Dayton State Park Explained

Dayton State Park
Map:	Nevada
Map Width:	280
Relief:	1
Label:	Dayton State Park
Location:	Dayton, Nevada, United States
Coords:	39.2486°N -119.5889°W
Area:	151.8acres
Elevation:	4360feet
Established:	1977
Free Label:	Named for
Designation:	Nevada state park
Administrator:	Nevada Division of State Parks
Visitation Num:	5,286 vehicles
Visitation Year:	2017
Visitation Ref:	^[1]

Dayton State Park is a 152acres public recreation area in the town of Dayton, Nevada, USA. The state park preserves the site of the Rock Point Stamp Mill, which was built in 1861 to process silver ore mined from the Comstock Lode.

Features

The park is separated into distinct upper and lower sections by U.S. Route 50, which runs through the center of the park.

Lower parkThe park's main entrance is in the "lower" or eastern portion which preserves a section of woodlands along the Carson River. In 1997, the valley flooded and permanently changed the course of the river, which now runs significantly farther to the east than it once did. The now dry, former riverbed can be seen. Nature trails along the ever-changing Carson River provide for bird and wildlife viewing. Day-use and group picnic areas and a 10-site campground are also located here.

Upper parkThe "upper" or western section of the park can be accessed through a pedestrian tunnel that runs beneath U.S. 50 to the Rock Point mill ruins. The Rock Point Stamp Mill was built in 1861 to process ore from Silver City and Virginia City. Wooden flumes (the remains of which are also visible) provided the necessary water for the milling process from the nearby Carson River. Rock Point was one of the largest processing mills along the Carson River.

After the mill was dismantled and moved to Silver City in the 1920s, the area was used as the town garbage dump for 30 years. The ruins of the mill include a concrete water storage tank, a reservoir and head-gage, stamp battery footings, building foundations, rock retaining walls, waterways, and “hermits cave.” Remnants of the garbage dump are visible, as is a section of the old U.S. 50. The property was deeded to the state in 1954 to be managed by the Nevada Department of Transportation. It was officially established as a state park in 1977 and opened to the public in 1979.

Activities and amenities

The park offers a 10-site campground, picnicking areas, and nature trails.

External links

Dayton State Park Nevada State Parks

Notes and References

Web site: 2018 . Division of State Parks Performance Audit . Nevada Legislature.