Desert Creek

Map of Desert Creek
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History
Desert Creek is small (about 9 feet wide and 2
to 3 feet deep), sits at an elevation from
5,800 to 7,800 ft in Nevada, is mostly located within the Toiyabe National
Forest, and has about 10 fishable miles.
It is generally frozen in winter and snow levels make much of it
inaccessible. Anglers can catch rainbow,
brown, and brook trout by using nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, Power Bait, or
flies. There is a Forest Service
campground (no charge) with restrooms and tables at the lower end and primitive
camping is very popular along much of the creek. Indian petroglyphs between 1,000 and 4,000
years old can be found within a 1/2 mile downstream of the USFS
campground. There is high recreational
diversity in Desert Creek including birding, biking, hiking, and camping as
well as fishing.
Pertinent Information
Desert Creek is small (about 9 feet wide and 2
to 3 feet deep), sits at an elevation from
5,800 to 7,800 ft in Nevada, is mostly located within the Toiyabe National
Forest, and has about 10 fishable miles.
It is generally frozen in winter and snow levels make much of it
inaccessible. Anglers can catch rainbow,
brown, and brook trout by using nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, Power Bait, or
flies. There is a Forest Service
campground (no charge) with restrooms and tables at the lower end and primitive
camping is very popular along much of the creek. Indian petroglyphs between 1,000 and 4,000
years old can be found within a 1/2 mile downstream of the USFS
campground. There is high recreational
diversity in Desert Creek including birding, biking, hiking, and camping as
well as fishing.
Stocking
Regulations
Access
Desert Creek has a north and a south Nevada-side entry. From the town of Wellington, travel south 4.5 miles on Hwy 208 and the Wellington cutoff to Hwy 338. Head south on Hwy 338 for less than 3/4 mile and turn right to the north creek entrance, which is a gravel road (there is a small wooden sign denoting Desert Creek on Hwy 338). It is then approximately 6.5 miles to the creek. There are about five creek crossings (three to reach the campground) and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. NOTE: For safety, driving through the creek during spring runoff is not recommended. Camp trailers are not advised. Rather, take the south entrance by traveling about 14 miles south on Hwy. 338 from the north Desert Creek entrance. Again, there is a small wooden sign denoting Desert Creek. The creek is about 5 miles. There are various primitive camping areas along the creek. Other than the USFS campground, no other facilities or services exist along Desert Creek.