Camping opportunities near Austin, Nevada include dispersed sites, established campgrounds, and hot springs across high desert terrain at 6,600 feet elevation. Weather can shift dramatically with summer highs of 85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Most Forest Service campgrounds operate from May through November, with limited services available during winter months.
What to do
Hot spring soaking accessible year-round: Spencer Hot Springs offers primitive camping with natural hot pools reaching temperatures of 97-107°F. "The upper tub was not warm enough for me 97°. The lower however was 107° which I loved," notes one visitor to Spencer Hot Springs.
Hiking at high elevations: Kingston Campground sits in a steep canyon offering access to mountain trails. According to a camper: "Access to the campground is via a 2.5 mile long single lane dirt road. There are a few small wider spots to squeeze past oncoming traffic, but locals tend to travel fast, so be vigilant," reports a visitor at Kingston.
Petroglyphs viewing with minimal crowds: The interpretive trail at Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area provides access to ancient rock art. "The petroglyphs themselves were kind of an afterthought. We didn't really see many & were slightly underwhelmed. But the cliffs & Rocks were pretty beautiful & colorful," notes one camper.
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: Many campers appreciate the seclusion found at campgrounds along Highway 50. "The sites are pretty well isolated and with the creek flowing fast, the background noise easily washed away the sounds of other campers," reports a visitor at Kingston Campground.
Creek-side camping locations: Big Creek Campground offers sites adjacent to flowing water. "Campsites backup to big creek which is nice to sit and listen to the sound of the water rushing. Not much shade and there were lots of Mormon crickets roaming the campsite but otherwise a great overnight spot," mentions a camper at Big Creek Campground.
Free camping with basic amenities: Hickison Petroglyph offers no-cost camping with essential facilities. "This free site was better than most state parks! Drive in spots with picnic tables and fire pits, clean bathrooms, and cool petroglyphs. Be sure to walk to the top of the ridge at sunset for some incredible views," shares a visitor at Hickison Petroglyph.
What you should know
Limited water availability: Many campgrounds lack potable water. "The campsite are small and fairly secluded for how closely they're packed. Most of the pull ins are small and not to level. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site with out house and trash receptacles close by. Campsites in the sun have shades over the picnic tables. Petroglyph site nearby, no water available," notes a visitor at Hickison Petroglyph.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. "This is a small campground up a canyon with a pretty little creek. The road is narrow and it would be an issue to meet someone on the road pulling your RV," shares a camper at Big Creek Campground.
Renovation closures affect planning: "This campground is currently closed for renovations. It will reopen when the work is complete. There is no known date for reopening," reports a recent visitor to Bob Scott Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: Big Creek provides opportunities for kids to wade. "We love going out here. Gets busy on holiday weekends but decent during the week. Tons of trails to explore on dirt bikes and quads. A lot of horse trails. The campsite is against a little creek and has a vault toilet," notes a visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Spencer Hot Springs offers wild burro sightings at dusk. "At sunset, kick back in your chair or in the hot spring and watch and listen to the wild burrows come in from the desert to drink and graze," advises a camper.
Beginner-friendly hiking: Short trails at Hickison provide manageable outings for kids. "Lovely little spot just off America's loneliest highway route 50 with plenty of great camp each with a fire ring and several with shade structures. Bathrooms are pit toilets and there is no water, but this is a great little spot," shares a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
RV length restrictions: Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "We towed our 30 foot bumper pull behind our full size truck (49 feet tip to tail) and made it but this is right at the limits for maneuvering. There are several sites that will fit a 30 foot trailer. 35 feet seems like a stretch to me, but proceed at your own risk," notes a Kingston Campground visitor.
Uneven parking pads: Leveling can be challenging at most rv parks near Austin, Nevada. "The sites were close together, slope to back so it was hard to get the sewer to flow to the inlet, had to add blocks to back levelers to establish fall. Price was good for the site," shares a camper at Austin RV Park.
Limited dump stations: Plan waste disposal carefully. "It is a small first come first serve campground right off of the road. We arrived at 6pm and found it unexpectedly busy. We were fortunate enough to get the last site! We could hear every car that passed in the night but other than that it is a great place to stop at the end of a long day," reports a Bob Scott Campground visitor.
