Cabins near Ely, Nevada provide accommodation options for travelers exploring Great Basin National Park and surrounding attractions. The region sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, creating distinct seasonal conditions with warm summer days and significantly cooler nights. Most cabin facilities in the area remain open year-round, though winter visitors should prepare for snow and potentially limited access to some recreational areas.
What to do
Trail access: Ely KOA offers direct trail access from the property grounds. "There are trails right from the grounds for walking, biking, quading," notes Susan N., who found this KOA to be the nicest campground during her Nevada travels.
Explore Cave Lake: Located a short drive from Whispering Elms Motel, Campground, & RV Park, this state park offers fishing and kayaking opportunities. One camper mentioned, "Take time to drive up and do the hikes and explore Lehman caves," recommending these activities during their stay.
Cave tours: Bates Family Ranch offers private cave tours on their property. "Took the cave tour that was so fun. Kirsten was a great tour guide and love hearing the stories of her family exploring it," shares one visitor who appreciated this unique experience.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities. "The bathrooms were very clean and the grounds immaculate. Easy to get to and the store well stocked. Staff was very helpful," reports Charlie G. about his stay at Ely KOA.
Varied accommodation options: Schellraiser offers multiple lodging choices. "Great place to stay with a variety of camping, tent, or tiny house options. We stayed in the camping area which offered a great sized gravel pad to setup our own tent," notes Skyler M.
Convenient laundry facilities: "Laundry was excellent: reasonably priced and very clean. Nice to have shared clothesline available for use," mentions Craig J. about Whispering Elms, highlighting an amenity particularly valuable for travelers on extended trips.
What you should know
Site quality varies: Within the same campground, site conditions can differ significantly. "Our site (24) is crappy. No trees, back by the car charger, motel. On the plus side, some sites have trees and look more like a campsite should," reports Anita J. about her experience at Whispering Elms.
Reservations essential: During peak periods, securing accommodations ahead of time prevents disappointment. "All spots were sold out on the weekend so make reservations early," advises Kenyon based on their June 2024 stay.
Cell service and connectivity: Connectivity varies by location and provider. "AT&T coverage was good, with 4 bars of 5G and speeds up to 8 MB/s. We had access all 3 western DISH satellites and Starlink had speeds up to 11 MB/s," reports Ray & Terri F., helpful information for remote workers considering cabin camping near Ely.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families traveling with children, Ely KOA provides recreational facilities. "My daughter (8) loved the playground. We were only there for one night on our way to Utah," shares Jennifer T., noting this amenity was a highlight for her family.
Budget for extra fees: Family camping often incurs additional costs. "They charge $6/night extra per adult, if you have more than two adults. Children are an extra $5/night," explains Jennifer T., providing useful information for families planning their budget.
Grass tent sites: Families camping with tents may appreciate more comfortable ground surfaces. "The campsite was padded with grass, which is much more comfortable than sleeping on dirt," notes Maggie S., highlighting this comfort feature at her KOA campsite.
Tips from RVers
Dust management: Several RV sites in the area can be dusty, requiring adaptations. "The grounds are mostly dirt and weeds and the worst part about staying here was indeed the dust that got kicked up everywhere," reports Reuben about Whispering Elms, suggesting visitors drive slowly to minimize dust.
Electrical compatibility: Check electrical connections before arrival. One RVer noted at Whispering Elms that "Electric doesn't work on 30 amp, had to use an adapter to use 50," highlighting the importance of having appropriate adapters.
Full hookup availability: For those requiring complete services, options exist near Great Basin. "Only option that had full hookups and allowed reservations (essential as we had our dog with us and wanted to be able to run AC, no dogs allowed on most of the trials in the NP)," explains LH, noting this practical benefit at Whispering Elms for pet owners.
