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Established Camping

Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area

Lahontan State Recreation Area offers dispersed camping with terrain that includes open spaces and areas near water. Temperatures can range from highs in the 90s during summer to lows in the 20s in winter. Nearby, visitors can explore Lahontan Reservoir for fishing and boating or visit Fort Churchill State Historic Park for a glimpse into local history.

Description

State Park

Lahontan State Recreation Area

$5.00 park entrance fee for non NV plates. On the beach! 4WD recommended. First come, first serve. Seasonal vault toilets. NOTE: Showers and toilets are CLOSED during the off-season from October to May. Named after an ancient lake, Lahontan Reservoir was originally built as part of an irrigation project to water nearby farmlands. With willows and cottonwoods scattered along 69 miles of shoreline, the park is one of most popular places in Nevada to boat, fish, water-ski, horseback ride, camp and enjoy the outdoors year-round. Canoeing from Fort Churchill to the lake makes for a great day trip when conditions allow. Wild horses, bobcat, fox and deer share the park with a variety of birds, including migratory waterfowl, pelicans, herons, egrets and hawks. Lahontan is also a nesting site for bald eagles.

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Location

Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area is located in Nevada

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.4003068 N
119.2084312 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

Drive Time


Reviews

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3.5

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2025

Don's Get Bogged Down in the Sand!

Well, I did. Took me an hour to dig out (truck and trailer) and I turned around and left. This is a site more appropriate to scout ahead of time, without a trailer. I didn't see many areas suitable to set up camp, most of the land was significantly sloped, no or little shade. Wasn't my cup of tea.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed May. 12, 2024

On the Beach, lot's of places, Can get crowded

We’re regulars at this spot, pitching our tent on the south side, though there's plenty of room for the RV crowd too. The best part? You can camp right by the water! Weekdays offer serene silence, but come the weekend, it’s party and generator central—so bring your earplugs! Pit toilets might not sound glamorous, but these are shockingly tidy and bug-free. Shade might be limited around here, but play a little hide and seek, and you’ll find some cool spots to chill under. For the peeps who prefer having a "camp spot", there’s a semi-developed area with water hook-ups(electricity’s a mystery to us—we’re old-school tenters). Need to stay connected? No worries, T-mobile’s 5G has got your back everywhere in the park—essential for us road warriors. A little heads-up though: always, always check the weather first. We learned the hard way during a three-day wind festival, and, well, RIP old tent—hello, shiny new shelter!

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Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Sabrina D., May 12, 2024
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Sabrina D., May 12, 2024
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Sabrina D., May 12, 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area has water hookups.

Are fires allowed at Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is excellent coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and excellent coverage for Verizon.