The best camping near South Fork State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next South Fork State Recreation Area adventure.

Find trophy trout fishing, water play, camping, and Ruby Mountain views at this northeast Nevada gem.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near South Fork State Recreation Area

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in South Fork State Recreation Area

South Fork Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In South Fork State Recreation Area

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$14

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Top-rated campgrounds near South Fork State Recreation Area

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Roughin It At Rabbit Ears

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Spring Creek, NV

Rabbit Ears is located in Pleasant Valley at the base of the Ruby Mountains. Our property is about 2 miles from the turnoff to Lamoille Canyon and features amazing views of the Ruby range. The lot is entirely fenced so feel free to bring your well behaved 4 legged friends, just note that the neighbors have sheep so escape happy dogs may need some supervision. The site has water, electric, and sewer hookups if needed.

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High Desert Dry Camping

1 site · RV, Tent70 acres · Crescent Valley, NV

I have found a place that speaks to me through its silence and stillness. May your stay here be a porthole into a new perspective on what mother nature and the awe inspiring universe have to offer.Learn more about this land: Experience high desert camping in one of the least populated counties in the United States. Stunning panoramic views of Cresent Valley and the surrounding mountains. Over a thousand acres of adjacent BLM land to explore. Enjoy some of the darkest night skys in the country. Easy to get to. Almost all of it highway driving. The last 3.5 miles are along very well maintained dirt road.

Ethereal Ranch

51 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Osino, NV

22 miles from the city of Elko, remote enough to enjoy the peace and quiet, while just a short car ride to the town of Ryndon that can provide you with all of your essentials. Hundreds of acres of land to keep you busy with incredible outdoor activities. Set up your camp and enjoy your stay! Stunning views of the ruby mountain range in addition to being home to the state's only population of mountain goats, the Rubies are also home to Nevada's largest mule deer herd. All funds go to our animal sanctuary under the Ethereal Ranch Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, ranch operations and development. Animals are free-ranged and may include but not limited to livestock, domestic and exotic rescued animals.

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Herzog Homestead

5 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Deeth, NV

Learn more about this land:This Ranch sits halfway between WELLS and Elko Nevada just off the I 80 if you go north of the next freeway exit 5 miles East of us (Exit 333 Deeth) you can drive north to Charleston or Jarbidge Nevada it’s about 50 miles to Charleston or northeast to O’Neil Basin, Taber creek, or 12 mile hot springs then to the south of us we have the Ruby Mountains and beautiful Lamoille Canyon they’re about 30 to 50 miles depending on the route you take if you go through Secret Pass and another 30 or so miles south you have the ruby marshes then we have south fork reservoir 15 miles south of Elko Wildhorse reservoir 60 miles north of Elko is Angel Lake about 40 miles away 8 miles south of Wells we also have Ruby Mountain Brewery just 15 miles south of Wells in Clover Valley plus many other beautiful places to visit

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High Desert Escape

1 site · Tent40 acres · Wells, NV

My 40-acre property has a convenient dirt road running right through it, and you get it all to yourself. The area is beautiful and the terrain is stunning with views of several mountain peaks. It's located just outside of Deeth, NV and about an hour either from Elko or Wells. If you're seeking a bit of peaceful solace, this just might be the place for you. This is raw land, with lots of sagebrush around. You might have to hunt around for a place to park and camp. You're more than welcome to clear any of the vegetation and make your own spot as well.

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Starlight Oasis Campground

2 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Elko, NV

Welcome to our peaceful and rustic campsite in Elko, Nevada! Our secluded property is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.Our campsites are simple and offer a back-to-basics camping experience. Whether you're tent camping or RVing, we have the perfect site for you. Each campsite is spacious and provides a fire pit for cooking and warmth. You'll need to bring your own water, portable restroom facilities, and any other camping gear you need to make your stay comfortable.In addition to the peaceful surroundings, our campsite offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Hike through the nearby hills and take in the stunning views, or simply relax and enjoy the quiet atmosphere. And with no light pollution in the area, you'll have a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular stargazing around.We're committed to providing a welcoming and personalized experience for each of our guests. While our amenities may be basic, we believe that our campsite offers a truly unique and authentic camping experience that you won't find anywhere else.If you're looking for a rustic and peaceful camping experience in the heart of Elko, Nevada, we invite you to book your stay at our campsite today. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful property and helping you create memories that will last a lifetime!

The best camping near South Fork State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Located near Elko in northeastern Nevada, South Fork State Recreation Area stuns with a landscape of rolling hills and meadows with the scenic Ruby Mountains as a backdrop. The highlight is the 1,600-acre South Fork Reservoir, created when the south fork of the Humboldt River was dammed. Famed for its bass and trophy trout fishing, boating, padding, and swimming are also popular on the reservoir. The park also offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, seasonal hunting, and extensive wildlife, including waterfowl. Additional amenities include two boat ramps, picnic areas, and both develop and primitive campgrounds.

Notable campgrounds

The South Fork Campground offers sites for tents and RVs, along with picnic tables, grills, fire rings, restrooms with showers, and an RV dump station.

Best for RVs: The East Campground offers six pull-in sites and power.
Best for groups: Sites 1, 25, and Tomera Cove offer group camping.
Best for water access: Open primitive camping is available along the southwest shore of the reservoir.

Tips for snagging a campsite

All campsites are first-come first-served, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the day.
Try visiting during the week and during off-peak and non-holiday times if your plans are flexible
If traveling with a group, you can make reservations for the group camping spots.

When to go

The park is open year-round and offers outdoor recreation all year. Summers are ideal for water recreation on the reservoir. Spring and summer offer the best trout fishing, while late spring is better for bass. Fall colors can be spectacular, especially in nearby Lamoille Canyon. The campground is open from May to October, depending on the weather. Winter weather and snow can affect road and other access, though ice fishing and cross-country skiing are popular activities over the winter.

Know before you go

Drive only on established roads and park in designated areas.Hunting is permitted in season with a shotgun or archery only, and must be more than a quarter mile away from developed facilities.
Campfires are only allowed in fire rings; ground fires are not permitted.
Pets are welcome but must be kept on a six feet leash.
A fishing license is required to fish at the reservoir; fishing regulations are also in effect.