Where to Go Camping in Northeast Nevada
From the snow-capped peaks of the Ruby Mountains to relics of the state’s Old West legacy, the best overnight spots to explore near Ely and Elko
While Las Vegas and Reno demand the most attention, Nevada’s northeast corner is an intriguing combination of Old West spirit, the great outdoors, and a working-class legacy built on mining and Basque immigrant field workers. It’s quiet in these parts, with relatively mild summers and cool winters. The opportunities for camping are next level, especially in the remote landscapes near Ely, Elko, and Winnemucca, providing a vision of Nevada with nature and history front and center.
Elko County
This park is one of the most remote camping spots in Nevada, positioned far north near the Oregon border. Stretch out and soak in the vast landscape at one of 34 camp sites with basic amenities or a choice of three cabins with a shared shower facility. The warmer months are devoted to hiking, snapping photos of wildflowers, and fishing for trout, perch, and catfish from a 32-acre reservoir. The winters are frigid, but if you can handle the temperatures, the environment is ideal for skating, ice fishing, and zipping around in snowmobiles. Camping fees begin at $15 and cabins are as low as $95 a night. Book either option online.
Wells
Angel Lake is about 12 miles southwest of Wells, once a historic railroad stop, but now a pivotal interchange between Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 93. So while Angel Lake Campground feels remote, it remains convenient and accessible for those road-tripping across northern Nevada. Nestled within the East Humboldt mountain range, the alpine lake is clear enough that colorful aspens and wildflowers reflect off the water’s surface. Motorized boats are discouraged, leaving visitors to quietly enjoy paddleboats and kayaks while fishing for rainbow and brook trout. The campground, geared more towards tents than RVs, starts at $16 per night. Book your reservation now.
Spring Creek
Just south of Elko, the reservoir at the center of the South Fork State Recreation Area is relatively new, created by a dam finished in 1988. The water is best known for its exceptional trout, catfish, and bass fishing, although it’s also popular for boating and hiking in the surrounding hills and marshlands: The quiet makes beaver, deer, and other wildlife sightings pretty common. Camping — against a pristine backdrop of the Ruby Mountains — is available at various points around the lake, including the popular Jet Ski Beach, Coyote Cove, and Tomera Cove. The East Campground is the best option, however, with tables, grills, restrooms, and showers. Overnight rates begin at $25. Powered sites require an additional fee. Choose your spot and reserve online.
Elko County
The Thomas Canyon Campground is quiet, clean, and nestled within the Ruby Mountains, nicknamed the “Alps of Nevada” due to the miles of lush vegetation and snow-capped peaks. From the campsite, you can take a dip in the Lamoille Creek, fish for rainbow trout, and explore the rugged, high-elevation hikes that connect to the 43-mile Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail, where mountain goats, elk, and bighorn sheep thrive. Unless you plan to go skiing via helicopter, the area is best enjoyed between spring and fall when you can drive the 12-mile, tree-lined Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway to see nature’s fullest beauty; and/or detour to Island Lake, a hanging valley with swimming and a two-mile trailhead. The Thomas Canyon Campground doesn’t have hookups or showers, but you can access basic bathrooms and potable water. Sites begin at $19 with reservations available online.
McGill
The Schellraiser campground offers 13- to 16-foot, bell-shaped camping tents about 15 miles north of Ely. Each one is solar powered and equipped with a bed, furniture, lamps, and — for hipster charm — a patterned rug. It’s almost like having your own studio apartment inside a futuristic tent. The reinforced exterior protects against the weather and all guests have access to a heated restroom and shower, clubhouse, and small kitchen. Rates begin at $18 a night. Check availability online.
White Pine County
If you can get by with a tent and fishing pole, Timber Creek could be the right place for a weekend getaway. Just outside Ely, the campground is somewhat remote, found at the end of a three-mile-long dirt road, nestled within the high elevation and dual peaks of the High Schells Wilderness. The creek itself runs by the campsite, and the Engelmann spruce and aspen forest helps create a sense of seclusion. Each of the five main sites is adaptable for large groups with tables, drinking water, toilets, and campfire rings included. Rates begin at $10 with reservations online.
White Pine County
The Ward Mountain Recreation Area, just six miles outside Ely, is a vibrant, green collection of pine trees and juniper with trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Some wait for winter and come for cross-country skiing, although views of the high desert terrain are spectacular any time of year. The camping areas were recently renovated with new tables, grills, and paved parking spots, making Ward Mountain one of the more underrated spots to spend a night under the stars in Ely’s majestic mountain community — all with no entrance fees (though you can still book a reservation in advance).
White Pine County
Cave Lake offers a choice of two campgrounds: the easier-to-reach Elk Flat, and Lake View, which as the name suggests, sits on a 32-acre reservoir, originally built for use by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Either way, guests can take advantage of showers, flushable toilets, and level, well-manicured campsites with tables, barbecue grills, and parking. The water, encircled by the quiet mountains and crisp, fresh air, almost feels like an alpine lake, while hikers on the four main trails shouldn’t be surprised to see a large elk or deer while trekking through the forest. Cave Lake State Park shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic and only recently reopened, giving lovers of the great outdoors a renewed excuse to visit the scenic landscapes outside Ely. Park entry is $7 and overnight camping begins at $20. Check for available reservations online.
Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic State Park
Accessing the Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic State Park requires a dusty drive on an unpaved (though accessible) road outside Ely. Your reward is a fascinating piece of history, highlighted by fishing, hiking, and six, 30-foot-tall beehive-shaped charcoal ovens, once used by miners to process ore and later by stagecoach bandits as a hideout. You’ll relish the Old West legacy of the park with a night at Willow Creek Campground, featuring 15 sites and minimal amenities. Camping fees begin at $15. Online reservations are recommended, especially during summer.
White Pine County
The only national park fully inside Nevada is extremely quiet, but has five full-fledged, developed sites. The small Lower Lehman Creek Campground is closest to the main gates and the only option open year round; it’s near hiking trails and ranger-guided tours to the underground Lehman Caves (as is the larger and RV-friendly Upper Lehman Creek Campground). The Wheeler Peak Campground has an elevation of 9,886 feet — the highest of any campground in the entire national park system — and is the perfect base for exploring one of the tallest mountains in Nevada. Grey Cliff and Baker Creek (the largest campground in the park with 37 sites) are well positioned to explore the nearby alpine lakes and bristlecone pines, among the oldest trees in the world. Most lots are first come, first served. Prices begin at $15 a night and there’s a shared dump station available. Great Basin is also popular for backcountry camping and undeveloped sites along the Snake River reachable by all-terrain vehicles. Reservations for seven campgrounds in the park can be booked online.