Spring Valley State Park

About Spring Valley State Park

With a 65-acre Eagle Valley Reservoir, Spring Valley State Park offers a variety of water sports including kayaking, canoeing, hiking and fishing. Boat rides and picnic tents are available, and visitors can also explore the historic Ranch House Museum. Boats, excursions, picnics, tents, etc. are also available in the park in the spring and summer months and in the winter months. Visitors can also explore and experience a historic ranch house, the Ranchhouse Museum, in Spring Valley State Park.

Although snow can make winter difficult, Spring Valley State Park is open in the summer months. The park is located on the east side of Eagle Valley Reservoir, south of the Colorado River and north of Colorado Springs.

The Wilson family friend, Willard George, bought the ranch to settle an outstanding debt to Jim Jr. and Tweed. George was raising chinchillas and cattle at the time, and his family lived off it, but he was largely absent, leaving the Wilsons to run the ranch. He was born a prominent fur dog in Hollywood and grew up with Chihuahua and Chinch, both prominent Hollywood dogs.

George gave Jim Jr. and Tweed an estate that lasted until his death in 1959, and three generations of Wilson's men are buried on the small family estate near the ranch.

Archaeologists believe the area was occupied as early as 5500 BC, but with no evidence of permanent dwellings, it appears to have been used for seasonal hunting and gathering.

The large rocky outcrop in the middle of the valley, known to many as George Washington Rock, may have been used as a lookout for Native Americans. An early Indian camp appears to be located in Eagle Valley, but it is important for visitors to know that all artifacts and rock art are protected by federal and state law and should remain undisturbed for future generations.

Mormon pioneers settled in this part of eastern Nevada in 1864, and Millet Ranch now serves as the park's headquarters. The park still has some late 19th century ranch buildings, including Rice Ranch, Millets Ranch and others, as well as a large number of early 20th century buildings.

Eagle Valley, where the town of Ursine is located, is named after the reservoir at the southern end of Spring Valley. Agriculture remains an important economic factor in Lincoln County and is the main source of income for many residents of Eagle Valley and its neighboring cities.

Horsethief Gulch Campground is located west of Eagle Valley Reservoir and has access to the Spring Valley State Park trail system and other hiking trails. It was declared a state park in 1969 and now covers 1,281 hectares, and has a total area of 2,848 acres, or about 1.5 square miles.

The ranch campsite is located 3 km north of the main campsite and has 6 campsites, each property has tables and barbecues. Water and primitive toilets are available on the campsite, as well as access to the Eagle Valley Reservoir hiking trail network.

Next to the boat docked at the reservoir, there is a picnic area for day visitors, a ramp dock for provisional mooring maneuvers is available. The hotel is also located at Eagle Valley reservoir, about 2 km north of the main campsite. This includes a restaurant, bar and barbecue facilities, as well as an outdoor pool, picnic tables and a hairdresser's shop.