Construction work has been completed and final approval given on the campground make over at Echo Canyon State Park east of Pioche.
County Building Director Cory Lytle said the new look to the campgrounds will be “super nice. It’s a good project, a neat thing for the park.”
He said the project has been done very well, “It all came in under budget.”
The park offers a 65-acre reservoir with a campground, picnic area, group use facility and a boat launch. Abundant wildlife, a variety of native plants and unique rock formations make hiking and exploration a favorite activity.
The first permanent settlers in the area were the farmers and ranches who moved into Dry Valley in the late 1870s.
A dam was constructed at Echo Canyon in 1969-70 creating the reservoir because of the water needs and flood control for the local ranchers and farmers. Today, the alfalfa growing in the fields below the dam is the valley’s primary crop.
After the completion of the campground and group-use area, the Division of State Parks assumed operations in 1970.
Lytle said Lincoln County owns the land but has an agreement with the State to maintain the park.
County Grants Administrator Elaine Zimmerman said, “The program manager from the SNPLMA Division in Las Vegas came up to do project closeout inspections, and we conducted the final walk through at the same time.”
20 new campsites, with new restroom and shower facilities, have been added to the group use area, as well as an additional commercial septic system, and upgrades were made to the septic system on the original campground site.
The park ranges in elevation from 5,200 to 5,600 feet. The climate allows the park to be open-year round, even when there might be snow. Summer temperatures range from 85 degrees F at midday to 54 degrees at night. Winter daytime temperatures range from 40 degrees to the low teens at night. Thunderstorms are often common in the summer months.
Fees are charged for day use, camping, boating and the group areas. A fee schedule is posted in the park.
