Just east of Pioche, Nevada lays Echo Canyon State Park. You are not likely to find it listed in many travel guides, but if you are an adventurous RVer (like me and my wife), make sure you detour off Highway 93 for a couple of days to explore the area the next time you find yourself in Eastern Nevada.
In this installment, we will explore Ash Canyon Trail, which is part of Echo Canyon State Park.
Ash Canyon is named after the eroded volcanic ash that comprises most of the canyon. A well-built and marked trail (safety cables where needed) leads you into the canyon where shapely rock walls tower over you, side canyons tempt those who like to scramble, and shutter bugs will enjoy capturing shapes that look like animals or other familiar shapes.
Many websites tell you to start at the campground. This requires a day-use fee (unless you have camped there) and requires you to hike a fair distance across uninteresting scrub to get to the “good stuff.”
If you want to maximize your visit to Ash Canyon (i.e. less hiking and more exploring), find a place to park on the shoulder of Rose Valley Road (we parked at N37° 54.914 W 114° 15.520) and proceed to the vicinity of N37° 54.883 W114° 15.546 where you will find the trail heading up the hill to the north. After hiking uphill for about 4/10ths of a mile, you will enter the side of the canyon via an opening in the rocks.
Once in the canyon proper, the trail will head in a northwest direction. Follow the trail, exploring any side chutes that interest you, until you exit the canyon after several hundred yards.
Be sure to enjoy the views to the south when you exit the top of the canyon. Then return to your vehicle the way you came enjoying the canyons rock formations from a different angle.
From the junction of Highway 93 and 322 in Pioche, head east on Highway 322 to Echo Dam Road (also marked Highway 86). Follow Echo Dam Road to Echo Canyon State Park and park near these coordinates N37° 54.914 W 114° 15.520
There is a nice campground in Echo Canyon State Park, however it does not any hookups available.
Getting off the beaten track and exploring lesser-known areas of Nevada, just another adventure in RVing!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
Sounded so interesting I made a reservation. Can I see the beautiful formations anywhere close to the campground?
Thank you for taking the time to create a post.
I’ll be at Lake Mead for about the next six days and then off to the one you suggested.
Funny timing for this for us. We are going to Echo Canyon day after tomorrow! Drove from there a couple days ago to Spring Valley State Park. What beautiful country. We are camped at Cathedral Gorge SP now, which is also worth a stop.