehicle (Non-NV Vehicles $10.00 per vehicle) Camping: $15.00 per vehicle, per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $20.00 per vehicle, per night) Bike in: $2.00 per bike
Nevada park passes
- All Access Permit — $250. Entrance, camping and boating fees at all parks for 12 months (hook-up sites +$10/vehicle) Details
- Annual Day Use Permit — $100. Entrance to all parks for 12 months; camping/boating extra Details
- Senior Citizen Permit — $30 annual administrative fee. Nevada residents 65+: entrance, camping and boat launch for 12 months Details
- Disabled Veteran Permit — $30 annual administrative fee. Qualifying Nevada disabled veterans: entrance, camping and boat launch for 12 months Details
- Veteran Annual Entrance. Nevada veterans: entrance to all parks for 12 months Details
From the Nevada state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveNevada
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length. Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping: Willow Creek Campground has two large pull-through spaces for RVs, and many other distinct spaces for every type of camper. A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced.
Group Camping: There is a group camping facility in the campground.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingHikingBikingWildlife viewing and birdingHorseback ridingFishingHistoric sites and toursPicnicking
Trails
Hiking: There is a trail system that covers each end of the park and is suitable for many types of activities, including hiking and mountain biking. During winter months these trails are great for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Equestrian: You can learn about Equestrian use at Nevada Horse Trails
OHV Trails: There is an off-highway vehicle trail that connects into thousands of acres of Bureau of Land Management lands.
American Discovery Trail: The American Discovery Trail is a great way to experience Nevada's beautiful and rugged backcountry. The Nevada portion of this 6,800+ mile trail covers 500 miles of Nevada's remarkable landscape, traversing 14 mountain ranges and challenging its explorers to a total climb of 34,000 feet! Six of Nevada's State Parks can be accessed by way of this route, including Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. Stay with Nevada State Parks while exploring the American Discovery Trail!
Fishing
Fishing: There is fishing in Willow Creek. Rainbow trout are stocked as needed and the browns and brook trout are naturally reproducing.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Group facilities
Camping
- Tent camping
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
Equestrian: You can learn about Equestrian use at Nevada Horse Trails
American Discovery Trail: The American Discovery Trail is a great way to experience Nevada's beautiful and rugged backcountry. The Nevada portion of this 6,800+ mile trail covers 500 miles of Nevada's remarkable landscape, traversing 14 mountain ranges and challenging its explorers to a total climb of 34,000 feet! Six of Nevada's State Parks can be accessed by way of this route, including Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. Stay with Nevada State Parks while exploring the American Discovery Trail!
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
No climbing on the ovens; it is not safe and causes extensive damage to them.
No shooting firearms in the park.
Collection of wood is prohibited.
Please use trash cans or dumpsters provided.
Getting there
- Address
- 1696 Cave Valley Rd
Ely, NV 89315 - Nearest town
- Ely — about 16 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.0369, -114.8473
- Phone
- (775) 289-1693
- wcosp@parks.nv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Nevada State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Nevada State Parks 'Explore Parks' directory (park cards; slug = officialId) plus each park page for title/designation/coordinates
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology