Near Ely, Nevada, high-desert glamping and camping options sit at elevations around 6,000-7,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night across all seasons. The region's mountains and valleys offer extensive BLM land access for both established campgrounds and dispersed camping, with several locations providing direct trail connections to hiking and ATV routes.
What to do
Mountain biking on local trails: Baker Creek Campground offers excellent access to trails right from camp. "There are trails running off from the campground so no driving is necessary," notes Liv L., who appreciated the convenience of hiking without relocating.
Creek access for cooling off: Stay near running water during hot summer days for natural cooling. Thomas B. from Baker Creek Campground shared, "Many of the sites (including ours - #2) are located within toe-dipping distance of its chilly clear waters."
Stargazing at high elevation: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night viewing conditions. At Bird Creek Campground, campers enjoy remarkable celestial views. "Absolutely no noise and I was there on a Saturday and Sunday. Quite cool at night," reports Anne E., highlighting the peaceful environment for stargazing.
Wildlife watching: The area hosts diverse wildlife including wild turkeys and marmots. Michael J. observed, "Very nice campground with ample wild life to keep you entertained, turkeys roaming through camp, roosting in trees, and yellow bellied marmots eating the road for its salt content."
What campers like
Private camping spots: Cleve Creek Campground provides secluded sites with natural features. Alison noted, "This little gem sits on the year round Cleve Creek. We camped here in October and the creek was still flowing strong. Small campground nestled among cottonwoods with 12 sites."
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers at some glamping sites near Ely receive consistent praise. At Ely KOA, Deborah B. shared, "The bathroom was clean and showers clean and hot. Nice quiet campground and also has a nice country store."
Convenient town access: Camping options balance natural settings with proximity to services. Jennifer T. commented on Ely KOA: "They have a decent little store with drinks, snacks, and novelty items. My daughter (8) loved the playground. We were only there for one night on our way to Utah."
Unique lodging options: Beyond standard tent sites, the area offers diverse accommodation types. Schellraiser provides multiple options as Skyler M. explains: "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."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons due to elevation. Hallie from Bird Creek Campground advised, "With the high elevation the nights did get chilly even though the days were warm."
Limited cell service: Be prepared for disconnection in more remote areas. Bring offline maps and entertainment options for evenings.
Water availability varies: Some locations have seasonal restrictions. Greebly M. at Baker Creek noted, "Vault toilets, no water during our stay (June '26). It's sits above a mile elevation, so the temps were decent at night, with gorgeous night sky views."
Limited provisions nearby: Valley View RV & Mobile Home Park visitor Karen M. advises, "Best place to eat RACKSBar and Grill there is a nice grocery store Ridleys," but recommends planning ahead as shopping options are limited.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide dedicated play areas for children. At Ely KOA, Brittney C. observed, "This place is great it has a pool, playground, so many family activities, a big grass area for the tent campers which is super cool."
Dog-friendly options: Several campgrounds welcome pets, including some with dedicated dog areas. Elaine V. shared about Ely KOA, "The surprises for us: no pool (not that we wanted one), adorable neighbor goats, and two dog parks areas (one with grass). Our dog loved the dirt dog park."
Cabin options for temperature control: When glamping near Ely, Nevada with children, consider cabins for climate protection. Deborah B. found at Ely KOA, "I stayed in one of the cabins for 4 days and it was great. It has air and heat along with a small fridge. The porch had a nice swing to enjoy!"
Check site configurations: Some campgrounds have challenging tent placement. Deborah C. warned about Baker Creek, "Our particular campsite #5 was not the best. The place to set up our tent was very small and sloping down."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Multiple RV parks provide complete services. Susan N. reported, "We have been roaming around Nevada for a week now and this is the nicest campground we have stayed at. New bathrooms, clean, friendly and helpful staff and trees!"
Level site considerations: Terrain can vary significantly between campgrounds and individual sites. Robert R. noted at Ely KOA, "Overall, the place was clean and quiet, sites were level, and the front desk lady was so friendly! I only stopped here for one night, but would stop again if I was in the area."
Dust management: The desert environment creates dust challenges on gravel roads. "They could have used some dust control on the gravel roads as well," mentions Robert R., something to consider when positioning RVs and outdoor equipment.
Road quality variations: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. Kristin S. shared about Ely KOA, "It's a KOA Journey, so, close to a 'major' road (RT 93), which was very quiet despite proximity."
