Dayton State Park

Dayton State Park is located about 12 miles east of Carson City on US Highway 50 in the town of Dayton, one of Nevada's first settlements. Some of the concrete foundations of the Rock Point Mill, built in 1861 and used to process silver ore from Virginia City, Silver City and Gold Hill, are still standing in the park and provide an interesting historical highlight to the area. Rock Point Mill was one of a series of stamp mills built along the Carson River specifically to process the rich ore and free the precious metals. Costing $200,000 at the time, Rock Point Mill was one of the largest of these mills. Power came from water brought down from the Carson River via a wooden flume. The mill burned and was rebuilt several times until it was finally dismantled in 1920 and moved to Silver City.

Picnicking, camping and group facilities are available in the park. Fishing and birdwatching along the Carson River are also quite popular. The park offers 10 campsites (vehicle limit: 34 feet total) with a dump site and clean bathrooms with flush toilets but no showers. Fires are allowed in the established fire rings and BBQ pits only, but get your firewood from the campground host. Dayton State Park is open to the public year-round.

Entrance fees: $7 per vehicle per day for non-Nevada residents, $5 per vehicle per day for Nevada residents. Camping fees: $17 per site per night for non-Nevada residents, $15 per site per night for Nevada residents. Fees for use of the Group Picnic Shelters are based on the number of people involved.