Carlin, Nevada sits at an elevation of 4,900 feet along the Humboldt River Valley. Surrounded by sagebrush-covered high desert terrain, this area experiences significant temperature fluctuations with summer days reaching 90°F while winter nights can drop well below freezing. Most camping options near Carlin center around designated RV parks rather than dispersed sites due to the harsh desert conditions.
What to do
Fishing at South Fork Reservoir: South Fork State Recreation Area offers excellent trout fishing opportunities at its 1,650-acre reservoir. At East Campground, campers appreciate the easy water access. "There are trails from camp to the water. Make sure to bring your fishing poles because chances are you will catch a good-sized trout. There is a daily limit of 1 fish, but this reservoir is known for trophy-sized bass and trout so that's all you need," shares one visitor.
Mountain viewing: The nearby Ruby Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for campers. "Beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. There isn't a good place to swim and the water inlet has a pretty strong smell. Great views and easy access," notes a reviewer at Southwest Shores.
Basketball and recreation: Some RV parks offer additional activities for guests who need a break from road travel. "There's some swings & a basketball hoop. I would probably stay again," mentions a camper who visited Clark Park.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness ranks high among camper priorities in this region. "The site was long and wide. The showers were spacious and top notch clean. There was a row for overnighters and a row for longer stays. It was super quiet and we had neighbors on either side," notes one Clark Park visitor.
Dog-friendly amenities: Many RV campgrounds near Carlin provide dedicated pet areas. "The dog 'park' is actually a huge fenced in lot and was very handy giving our 3 Aussies room to stretch their legs," reports a camper at Clark Park.
Heated amenities in cold months: Given Nevada's temperature extremes, heated facilities matter to visitors. At East Campground — South Fork State Recreation Area, one camper notes "Bathrooms are heated and clean. Showers are heated and it's own separate 'room'. Firewood at every campsite along with electrical hook-up."
What you should know
Wind exposure: Many camping areas lack natural wind protection. "CRAZY windy, but decent views. All of the camping spots are right on the water, no cover at all (this isn't really a good tent camping or RTT site)," warns a visitor to Coyote Cove at South Fork.
Self-registration options: Several RV parks operate self-check-in systems. At Elko KOA Journey, "Left before sunrise so I cannot attest to the cleanliness of the entire campground, but our site was level and tidy."
Seasonal closures: Despite information suggesting year-round operation, some areas close seasonally. "The website claims this campground is open 24/7 365 days a year. We just drove out there to find it is closed. About 2 miles down the road Coyote Campground was open," reports a camper regarding Coyote Cove.
Train noise: Railroad tracks run through the region, affecting some camping areas. "Train tracks behind the site with trains that go through all night (stayed in a nearby place with same problem)," notes a reviewer who considered staying at Elko KOA Journey.
Tips for camping with families
Budget options: Family camping can get expensive, but some Carlin area RV campgrounds offer economical rates. At Valley View RV Park, one camper shares: "Found this gem from a billboard that seemed too good to be true: $14/night for a spot with showers and laundry. We called to check it out and made a reservation. While it may not look like much, fourteen dollars was well worth the price."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with space for children to play. "Plenty of space for the kids to run around and bike around the campsite. Bathrooms were very clean and had hot showers. Was very quiet and great views of the mountains in the background," reports a family staying at East Campground.
Advance booking: During peak seasons, securing a reservation becomes important. At Iron Horse RV Resort, one visitor noted: "We came through at 10pm on a Saturday and they had zero vacancy. Looks like after hours registration is possible if they aren't booked up. I saw a hot tub area. Super sad we didn't make reservations ahead of time!"
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Many RV parks in the Carlin, Nevada area provide relatively level parking. A reviewer at Clark Park notes: "The sites are gravel and offer plenty of space between neighbors. We did have to level our rig just a bit. All hook ups worked great."
Truck stop alternatives: For quick overnight stays, some RVers choose truck stop facilities. At Loves RV Hookups Carlin NV, one camper shares: "The professionalism and kindness of the Loves staff can be experienced at any Loves location, as far as I can tell. Me and my family are on a 1 year road trip in an rv, and what we like most about Loves is; we know what to expect. If we can make it to a Loves, everything will be fine for the night."
Signal coverage: Cell service varies between rv campgrounds near Carlin. At Valley View RV Park, a visitor reports: "No WiFi, but our phone service was great," while another notes: "Good Verizon LTE. Poor T-Mobile."
