Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - By Stanley W. Paher
Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps – By Stanley W. Paher

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps is a wonderful book written by Stanley W. Paher and published by Nevada Publications. The book is Copyright 1970 and contains 492 pages of “Brillantly illustrated with 700 historic and modern photographs; with numerous maps, complete index, appendix and bibliography.” This book contains information and stories from more than 575 mining sites and ghost towns in Nevada.

My copy of this book was purchased by my father for $15 at a thrift store. The pages are dog eared and well worn and covered in yellow post-it notes for later reference. The book is wonderfully organized, the source of a lot of great information about the early days of Nevada mining. The stories, photographs paint a fantastic picture of the rough and rugged individuals who settled my new home state. In many ways, the enjoyment and knowledge that I have, is based and builds upon the great work of Mr. Paher.

Stanley Paher grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and jeeped thousands of miles over the rough roads of back country Nevada. He graduated from Sacramento State with a B.A. in English. He continued his educations at the University of Nevada, where, in 1969 he earned a Masters Degree in Political Science.

The book is available for purchase from Amazon and quite a hefty price on this writing, however you can find it much cheaper at various other online stores.

Anyone who is at all interested in ghost towns, mining or Nevada history really needs a copy of this book in his/her library.

700 photographs and maps both historic and modern make a fascinating detailed and accurately researched history of nearly 600 towns and camps. A must for collectors.

Book Summary

TitleNevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps
AuthorStanley Paher
PublisherHowell North
Edition
Pages492 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0913814048
ISBN-10: 0913814040

Additional Reading

Las Vegas Bay Campground

Las Vegas Bay Campground
Lake Mead NRA

Las Vegas Bay Campground is one of several campgrounds in Lake Mead National Recreation Area and its situation on top of a bluff offers great views of Lake Mead and the Lava Butte Wash wildlife refuge

The first come, first serve campground offers 84 sites with plenty of sites for RV, trailer and tent camping. No Hook ups. The campground is secluded enough to enjoy a peaceful campout under the stars. There is no lake access, however the nearby Las Vegas Wash offers trails for hiking and picnic areas.

This campground is at low elevation in the Mojave Desert, which means possible freezing temperatures in the winter months and hot, Hot, HOT in the summer months. The spring and fall should offer the best weather, but regardless of time of year, plan ahead. Due to record low water levels, access to Lake Mead is several miles from the campground.

Campground Summary

NameLas Vegas Bay Campground
LocationLake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude,Longitude36.127401, -114.868940
Elevation1,277 Feet
Number of Sites84
AmenitiesBBQ Grills, Campground Host, Tables, Water, Dump Station, Fire Pit, Fire Rings, Firewood Available, Grills, Pets OK, Restrooms (Flush Toilets)

Las Vegas Bay Map

Resources

Callville Bay Campground

Callville Bay Campground
Lake Mead NRA

Named for the now submerged two of Callville, Callville Bay Campground offers a unique and amazing place to strike your camp. The campground is situated from Las Vegas along the northern edge of the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. It’s open year-round and features paved sites that can accommodate tents or RVs, along with tables, fire pits and/or grills. Restrooms and water spigots are located throughout the campsite.

The desert climate affords temperatures well over 100F (37C) degrees June-August. In May and September, daytime highs are around 90F (32C). October-April, temperatures are much cooler. The winter months can see the lows can dip to freezing temps. The desert area averages just four inches of rain each year. There is lush vegetation that provides shade. A few of the campsites provide views of the lake. 

Although Lake Mead water levels are low at the moment, the campground offers close proximity to boat ramps and boat and house boat rentals to allow further exploration of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Campground Summary

NameCallville Bay Campground
LocationLake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Longitude,Latitude36.138337,-114.727649
Elevation1,249 feet
Number of Sites80 Total, 52 R V sites
AmmenitiesBBQ Grills, Boat Launch/Ramp, Boat Rental, Campground Host, Tables, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookup, Fire Pit, Firewood Available, Grills, Ice, Marina, Pay Phone,Pets OK, Picnic Tables, Restrooms (Flush Toilets), RV Hookups, WiFi

Campground Map

Resources

Echo Bay Campground

Echo Bay Campground is in Lake Mead NRA
Lake Mead NRA

Echo Bay Campground is located on the shores of the Lake Mead National close to Lake Mead’s Overton Arm and is found about 3 miles east of Highway 167. The campground is organized into two sections, an upper and lower campground. The lower campground is about 3/4 miles closer to the water and consists of 34 campsites. The larger upper campground consists of 112 campsites and located about 1.5 miles from Lake Mead. The lake levels are lower at this point in time, so these distances may vary.

Both campgrounds have sites which contain tables, fire rings and grate. The campgrounds also have bathroom facilities with showers, flush toilets and water.

The campgrounds offers all of the activities associated with Lake Mead including hiking, fishing, boating etc… There are a few small beaches to enjoy the shoreline a the lake. A boat ramp offers launch facilities for those who are inclined to fish for some the the lakes bass. For those of use so inclined St Thomas Nevada is in the area.

Campground Summary

NameEcho Bay Campground
LocationLake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.308159, -114.430389
Elevation1230 feet (Lower)
1320 feet (Upper)
Number of sites146
AmenitiesTables, Fire Rings, Water, Flush Toilets, Showers

Campground Map

Resources

Boulder Beach Campground

Boulder Beach Campground is locate on Lake Mead
Lake Mead NRA

Located within 45 minutes to the Las Vegas strip, Boulder Beach Campground offers a camping opportunity near the shore of beautiful Lake Mead. The campground is located on a bluff overlooking the shoreline and Lake Mead. The campground offers views of the lake and amazing sailing, boating, fishing, swimming, fishing and hiking trails.

This is a year round campground which offers group camps, tent and RV Accommodations. During the summer moths the desert heat can be a factor, so be sure to plan ahead. Each site is equipped with fire rings and tables and palm trees may offer a break from the sun. Due to the location of the campground and the lower lake levels, the beach is located a bit further than normal.

Boulder Beach provides quick access to Hoover Damn, the Hoover Damn Bypass Bridge, the Visitor Center. The River Mountains Loop Trail and the Historic Railroad Trail provide are quick hikes which are also located near by.

The weather can vary from freezing temperatures in the winter months with summer heat the temperature of easily capable of over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a first come first serve campground

Campground Summary

NameBoulder Beach Campground
LocationLead Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.036901,-114.802604
Elevation1,280 feet
Sites154
AmmenitiesTables, Fire Rings, Water, Bathrooms,

Campground Map

Resources