Air Force opens its doors to 800,000 curious visitors, putting it among the top activities for first-timers in Ohio. If you want to do the same, be sure to snag your NDOW fishing permit before visiting-the river is always flowing and stocked with tons of fish.Dayton, Ohio from above the confluence of the Great Maimi and Mad RiversĮach year, the National Museum of the U.S. The Paiute People used this section of the Carson River as a fishing camp before all the mining activity happened.

If it’s outdoor recreation you’re after, Dayton State Park is a great place to wander trails, fish the trout-packed Carson River, enjoy a good barbeque with friends and family in the day use area, or even camp out for the night at one of 10 RV-friendly sites. The largest silver discovery in the world drew a massive population to the area, many of whom ended up living and working in Dayton, processing this rich silver discovery. At one point, there were a whopping 21 quartz mills that ran along the Carson River, and in 1861 the Rock Point Mill-located within modern day park boundaries-was one of the earliest large mills in Nevada built to crush ore from the Comstock mines. Water is an important piece to the stamp milling process, and conveniently enough, the Carson River ran right past the area. Here, the stamp mills would crush rock, releasing the silver and other precious metals for use.

Not long after, Dayton’s go-to status and geography secured its role in supporting the massive silver discovery happening just right up the road in Virginia City-the Comstock Lode-with a ton of stamp mills. While resting on his route to the California gold fields, Abner Blackburn discovered gold in the area using only a hunting knife and frying pan to prospect. Nevada is home to more than 600 ghost towns and mining camps, the very first gold discovery in Nevada was made near modern day Dayton. And, with gold and silver mining ruins located on site-the location of Nevada’s very first mill-this Dayton park is a one-two knockout of beauty and Nevada history.Ĭome for the mining history, stay for the beautiful riverfront scenery and recreational opportunities at 160-acre Dayton State Park. Whether the trees are in spring bloom, blazing with color in fall, or canopied in freshly-fallen snow, Dayton State Park is always ready for its close-up. Ever stumble across a place that just looks gorgeous regardless of the season? That’s a pretty apt description for Dayton State Park, found roughly 30 minutes east of Nevada’s state capital of Carson City.

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