Jet Ski Beach — South Fork State Recreation Area

One of three campsites on a small reservoir outside of Elko. There weren’t many water craft on the water today, but it is October. It’s sunny, warm and breezy today, but the snow on the mountains are an indicator of what is to come. Simple sites on level lots, with a shade structure, picnic table, fire pit, bbq and right on the beach. Summer is much busier I’m sure. Pit toilets but no potable water so be sure to bring your own. Looking forward to the night sky and stars!

Later that night; the light pollution from the neighboring houses and from the town have made them less than wonderful. On a side note, there are feral cats here so don’t leave out anything they may want to eat. We caught one jumping out of the back of our teardrop where we had left some bread. Naughty kitty!

Just like the next door campground of Coyote Cove, these shoreline campsites lack a lot of charm. But with your eyes constantly drawn to the Ruby Mountain's striking beauty, who needs anything more than the usual picnic table, sunshade, wind block screen, and fire ring. The pit toilets were clean and tidy, but there was no drinking water available at this campground.  

The Jet Ski Beach is a great beach for swimming, launching canoes, kayaks, small fishing boats, or personal watercraft. The boat launch and boat trailer parking lot is in the nearby Coyote Cove campground. The area offers opportunities for water sports of all kinds, hiking & mountain biking along many trails, or just sitting by the shore with a line in the water. Bird life is abundant in this area, with many species stopping along their migration route. We saw Loons, Dowitchers, White Pelicans, Coots and even the shy Hermit Thrush.  

The closest town with services is Spring Creek a short 12 miles away, a dozen more miles northwest is the city of Elko which has all the usual suburban amenities and big box stores and interstate 80 running through the middle of town. We had good mobile service and data throughout the campground. Showers, water and a dump station are available at the developed campground across the lake, though it is only open from Spring until Fall, depending upon weather conditions.