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Free campgrounds and camping
NEVADA CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
SHELDON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
VIRGIN VALLEY CAMPGROUND
LATITUDE: N 41°51.166
LONGITUDE: W 119°00.152
(GPS from entrance near the information board)
Dispersed and Primitive Camping

Shower House at Virgin Valley Campground
Shower House at Virgin Valley Campground

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge protects
over 900 square miles of wildlife habitat
in the northwestern corner of Nevada and
can be easily accessed from Hwy.140.

Virgin Valley Campground
Virgin Valley Campground

Virgin Valley Campground
Virgin Valley Campground

Virgin Valley Campground
Virgin Valley Campground

Virgin Valley Campground
Virgin Valley Campground
Trees provide good shade...

Virgin Valley Campground
Virgin Valley Campground

Picnic Table
Picnic Table and Metal Firering

Drinking Water at Virgin Valley Campground
Drinking Water at Virgin Valley Campground.
Water turned off in winter months, but was dripping
enough that we left a 5 gallon container under the
pump and within a couples hours it was filled.
The water is cool, clean, and just about perfect.

Virgin Valley Campground
Virgin Valley Campground

Vaulted Toilets
Picnic Tables
Metal Firerings
No Garbage Service
Camping Limit 14 Days
Drinking Water
Warm Springs
Shower House
Quiet hours between 10pm - 6am
14 Day Camping Limit

Virgin Valley Campground Regulations
Virgin Valley Campground Regulations

McGee Pond
McGee Pond at entrance to Virgin Valley CG

McGee Pond
McGee Pond

Old Chimney at Virgin Valley Campground
Old Chimney at Virgin Valley Campground

Historic Building at Virgin Valley Campground
Historic Building at Virgin Valley Campground

Friends of the Refuge
Friends of the Refuge and
Virgin Valley C.G. Supporters

Friends of the Refuge and Virgin Valley C.G. Supporters
Click on above image and print the form. Send a donation
for all the hard work....

Two jerks in Red Silverado
These jerks in the Red Silverado with
their ATVs just took over our campsite.
Plenty of other spaces, but guess these
old farts think they own the place...
(They were nice and we kind of liked them)

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW
WHAT FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT

Campfires and charcoal barbecues permitted only
in times of low fire danger. Bring your own firewood.
Propane stoves allowed year-round.

Refuge Headquarters
Refuge Headquarters

Thousand Creek Gorge
Thousand Creek Gorge

Dufurrena Pond 19
Dufurrena Pond #19
There are several ponds along the road
towards Virgin Valley Campground
LATITUDE: N 41°52.331
LONGITUDE: W 119°01.478

Dufurrena Pond 19
Dufurrena Pond #19

Big Spring Butte and Big Spring Table
Big Spring Butte and Big Spring Table
(Viewed from Hwy.140 and Road 8A)

Gooch Table
Gooch Table
(Viewed from Hwy.140 and Road 8A)

PHOTO HERE
Wild Horses near Big Springs Reservoir.
We counted 60 - 70 horses in this herd.

Wild Burros
Wild Burros viewed from Hwy.140
This old fellow is kind of beat-up and ragged.
Notice the hoof marks on his head and neck...

We have seen several wild horses and burros
throughout Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.

Black Fire Opal
Black Fire Opal
Cost $17,000 (Seventeen Thousand Dollars)
Thanks to Scott from Opal Negra Mines
for allowing us to take photos and all the
great information and history.

Opal Specimens from Opal Negra Mines
Opal Specimens from Opal Negra Mines
All pieces found in the local area.
Great selection of color and quality.

Several of the opal mines are open to the public.
Prices start around $70 per day...

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine
Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine

Road towards Royal Peacock Mine
Road towards Royal Peacock Mine

Road towards Royal Peacock Mine
Road towards Royal Peacock Mine

Road towards Royal Peacock Mine
Road towards Royal Peacock Mine

Road towards Royal Peacock Mine
Road towards Royal Peacock Mine

Hwy 140 towards Denio Junction
Hwy. 140 towards Denio Junction

DIRECTIONS:
From Winnemucca, NV
Take Hwy.95 north for 31 miles
At Denio Junction take Hwy.140
In xx miles turn right at the sign
Virgin Valley Campground is xx miles

From Lakeview, OR
Take Hwy.140 south

Sheldon National Antelope Refuge
Road 34A towards Cederville, CA
The roads are unmarked and it is easy
to go the wrong direction... make sure
you have enough fuel for your vehicle.
(We have a detailed map and still confused)

Sheldon National Antelope Refuge
Sheldon National Antelope Refuge
Sign at Road 34A west entrance

From Cederville, CA
Take Hwy.299 east...
Most roads are unmarked from this direction
Mountain grades and curves...

ROAD CONDITIONS:
Maintained dirt road
RVs use your own discretion.

There are very limited services, so fill-up
your gas tanks, because' it could be a long
distance before the next stop.

Cheapest gas in Winnemucca, NV
Gas at Denio Junction was over a
dollar extra per gallon.

Rest Area on Hwy.140
Rest Area on Hwy.140 west from Virgin Valley
LATITUDE: N 41°52.622
LONGITUDE: W 119°02.543
Vaulted Toilets, Picnic Tables, Garbage,
and Shade Ramadas.

MILEAGE CHART
From Hwy.140 at Big Spring Reservoir Junction

Lakeview, OR
Cederville, CA
Denio Junction, NV
Winnemucca, NV

95 miles
72
36
130

Hail storm on road towards Cederville
Hail storm on road towards Cederville
We parked for about a hour until it melted.
The roads were muddy and had to use caution.
June 19, 2009

Hail storm on road towards Cederville
Hail storm on road towards Cederville
Looking east back towards Sheldon NWR
Those are our tire tracks, not too much other
people crazy enough to be out here.
June 19, 2009

Always be prepared for bad weather and
temperatures at night can drop to freezing
year round.

Pets must be leashed except hunting dogs...

Motorized vehicles and bicycles must remain on
established roads.

Small amounts of precipitation can make roads
very muddy. During spring and winter, most refuge
roads are impassable due to snow or wet conditions.
Avoid driving on muddy roads for your safety and
the protection of fragile resources.

ROCK HOUNDING:
Limited to rocks on the surface only.
Up to seven pounds may be collected
per day for personal use only.

PHOTO HERE
Petroglyphs at Rock Spring Table

PHOTO HERE
Petroglyphs at Rock Spring Table

ARTIFACTS:
Collecting, possessing or damaging arrowheads,
petroglyphs or any form of artifact is strictly
prohibited.

WEAPONS:
Weapons possessed for purposes other than
in-season hunting must be unloaded and dismantled
or cased. Discharged of firearms for target practice
is not allowed.

BOATS:
Boats may be used on Big Spring Reservoir,
Catnip Reservoir and Dufurrena Ponds. Only
canoes or boats with electric motors are allowed.

FISHING:
All fishing is regulated by Nevada State law and a
fishing license is required. Check current regulations
for seasons, limits and other guidelines.

HUNTING:
Hunting is permitted in accordance with state
and federal regulations.

EMERGENCIES:
Emergency services and roadside assistance are
not readily available on the refuge. Cellular phone
coverage is extremely limited. Refuge staff are not
able to provide or sell gas, phone access, towing
or auto repair service.

PHOTO HERE
Pronghorn Antelope

Bird at Big Spring Reservoir
Birds at Big Spring Reservoir

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is home to
large herds of pronghorn antelope, scattered
bands of bighorn sheep and a rich assortment
of other wildlife.

The landscape is vast, rugged and punctuated
with scenic treasures. Waterfalls, narrow gorges
and lush springs lay hidden among the rimrock
tablelands and rolling hills of sagebrush and
mountain mahogany.

This is the heart of the high desert. Elevations
on the refuge range from 4,100 to 7,200 feet,
while annual precipitation rarely amounts to
more than 12 inches. It is a harsh environment
where a wide variety of wildlife manages to thrive.

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 111
Lakeview, OR 97620
541-947-3315

Sheldon NWR is one of over 530 refuges in
the National Wildlife Refuge System. Managed
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Rattlesnake at Alabama Hills
Western Rattlesnake

RATTLESNAKE FACTS
Western Rattlesnakes are the only venomous
reptile of which visitors should be aware.

West Rock Spring Camp
West Rock Spring Camp

Catnip Reservoir Campground
Catnip Reservoir Campground

CAMPGROUNDS:
(Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge)
Badger
Bateman Spring
Big Spring Reservoir
Catnip Reservoir
Devaney
East Rock Spring
Fish Spring
Gooch Spring
Little Catnip Spring
North Hell Creek
Virgin Valley
West Rock Spring
Wheeler Spring

Last Chance Ranch
Last Chance Ranch
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
LATITUDE: N 41°51.374
LONGITUDE: W 119°35.994

Last Chance Ranch
Last Chance Ranch
Road 34A
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

HISTORICAL SITES:
(Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge)
Andy's Place
IXL Ranch
Kinney Camp
Last Chance Ranch
Little Sheldon
Virgin Valley Ranch

Sheldon National Antelope Refuge
Sheldon National Antelope Refuge

Highway 140 Structures
Old Structures on Hwy.140
LATITUDE: N 41°55.431
LONGITUDE: W 118°42.661
About 10 miles west from Denio, NV

Oregon Hwy 140
OR Hwy.140 / MP 27

Oregon Hwy 140
OR Hwy.140 / MP 27

Oregon Hwy 140
OR Hwy.140 / MP 27

Oregon Hwy 140
OR Hwy.140 / MP 33

Oregon Hwy 140
OR Hwy.140 / MP 33

Black Rock Desert Wild Horses
Wild Horses - Black Rock Desert

Black Rock Desert Three Mile Playa
Black Rock Desert / Three Mile Playa

Veterans Memorial in Winnemucca
Veterans Memorial in Winnemucca, NV

Veterans Memorial in Winnemucca
Veterans Memorial in Winnemucca, NV

Veterans Memorial in Winnemucca
Veterans Memorial in Winnemucca, NV

Road towards Onion Valley
Road towards Onion Valley

Cottonwood Meadow Lake
Cottonwood Meadow Lake

Overton Reservoir
Overton Reservoir

Also see: BLACK ROCK DESERT
Also see:
CHIMNEY DAM RESERVOIR
Also see:
COTTONWOOD MEADOW LAKE
Also see:
DOG LAKE CAMPGROUND
Also see:
DREWS CREEK CAMPGROUND
Also see:
LAKE OWYHEE
Also see:
MANN LAKE
Also see:
MODOC NF / CAVE LAKE
Also see:
MODOC NF / LASSEN CREEK
Also see:
MODOC NF / PLUM VALLEY
Also see:
ONION VALLEY RESERVOIR
Also see:
OVERTON RESERVOIR
Also see:
STEENS MOUNTAIN
Also see:
SUCCOR CREEK
Also see:
WINDY GAP

Summit Parking Area
Steens Mountain from the Summit Parking Area

Alvord Desert
Alvord Desert near Mann Lake

Thunder Mountain Park
Thunder Mountain Park
LATITUDE: N 40°39.573
LONGITUDE: W 118°07.934
I-80 / Exit 145 at Inlay, NV
(About 32 miles west from Winnemucca)

Welcome to Lakeview
Welcome to Lakeview

Wireless Internet in Lakeview.
Downtown at the Chamber of Commerce

CAMPGROUND INDEX
Complete free campground listing

CAMPING ADVICE AND TIPS

TOURIST PHOTOS

Copyright Notice
www.eugenecarsey.com

Camped here June 21, 2009
Camped here Feb 15, 2010
Snow on the mountains...

dispersedcampgrounds.com
Free campgrounds and camping
NEVADA CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
SHELDON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
VIRGIN VALLEY CAMPGROUND