Gardnerville, NV is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Gardnerville is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Nevada camping adventure.
"Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east."
"Easy to see right off the road with plenty of campsites down either side of a nice dirt road. Rocky and steep road access to Scott’s lake, but easy camping on the edge of the valley."
"this location was the site of a fire several years ago, this means that many of the trees have been cleared making it a good site for starlink users like me."
"Several areas along Blue Lakes Rd offer dispersed camping."
"Standard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!"
"Great location. Not sure it would be a good location if it's been raining. May hear the occasional road noise"
"The first turn off has the best view with somewhat flat ground for a tent. Very rocky ground and a little windy so ground tents might be tough. RTT and campervans are perfect for this spot!"
"I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno."
"The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful, especially the sunset view."
"The Mormon Emigrant Trail can be accessed from there (East side, going West to Sly Park.) You can hear the Highway a little, but nonetheless very peaceful area."
"The coordinates listed on the app are simply for the entrance to the dispersed camping. There are infinite amounts of primitive roads to drive down and find camp."
"The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated."
TravelerScout camp is on the Carson river and within the tall cottonwoods. Camp in the shade or out in the open if it’s very windy as the trees can shed branches. Garbage collection and pit toilets. Nice trail along the River.
As of October 2023 the access road to scout camp was washed out. But there is dispersed camping on the terrace to the south.
GuideI have a truck. i got about a half mile in before the snow washed out the road. you can still hike in. high clearance and 4wd a must
TravelerThe coordinates listed on the app are simply for the entrance to the dispersed camping. There are infinite amounts of primitive roads to drive down and find camp. I stayed at N38.768811• W 120.238630° — on top of a peak that offered 360° views with sunrise and sunset right from my tent. At this specific sight, there are no overhead trees. Despite being primitive, the roads are well kept, even if you have a small SUV. It could get slightly tricky with a car. I stayed here for 7 days (10/31-11/6) and only saw one other person on the primivite roads. The above coordinates are about a 6 mile drive in from US50. You will see a campground on your right about 5 miles down when driving in, about a mile further down the road you will come up on the dirt road leading you up the mountain.
A couple of notes:
TravelerWe drove thru both Fort Churchill State Park Campground and Scout Camp near by. We were looking for a place to camp for the night. We have a 36ft class A with a tow. Fort Churchill Campground is not accessible if you love the paint job on your rig. For lower profile campers it would be ok. Narrow dirt roads with sage brush to scratch you and overhanging low tree branches to ruin solar and a/c.
Scout camp access is deeply rotted so our Class A couldn't safely get in there, otherwise there would have been plenty of space for us.
GuideThis spot is national forest, and overnight camping is not allowed. We had a knock from someone with the forest service the next morning who was very kind and let us know that overnight is not allowed.
Look up lakes and forest in this area on google — not many places allow dispersed camping
ScoutWe visited Lake Levitte, back in June 2021. I would recommend a high clearance vehicle, ad there are some technical sections. If you watch your line, you can make it. This location has become too popular by many YouTube videos. When we arrived, there were at least 7 other groups there. Location is beautiful and will definitely return in the future.
GuideStandard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!
TravelerCamped here for a night in early October. Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east. Most sites are obvious, with a driveway and stone fire ring. We like a more "dispersed" feel, but felt comfortable.
There are no services - bring all the water you will need and practice "leave no trace." This goes for your waste (human and animal) as well. I wish I could say that we didn't see any dog waste or "TP Flowers" but we did. Not a significant amount, but any is too much.
The place was pretty much full, but still good vibes and quiet neighbors. Very close to Hwy. 88, so road noise and campers coming in looking for a spot after dark. Gets quiet later in the evening.
Overall, a nice spot.
TravelerWe recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.
There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.
A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.
Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gardnerville, Nevada, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for adventurers seeking a more rustic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gardnerville, NV is Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping with a 3.9-star rating from 16 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 33 dispersed camping locations near Gardnerville, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
