Davis Creek Campground

Nestled in beautiful Washoe Valley, Nevada just outside of Reno and Carson City lies Davis Creek Campground. We found ourselves here at the Davis Creek Regional Park since it happened to be the closest year-round campground in the Sierra Nevada region. Although it seems our brutal, snowy winter still is never going to end, what better way to celebrate the first day of spring than to camp in below freezing temperatures? What was originally supposed to be a one-night camping trip to dip our toes in the water quickly turned into a two-night stay. Let’s be honest, you can’t have the first camping trip of the year be a measly one night! So, we packed up a Kodiak Canvas tent and a propane Mr. Heater, and hit the road.

The Campground

This time of year, the park management keeps only the lower section open to campers as the rest of the campsites were yet to experience a proper spring thaw. They had snow piles blocking the paths to additional sites, however very little people plan a camping trip this early in the season, so there were plenty of first-come first-serve spots available in the lower section.  The campsites have lots of free space as well as ample parking. I was very pleased with the spacing between campsites since I’m sure they fill up quickly in the summer months.

Perfect for a Family Getaway

By no means is this campground in a remote location. Cell service isn’t the strongest in some spots, but you won’t go without. If you need quick access to a grocery store, gas station, or any other resources, you’re no more than 15 minutes away by car. Davis Creek is a campground for your weekend adventurists who want a few days in the tent and to explore the outdoors, maybe do some fishing, break out the bikes, or go on a hike. It’s the perfect little spot to take the kids for some good old-fashioned family camping while sitting around the fire. If you’re ever looking to do some winter camping, Davis Creek Campground is open year-round.

Traffic and Wind

One thing to note about this campground: It is very close to a major highway with traffic going between Carson City and Reno. That would be one con to selecting a lower-section campsite like we did. (Although our circumstance with the snow left us with no other choice). I would highly recommend securing a site in the western section of Davis Creek Campground to avoid any pesky traffic noise on your outdoor getaway.

I want to remind you that Davis Creek sits in Washoe Valley which can have some very strong winds. Now I’m not saying you’re guaranteed to lose your toupee, but check your weather app before planning a trip to Davis Creek Campground if you want to avoid the chance of sleeping in a windstorm.

Verdict

Davis Creek Campground in Washoe Valley, NV is a charming little getaway in the trees. The paved roads and cell service makes this campground the perfect spot to take your kids and have a night for s’mores, and a day full of fishing and exploration. I would recommend Davis Creek to inexperienced campers since you’ll always be a short drive away from the city. For those who live in the Reno-Carson City area and don’t want to travel far, Davis Creek is also the one for you.