Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Alamo, NV

We got in on a Thursday night right around 6:30 pm. We knew we were going to be cutting it close and in our 26 foot rig out of the 10ish spaces that could fit us (some spots are only for vans or tents) only 2 were left so we suggest getting here earlier. We found a space that was available next to another camping couple who were very kind. They were pulling a Bighorn maybe a 28 ft with slides and we both fit in spots 2 and 3 with ease. The road heading in is incredibly washboarded. Stick to the left side of the road if you want a slightly less bumpy ride. Scenery was gorgeous. Lots of shade for Nevada. Amazing view of the stars too! You are close to the highway but at night the road settles down and it was not a problem for us. Being so close to the lake be prepared to be inundated with bugs at night time if you have any lights on at all. Also, people do not seem to pick up after their pets (maybe even themselves?) as the closer you get to vegetation the more poop you’ll see alongside the grass/bushes. Overall, we enjoyed our stay here. It is a donation only park and it is first come first serve! We arrived Sept 17th around 6:30 pm with only two spots left and right after we pulled in another van and camper pulled in so I’m pretty sure it was full by 7 pm. Temps were low 60s at night and 85 when we arrived up until about 8:30 pm! Each site is spaced far enough apart where you aren’t necessarily on top of each other (except for our site which was meant for two rv’s)! There are also picnic tables, grills and fire pits at each site.

Ranger Review: GCI Pod Rocker at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, near Alamo, NV.

CAMPGROUND REVIEW 

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, 9 miles south of near Alamo, NV. This campground is absolutely gorgeous and FREE!! However, nothing is ever really"free," so the price you pay is tolerating the noise from the very close US 93 highway. Noise diminishes at night, as there's very little truck traffic. At the time of this writing, Interstate 15 is detoured to this highway en route to Utah(until Spring 2020). All sites are first come first serve.  Each site has a picnic table, grill, fire pit, and a view of Upper Pahranagat Lake. Sites were clean& tidy in spite of no camp hosts. There are very few amenities: No water and a few scattered vault toilets. There is a handicap accessible site at the end of the long campground road with a paved stretch of sidewalk that goes to the south end of the lake. At the south end, there is a telescope for viewing wildlife and a park bench. We fished in the kayak a bit, but there were no bites. The landscaping is beautiful, with song birds always chirping. There's also a loop trail around the lake and another trail to the visitor's center. 

Campground highlights:  https://youtu.be/Gch2ndb3t4Y

PRODUCT REVIEW 

As a ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. While camping at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, we tested the GCI Pod Rocker. 

https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker/ 

GCI Pod Rocker looks very sharp and is well constructed. However, it seems to be more suited for a heavier person. For a lighter person, the rocking motion takes some work, unless the chair is positioned on a downward sloping hill. Sets up quick and easy, has a little drink holder pouch, and it has nice storage case with shoulder strap. 

Pod Rocker in action:  https://youtu.be/MnZ4hCHwrXY

In summary, we loved camping at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, but with no water the stay was brief. However, adding this fun chair to our camping gear made our stay extra comfy!

1st come. Sites 2 and 3, 4 and 5 are good for a RV ours is a class A with tow 55ft. Also at the end of campground 13, 14, 15 are back in sites for a longer rig with a roundabout to turn and get back out. Picnic table and fire pit and bbq. No services, no fees for 14 days. No Atv, etc. Vaulted toilets. No services, there is a dumpster at the turn in from highway onto Upper Lake Road. 3 miles into Alamo is gas, great little grocery store and Chester's Chicken. Pritchett RV has dump station, propane fill. Camp host actively monitors the goings at this Campground. Fishing for bass, crappie, catfish. We were here May 2021, gnats and mosquitoes but only in late evening, fun to watch the bats hunting for their dinner.

There was no one around the entire night, and for the price, it was very nice with all the hookups for $13.00. The weather was windy and stormy in the distance, which made for excellent sleeping weather and a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Some cattle were in pens not far off, but otherwise, it was vacant. 

Alamo is a small Mormon town, so it felt safe even though we were the only people in the area. When it got dark, there was a quad driving in circles very close, and sometimes coming directly at us. I was a little nervous about being alone out there so I called 911, and they sent an officer out. By then, the quad had gone, but we felt safer because the officer said he would be nearby all night. 

The area has a large lake and a river running through it and is very lush and green in some places. They sell fishing supplies if you feel like fishing in the middle of the desert. :-) I highly recommend it as a nice stop-over.

The Sinclair gas station has a well-stocked grocery store, but they're a dry county so if you want a beer you need to go 7 miles up to Hiko and you'll be able to buy beer and wine.

We didn’t stay in the Primitive camping because it was $15 a night. We ended up staying on the road in a pull-off section.

The road was flooded and in very bad shape. The site was very spacious.

There looked to be a Pull-behind in one area with no vehicle. A resident i presume.

The mountain view was spectacular. Very cold as it snowed the day we decided to set up.

We heard a coyote just outside our camper around 3am. It’s howls echoed throughout the range.

Right next to a railroad track. There is no crossing so the trains don’t blow their whistles through there. We are used to trains as we have a home along the Mississippi river and about 10 yards away from BNSF railway. Felt like home.

I would come back for sure, in warmer months.