Cathedral Gorge State Park offers campsites on flat, level gravel with electrical connections and hiking trails through unique clay formations. Located near Caliente, Nevada at 4,800 feet elevation, camping in this area features dramatic temperature shifts between day and night. The region's high desert terrain creates distinctive camping conditions with limited shade at many sites.
What to do
Explore slot canyons: Cathedral Gorge State Park provides access to narrow slot canyons and unique clay formations. "The caves were absolutely stunning. It was so much fun to play in all the slots and explore on your own. They aren't super long so it would take a lot to get lost," writes Hayley K. about Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for various desert wildlife around camp. "What we noticed right away, before we even started exploring the park, was that the wildlife was super tame. The jackrabbits and lizards came right into our campsite to check us out, and there were birds singing everywhere - not what we expected from a desert landscape," notes Tara S.
Fishing opportunities: Spring Valley State Park offers fishing in its reservoir. "The reservoir was maybe 4 mins walking. Was very close depending on where you were. Plenty of places to sit and fish. It was stocked with rainbow trout," reports Cassie M. about Horsethief Gulch Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Caliente maintain exceptionally clean restrooms. "Bathrooms are clean with a single shower. I had no problem with hot water," says Susan V. about Cathedral Gorge State Park. Similarly, at Kershaw-Ryan State Park, campers appreciate that "Restrooms were clean."
Dark night skies: The remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities. "This is BLM land and we did not stay at the campground but on a level spot a few miles away. Very dark area so lots of stars," notes Joel C. about Chief Mountain West.
Peaceful camping: Many campsites provide quiet surroundings. "Nice spot to relax no close highways. Nice hike around camp," shares Breanna B. about Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground. The pet-friendly campsites throughout the area tend to be less crowded, especially during weekdays.
What you should know
Availability patterns: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak times. "This campground is super busy in the fall. We arrived at approx 3 pm and there were only 3 sites available. Within the next 20 minutes, the entire campground was full," warns Gina J.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations. "It was cloudy night we arrived. Time of the year: July 13-16, 2022. Rain wasn't forecasted, but during the day is was about 75 and 67 at night," reports sunshine M. at Horsethief Gulch Campground.
Insects: Depending on season, bugs can be an issue. "Tons of flys at this time of the year. You must have bug repellent!" advises sunshine M. Similarly, at Chief Mountain South Campground, campers should prepare for seasonal insects, particularly in warmer months.
Tips for camping with families
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer larger areas for family setups. "The sites were level, groomed, and not a speck of trash to be found. Great Verizon service, no ATT," notes Nanine V. about Cathedral Gorge State Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Several areas have features children enjoy. "The nature hike to the slit canyons was super short and the kids loved exploring the caves!" shares Gina J. about her family's experience at Cathedral Gorge.
Wildlife encounters: Schedule time for wildlife viewing with children. "Every night the deer come down to graze in the field. So between 4-5pm i take the kids to watch them!" recommends Missy L. at Horsethief Gulch Campground.
Tips from RVers
Level parking: Many sites accommodate RVs with level spaces. "Campground is well maintained flat level gravel sites with some shade, power available," notes Donald J. about Cathedral Gorge Campground.
Pull-through options: At Chief Mountain South Campground, RVers appreciate the layout. "Easy access from highway. Several flat pull-through campsites," states brian S.
Hookup availability: Young's RV Park offers full services for larger rigs. "The owners of this campground are the best. This campground has plenty of shade trees and is full hookups," shares Ty A. about Young's RV Park.
