Camping options around Ely, Nevada range from developed sites to primitive desert locations at elevations between 6,400-8,000 feet. Situated in high desert terrain, this region experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with summer days reaching 90°F and nighttime temperatures dropping significantly. Cell service decreases rapidly outside town limits, with many wilderness areas having no connectivity at all.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: Several campgrounds provide access to hiking opportunities with diverse terrain. Ward Mountain Campground connects to "horse trails, bike trails, bike trails" with a camper noting it's "family fun" with "nice spot for a few days and close to a small town (Ely)." The juniper and pine forests create pleasant hiking environments.
Explore Great Basin National Park: Whispering Elms Motel, Campground, & RV Park serves as a convenient base for park exploration. "The highlight is that it is located across from the entrance to Great Basin National Park. What a location!" reports one visitor. The park offers extensive hiking, cave tours, and stargazing opportunities.
Fishing at Cave Lake: Lake View Campground provides water recreation options just 6 miles from the highway. "Fishing was awesome! Great hiking trails, except no printed maps of trails. Great mountain biking too, we did all three," mentions one camper. The lake is "native and stocked with rainbow and brown trout" according to another visitor.
What campers like
Affordable extended stays: Cost-conscious travelers appreciate long-term options in the area. Valley View RV & Mobile Home Park offers monthly rates with one reviewer noting, "We stayed 13 weeks in February--May 2018 (spouse is a Travel Nurse). They offer long term stays as well as daily travelers stopping for the evening. I believe the daily rate was around $35.00 and the monthly rate was $300 + electric."
Free camping alternatives: Budget-minded campers can find no-cost options. Sacramento Pass BLM Campground provides "a free campground, it's really nice! Each site is an established site, with a covered picnic table & firepit. Each site is spaced out also. There's 2 bathrooms & a dumpster." Another camper noted it was "very clean and well maintained."
Peaceful creek-side camping: Many visitors value the sound of running water at their campsite. "Enjoyable sites right next to the creek. Lots of space between sites. Clean outhouses," reports one camper about Upper Lehman Creek Campground. Another noted, "The sound of the creek lulled us to sleep."
What you should know
High elevation considerations: The region sits above 6,400 feet, affecting weather patterns and camping comfort. Upper Lehman Creek Campground sits at "about 7750 feet within Great Basin National Park" with one camper noting "the scenic road was not yet open, so we walked up it for a few miles to enjoy some long range views of the desert valley (Great Basin) below. The road is an 8% grade, so be ready to expand those lungs at 8000 feet!"
Remote location logistics: Services are minimal near many campgrounds. A camper noted, "This park is truly in the middle of nowhere, with almost no development close to the entrance. What that means is that you need to come prepared with groceries and supplies as not much is available in the tiny hamlet of Baker."
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be absent or weak outside Ely. At Sacramento Pass, "AT&T coverage was poor, with 0 to 1 bar of 5GE and speeds of only 0.3 MB/s." Some sites offer better options: "AT&T coverage was good, with 4 bars of 5G and speeds up to 8 MB/s" at Whispering Elms.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Ely KOA offers family-friendly facilities. "My daughter (8) loved the playground," shared one parent. Another noted the campground has "a pool, playground, so many family activities, a big grass area for the tent campers which is super cool."
Lake activities for kids: Cave Lake State Park provides water recreation options. One visitor mentioned, "This is a nice family spot to spend the weekend." The lake offers fishing opportunities, though parents should note one camper's warning: "When going in the water, beware of the mud! It'll suck you in."
Tent-friendly sites: Families looking for tent camping will find good options. "The campsite was padded with grass, which is much more comfortable than sleeping on dirt," noted one Lake View camper. At Ward Mountain, sites have "trees, camp fire ring, picnic table, and flat area for a tent."
Tips from RVers
Limited site levelness: RV parks near Ely, Nevada often present leveling challenges. Upper Lehman Creek Campground has "parking pads are not very level (to help with snow melt) in the upper campground, so it made it quite challenging to level our little camper -- probably the most challenging over the past 6.5 years!"
Full-hookup options: Border Inn Casino & RV Park provides necessary amenities for larger rigs. "The CG has 50A service with FHUs, sites are pretty level and most have a medium tree and picnic table," notes one full-time RVer in a 36-foot Class A. They also have "2 EV charging stations" for electric vehicles.
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. Lake View Campground has "water in some sites (no hookups) and picnic tables. There are nice toilets and fantastic showers. Would not recommend for large trailers as the CG road is a little tight."
