Visit Dayton State Park & Rock Point Mill

Dec 15

Written By Kevin

Established in 1977 and originally used as a Paiute fishing camp, Dayton State Park is 160 acres in size and located in the highly historic Nevada town of the same name. It features hiking trails, picnic areas, camping, fishing opportunities, and the remnants of the abandoned, “Rock Point Mill”.

Getting Here

Dayton State Park is not too far from two of Nevada’s larger cities; Carson City and Reno. From Carson, you’ll travel east on Highway 50 for about 11 miles before turning right at the entrance.

From Reno, you’ll travel south on I-580 for 30 miles before joining US-50 east for, you guessed it, 11 miles before turning right into the park.

Things to Do

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, there are many activities for you to partake in. For starters, there are two hiking trails in the park. One begins near the campground and winds through the foliage as you make your way to the banks of the Carson River.

The other also begins near the campground but goes in the opposite direction and across the highway to the ruins of an old abandoned stamp mill (more on that later).

There are several picnic areas located throughout the park proper and near the mill site. In addition, the group area provides shade and 10 picnic tables that you can reserve for birthday parties, reunions, etc.

You can also camp here. The campground is located near the entrance and contains 10 sites with fire rings, grills, and picnic tables. In addition to tent camping, each site can accommodate RV’s up to 34 feet in length. Dump stations and restrooms are located nearby.

Park fees are as follows:

$5.00 per vehicle for day use
$15.00 per night for camping (this is in addition to the day use fee)

Like most Nevada State Parks, fees getting collected are largely dependent on the honor system via self register. Both day use and camping fees are to be paid at the register station located at the entrance. Park Rangers do make regular checks throughout the day.

Rock Point Mill

For me and many others, the main attraction of this park is the opportunity to explore the remains of Rock Point Mill, an old stamp mill that first operated in 1861, was destroyed in a fire in 1909, was rebuilt in the same year, and closed for good in 1920.

Rock Point was built by Charles C. Stevenson (who from 1887 to 1890 was Governor of Nevada) at a cost of $75,000. There were originally 40 stamps that crushed silver and gold ore from the Virginia City and Gold Hill mines but was eventually expanded to 56 at its peak.

As mentioned earlier, Rock Point was destroyed by a huge fire in 1909 but was almost immediately rebuilt with galvanized iron. This new version of the mill (which are what most of the remains are from) ran until its permanent closure in 1920.

You’re free to wander about the ruins at your leisure. Here you’ll find the stamp remains, mill foundations, and a small rock hole cut out in the base of the mill. It’s not much (only around 5 feet), but it is cool to see.

There are two ways to reach the Rock Point ruins. One way is to utilize the trail that leaves from the campground in the state park proper that runs parallel along US-50. You’ll eventually reach a tunnel that goes underneath the highway and spits you out at the ruins.

If you don’t feel like walking, your other option would be to hop in your car and drive there. You’ll turn left onto US-50 from the park exit and turn right into the Gold Ranch Casino parking lot. You’ll find the entrance to this section of the park to the right of the casino.

Rock Point Mill remains. Dayton State Park.

From your car, there will be a short stroll through cottonwoods and another picnic area before reaching the ruins. The whole walk will take you around 5 minutes or so.

When to Go

The park is open 365 days a year so really, anytime is a good time. However, if you’re asking my personal opinion, I would highly recommend you pay a visit in the fall. Specifically when the fall colors are at their peak (as you can see in the photo above).

Dayton State Park, as told to me by the Ranger, is on the list for the top 10 places in the entire state for fall colors and I won’t argue with him. If you arrive at peak time, it is drop dead gorgeous.

Summer, as always, will see the most amount of visitors but even then, the park doesn’t get very busy. Chances are good that no matter when you decide to visit, you’ll be able to snag yourself a campsite and enjoy the park with minimal crowds.