Hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners have a ready base at Ward Mountain Campground (Murray Summit), a US Forest Service site set within dense juniper and pine roughly six miles from Ely, Nevada. Trails branch out from the area for biking and hiking, and the campground sits close enough to Highway 6 that resupply runs are straightforward without the highway noise bleeding into camp. Loop B, in particular, sits far enough from the road that traffic sounds fade quickly. Sites include fire rings, grills, picnic tables, and a prep counter, with most in good condition according to multiple reviewers.
Water availability is the most consistent caveat across reviews. Multiple campers note the campground lacks on-site culinary water, so plan to arrive with enough for your stay. Pit toilets are on-site and reviewers consistently describe them as clean. T-Mobile gets a signal here, which several campers specifically mention. Sites are spaced with enough separation to give each one a degree of privacy, and the layout accommodates tents, trailers, and RVs up to 40 feet, with pull-through and back-in options available.
Janet K. sums up the site mix concisely: "Juniper and pine... quiet, lots of space. Nice fire pits, grills, tables." Mosquitoes can be active at dawn and dusk during warmer months, so pack repellent. Nearby alternatives include Ward Mountain Recreation Area Dispersed -- Humboldt NF for those who prefer a less developed setting. Reservations are available for some sites, with others held as first-come, first-served. Book ahead for summer weekends.
Description
Overview
Ward Mountain Recreation Area and Campground sits in the shadow of its namesake, just 10 miles southwest from the city of Ely, in eastern Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet. Many trails are available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Recreation
Ward Mountain and the surrounding area offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Many of the trails offer scenic views of the surrounding high desert terrain.
Facilities
This campground offers single-family campsites and three large group sites that can accommodate up to 100 or more people. Multiple access points for trails are found throughout the campground with the main trailhead located at the eastern most side. All campsites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings and grills. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity. A campground host is on-site during the peak summer season.
Natural Features
Ward Mountain is the highest point in the Egan Range, topping out near 10,800 feet. The campground is well below the summit, but sits high above the desert floor below. A forest of pinyon pine and juniper trees covers the area, offering partial shade and privacy between campsites.
Nearby Attractions
Comins Lake is about 13 miles from the campground offering boating and fishing for trout and bass. Cave Lake State Park is less than 20 miles away, with opportunities for boating and fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park is 26 miles away, with interesting historic stone ovens and an interpretive trail. The Northern Nevada Railway in Ely has a museum and offers train rides. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce for more information on local events and sites.
Fee Info
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsWard Mtn. Campground (murray Summit) is located in Nevada near Ruth
Directions
From Ely, travel south on Highway 6 for 10 miles. Turn left just before Murray Summit, at the sign for the recreation area. From Las Vegas, travel north on Highway 93 for about 86 miles, to the junction with State Route 318. Follow State Route 318 north for 124 miles, to Murray Summit. Turn right at the sign for the recreation area.
Address
825 AVENUE E
Ely, NV 89301
Coordinates
39.2124528 N
114.9675889 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 7/22/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 7/22/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/22/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 7/22/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 7/22/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/22/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 20 min from St. George, UT
- 3 hrs 20 min from St. George, UT
- 3 hrs 20 min from St. George, UT
- 3 hrs 28 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 28 min from Salt Lake City, UT
- 3 hrs 28 min from Salt Lake City, UT
- 3 hrs 28 min from Salt Lake City, UT
- 3 hrs 29 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 29 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 46 min from Provo, UT
- 3 hrs 46 min from Provo, UT
- 3 hrs 46 min from Provo, UT













