Donovan Mill History Hike

Join park staff for a guided hike from the Rock Point Mill at Dayton State Park to the historic Donovan Mill in Silver City, NV. Advance reservations are required for this hike and are limited to 20 people. Reservations can be made by calling 775-687-4319 or e-mailing wlsp@parks.nv.gov. This strenuous hike is approximately 8 miles round-trip and will take approximately 5-6 hours, with an elevation gain of a little over 700 feet. The hike will begin with a short tour of the Rock Point Mill and will make a couple stops along the way to discuss the area’s history. Staff from the Comstock Foundation will meet us at the Donovan Mill to provide a tour of the site. This tour will last approximately 45 minutes, then we will hike back down to Dayton. Participants should dress in layers for changing weather conditions and bring a camera, water, lunch, snacks, a hat, sun protection, insect repellant, and binoculars. Pets are not recommended for this hike.

WHAT: Donovan Mill History Hike

WHEN: Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE: Meet at the northwest corner of the Gold Ranch Casino, across from Dayton State Park in Dayton, NV. Dayton is located 12 miles east of Carson City, NV on U.S. Highway 50.

WHO: This event is open to the public and is hosted by Dayton State Park and the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture.

COST:  There is no fee for this event. We would ask, however, that participants consider a donation to the Comstock Foundation to help them accomplish their efforts of preserving and promoting historic and cultural resources within the Comstock District (comstockfoundation.org).

CONTACT: Kim Zuch, wlsp@parks.nv.gov, 775-687-4319

MORE: The Rock Point Mill was one of the earliest large mills in Nevada built to crush ore from the Comstock mines. The mill was destroyed by fires in 1882 and 1909, and floods also caused damage. Although the mill was rebuilt, demand lessened and it was dismantled and moved to the Donovan Mill site in Silver City in the 1920s.