Dog Valley Campground
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - Carson Ranger District
Longitude -120.06546, Latitude 39.56501

Dog Valley Campground is located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest just west of Peavine Mountain in Dog Valley. This is an area sort of in between Verdi, Nevada and Stampede Reservoir. Access is from Verdi on Dog Valley Road which is paved until you cross the Nevada/California border, then it turns to a fair dirt road (Sierra County Road 570) with a few sizable rocks to watch out for. 4WD is not necessary in dry conditions, but a low clearance vehicle is not recommended.

Dog Valley camp is surprisingly not well used. Why this is surprising to me is it is the closest campground to the Reno Metro Area. I guess it's not popular because it's off the beaten path down lots of dirt roads. Also the area just to south of here extensively burned in the 1994 Cottonwood fire. Perhaps many people don't realize that Dog Valley was spared in the infernos.

The campground is set along Forest Road 038, which astonishingly is paved in it's section in the campground. However, it was paved like 30 years ago, and the asphalt is in very poor condition. In fact, there is a mega pot hole between sites #4 and #5...not easily traversable in a 2WD passenger car.

Campsites are well forested with jeffrey and ponderosa pines (with a few cedar and aspen in the mix). Although some of the sites are grouped close together, privacy really isn't a problem with the dense vegetation. Sites #2 and #3 are so close together, they are virtually just one large site. Site #1 was kind of over grown from little use. Sites #5 - #8 are on top of the hill from the others and appeared to be the best.

Each site has it's own picnic table and a fire pit (most with a flip over grill attachment). There were water spigots in a few places, but they were disconnected. The pit toilet has separate mens and womens facilities. However, it is original to the campground from the 60's and not in great condition. But it was recently stocked with toilet paper.

The large group site near the entrance was in good condition and had a half-dozen or so tables, a large BBQ pit and a nice sized fire pit where a good grouping could gather 'round and toast the marshmallows. You can contact the Carson Ranger District Office in Carson City for reservations.

Four-Wheelin' is the most popular activity around these parts. Otherwise you can do some hiking and fishing. Stampede and Boca Reservoirs are about 15 minutes away to the west down fair dirt roads. Hunting is very popular in the fall.

Visited August 2005.