Top Free Dispersed Camping near Ely, NV

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Ely? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Ely's most popular destinations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ely, NV (12)

Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Ely

18 Reviews of 12 Ely Campgrounds


  • UThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    Oct. 16, 2024

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    FREE. NIce alternative to Great Basin NP which runs FULL

    On the whole, it's avg. as far as campgrounds go

    Great Basin was full, so went west on 6 about 8 miles and pulled into dispersed campground where there were some covered picnic tables at sites around a large central pond, following road up to equestrian corral and were several more sites. Stayed in#7 which was exposed, but the last one available so we took it. Free. Pit toilets are dirty but don't stink and trash has been emptied. Nice views to Wheeler Peak and out across UT

  • UThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    Oct. 16, 2024

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    Clean, good alternative to Great Basin which tends to run FULL

    FREE! On the whole, avg., 3 stars. Not many developed BLM sites around.

    Great Basin was full, so went west on 6 about 8 miles and pulled into dispersed campground where there were some covered picnic tables at sites around a large central pond, following road up to equestrian corral and were several more sites. Stayed in#7 which was exposed, but the last one available so we took it. Free. Pit toilets are dirty but don't stink and trash has been emptied. Nice views to Wheeler Peak and out across UT

  • Amber The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gravel Pit BLM Dispersed Campsite
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Gravel Pit BLM Dispersed Campsite

    Great Spot if you're going to Lehman Caves

    I enjoyed camping here, and I could see it being a great spot for a large group. As the description said, it's a working gravel pit. ... and the BLM got to work at 8am the morning after I arrived. So, be aware of that. There is no shoulder on the highway, so you can't really pull over to check road or flood conditions before pulling into the pit. In my case it was totally fine, clear and flat, but I didn't really enjoy going in blind.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Free single NF-589 Dispersed Campsite
    Jul. 27, 2024

    Free single NF-589 Dispersed Campsite

    Beautiful single site on a rough dirt road

    First off I'll start by saying the "Get directions" location on this app is incorrect AND the GPS will take you down a private, gated, dirt road to get there. Also, there is only ONE campsite on this road.

    When you set your GPS for this location the GPS will take you down Lehman Caves Road which is also highway 488 into the national park. About halfway down this road from the small town of Baker, you will be told turn left on Rowland Ranch Road. IGNORE THIS. Rowland Ranch Road is a gated dirt road on private property. Instead continue down Lehman Caves Road until you get to a left on Baker Creek Road. I have attached a picture of detailed instructions of this ^ in my review.

    Baker Creek Road is a maintained road within the national park boundaries but is hard pack gravel with some washboards along it. Just a little ways down Baker Creek Road, you will come to NF-589. This road starts as a Y split. Your first left is a foot path only with no camping signs in it. Directly behind it is the vehicle accessible entrance. Enter at your own risk! This OHV road is narrow and rough with decent sized rocks. There are very little opportunities to turn around and I would strongly recommend AGAINST entering with a two-wheel drive vehicle or a trailer. With that being said, I managed to squeeze down this road with my stock 2015 Toyota Tacoma towing a 12x6 enclosed trailer. My truck made it no problem without 4wd but I was at the limit of capability with my trailers ground clearance, width, and length. I also pre-scouted the singular campsite on this road with my off-road motorcycle to make sure nobody was there first. The only way for me to turn around with my trailer on NF-589 was to use the campsite I stayed in. Just into the entrance of the road you'll come across a downed tree across the road. Don't worry, somebody remade the road to the left going around it so continue on. About halfway towards the campsite you'll come across a small picket sign on the left side of the road that marks the national park boundaries. The campsite is on your left roughly another 500ft after that, just barely outside the national park boundary. There are some good wash outs almost a foot deep and 6-8in stones in the road. My 6-ft wide trailer, which is slightly wider than my truck, was touching trees on both sides for most of the way down.

    I'll say it again, there is only one campsite here. The GPS coordinates do not bring you to a campsite so follow my instructions instead. This campsite is tight as you first turn in but opens up in the middle about 20ft into it. It also has some flat open areas for tents just a few feet away from main area. The site is not level and on the slope of a hill. There are also some large rocks similar in size to the ones in the trail on the way in all through the site. My 4in levelers for my rooftop tent were not tall enough to counter this slope. I ended up having to use large boulders and back over them to level my truck so I could sleep. There's nothing here but a fire ring, that includes bathrooms of any kind. You are just in the middle of the woods.

    I would love it if people would stop having glass bottle parties around campfires. When did ruining fragile campsites become the new cool? I always try to leave a free campsite better than I found it. I spend time cleaning up other people's trash, rebuilding fallen fireplaces, and sweeping off cement patios when present. I would greatly appreciate it if you would do the same for others.

    Anyways, I was here for 2 nights. The views are slightly blocked by the trees but the trees are fairly short. If you can get above the trees like I could by sitting on the roof of my trailer when the sun went down, the views are actually stunning at this campsite. This campsite is almost walking distance to the Lehman Caves and just a few minutes drive to most other attractions here like the scenic drive to the Alpine Lakes at the base of Wheeler Peak. The campsite is completely silent but there is a home about a half mile through the woods to the North towards Lehman Caves Road so please be respectful with music volume even though it may feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Old 93 BLM - Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Old 93 BLM - Dispersed Camping

    Well maintained

    Nice flat gravel camping spots. The road is not difficult at all. Small fee to camp but comes with a well maintained spot, fire pit, and grate for cooking.

    There was a nice creek behind us and lots of cows roaming.

  • Shannon D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    May. 18, 2024

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    Stealing campsites

    Free BLM numbered designated sites. We read other online reviews about people making a camp site wherever they want and this happened during our stay. We witnessed this (see the picture) happen to our neighbor. Thursday evening a single male with CA tags comes flying thru the campground and whipped into our neighbor's campsite and pulls right in front of their picnic table with his truck and 5th wheel trailer. Our neighbor came outside (as did several other neighbors wondering what this guy was doing) and confronts the guy. He asks him "you're not going to park there are you?!?". The guy tells him "yes, I need to watch TV" and proceeded to pull out his satellite dish and plop it down. Our neighbor says "this is my site and you're blocking my view." The guy told him he didn't care and set up anyways. Meanwhile there were 2 other RVs camping at the entrance waiting for a campsite to open up. In 7 years of RVing the entire country I have never witnessed such rude and entitled behavior before! The town of Ely for supplies had some of the rudest characters we've come across as well which was very surprising for a small town. This campground might have been a hidden gem at one time but with too much Internet publicity it's very busy now. Constant cars coming and going at all hours especially racing to the upper level of the campground. It probably would've been more peaceful sleeping at one of the highway pullouts.

  • Peter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    Nov. 26, 2023

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    Perfect

    Needed a place to overnight in my RTT, and this worked out great. Pulled in, was the only one there so had my choice of spots. Had a restful night and hit the road in the morning. No fuss! Not sure if this is what I understand to be dispersed camping, as it’s a first come first served campground with tables, fire rings and pit toilets, just no water.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Garnet Hill Camp
    Nov. 19, 2023

    Garnet Hill Camp

    Great overnight!

    We loved this spot for an overnight. We drove our 25’ RV up and found a perfect spot. It snowed over night and we woke up to a gorgeous sunrise. We navigated the gravel road just fine, even with light snow.

  • Grant W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    Sep. 10, 2023

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    Great spot

    Make sure you take the road up the hill out of the lower camp spots to the upper area. To this day this is one of my favorite spots. Worth staying a few days, we were there in late April and the weather was great.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Garnet Hill Camp
    Jul. 30, 2023

    Garnet Hill Camp

    Garnet Hill

    Been camped here for 10 days and has been a good place to be Not many camp sites along the 3 mile dirt road to get here Weather and sunsets have been awesome

  • Jeff K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Old 93 BLM - Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 2, 2023

    Old 93 BLM - Dispersed Camping

    Forest Service Down the Road

    About 10mi north of Ely. Map will take you to BLM off the highway. However, there are 4 forest service designated campgrounds on the road across the highway.

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Garnet Hill Camp
    Jun. 27, 2023

    Garnet Hill Camp

    A night passing thru

    A 4 mile gravel road mostly up hill. We drove our 25 ft class C without a problem. Many places to camp with minimal leveling. Great views of the terrible Kennecot Mine Scars!

  • Mike G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Garnet Hill Camp
    Jun. 19, 2023

    Garnet Hill Camp

    Lots of secluded space and cell coverage

    It it about 3 miles on a dirt road to the trailhead. As you are approaching the trailhead, there are spur roads with some good turnouts to park. There were 3 other cars in the area overnight, but I felt I had the place to myself with the junior and pine providing shelter. I am not sure how a take would fit, but there are some turnouts for a small trailer. ATT cell coverage was decent.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    Jun. 10, 2023

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    Overnight Stop

    Very nice BLM camp area. Each site has tent pad, picnic table, and sun shade. Mostly level for van camper. Vault toilets ok, not pristine. Camp is 2 miles East of the summit. We arrived 4:30 on Friday evening several sites available. Quiet.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sacramento Pass BLM Campground
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Sacramento Pass BLM Campground

    Nice, well kept, free CG

    We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We stayed in the second site for one night in late May. The CG is very clean and well maintained. Although, the CG is small, 8 total sites, 2 or 3 were available when we arrived at 3:30pm. The sites also have nice separation. 

    AT&T coverage was poor, with 0 to 1 bar of 5GE and speeds of only 0.3 MB/s. We had access all 3 western DISH satellites and Starlink had speeds were up to 11 MB/s.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from North Pinnacle Campsites — Great Basin National Park
    Jul. 29, 2022

    North Pinnacle Campsites — Great Basin National Park

    Spacious site in full view of road

    This camping location is listed as North Pinnacle on the National Geographic map of the park, other maps show the location but do not provide a name for this camping location. This is the third camping area along Great Basin National Park's Snake Creek Road. Located on the north side of the road, this campsite is not clearly marked like the others on the road, it is marked only by a small green tent sign. Campsite consist of a single very roomy campsite with plenty of room in the area for multiple tents. Parking is a small pull off from the road. At most you might get two cars in to the parking spot. The camping area is right along the road with no trees or other plants blocking the view from the road. Site has a picnic table, trash can and metal fire ring. This is a dry campground. This is the only campsite along the road to not have a vault toilet.

     Be warned, the information on the parks website is a bit misleading. Road is not for RV's or trailers. Just after you enter the park on Snake Creek Road a sign clearly indicated no RV's or trailers past the roads first pull out. Road is a narrow single lane road for almost all of its length. Camp site is just off a very dusty road, but road travel is slow with little traffic. No fee to use this site.



Guide to Ely

Camping near Ely, Nevada, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and unique campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot to pitch a tent or a place to park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails around, especially near Wheeler Peak Campground. One camper mentioned, "The campground was beautiful with tall trees and massive views of the mountains."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Lake View Campground, are near lakes where you can fish. A visitor shared, "This campground is just the best spot! A minute walk to the lake and spacious camping sites."
  • Exploring Historic Sites: Check out the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. A reviewer noted, "The ovens are fascinating. The campsite is a little way back down the road then left up the other side of the tiny valley."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Elk Flat Campground — Cave Lake State Park, one reviewer said, "This was a stopover... a very quiet and beautifully maintained campground."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Ely KOA remarked, "The front desk lady was so friendly!"
  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Sacramento Pass Recreation Area offer breathtaking views. One camper said, "Great views of Wheeler Peak, good hiking trails."

What you should know:

  • Elevation: Some campgrounds, like Wheeler Peak Campground, are at high elevations. A visitor warned, "It does get chilly at that elevation, so bring appropriate clothes."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have water or electric hookups. A camper at Sacramento Pass Recreation Area noted, "There was a bit of noise being right on the highway... but the views were great."
  • Dusty Roads: Some campgrounds have gravel roads that can get dusty. A reviewer at Elk Flat Campground mentioned, "They could have used some dust control on the gravel roads."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. Lake View Campground has "lots of hiking in the area" and is great for families.
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor toys. A camper at Ward Mountain Campground said, "Great trails for hiking and biking."
  • Be Prepared for Wildlife: Keep an eye on kids and pets. A visitor at Sacramento Pass Recreation Area noted, "Wildlife everywhere!!!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have dirt roads that can be tricky. A reviewer at Garnet Hill Camp mentioned, "We drove our 25 ft class C without a problem."
  • Look for Big Rig Friendly Spots: Campgrounds like Ely KOA are big rig friendly, making it easier for larger RVs to navigate.
  • Bring Your Own Water: Many campgrounds don’t have water hookups. A camper at Ward Mountain Campground reminded, "Bring your own water and other support needs."

Camping near Ely, Nevada, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ely, NV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ely, NV is Garnet Hill Camp with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ely, NV?

    TheDyrt.com has all 12 dispersed camping locations near Ely, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.