Fernley sits at 4,160 feet elevation in Nevada's high desert, about 30 miles east of Reno. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Local RV parks feature access to both urban amenities and outdoor recreation, with the Truckee River and Lahontan Reservoir providing water activities in this otherwise arid region.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: 10 minutes from Sparks Marina RV Park offers access to nearby trail networks. "This is the model RV Park, everything is laid out nicely, large spaces, pool, car shows, and a wonderful staff," notes Gary B., who appreciated the park's convenient location for outdoor activities.
Fishing opportunities: Pyramid Lake Marina and RV Park provides direct lake access for anglers seeking the unique Lahontan cutthroat trout. "We stayed for 3 days on the beach next to the picnic leantos. We were the only ones camping on the beach. Very quiet. The beach was very clean and orderly," reports Denis J., highlighting the uncrowded fishing access.
Winter skiing: 75 minutes from Carson City at Lake Tahoe resorts. A Silver City RV Resort visitor noted, "With our binoculars we could see skiers at the top of Heavenly Mountain ski area!" This makes Fernley area RV parks suitable for winter activities.
Visit Virginia City: Historic mining town 30 minutes away. "From here we visited the rib cookoff in Sparks, Civil war days in Virginia City and several other areas during our stay," mentions Les W. at Gold Dust West RV Park, describing the convenient location for area attractions.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Most parks in the region prioritize cleanliness. "Exceptionally clean facilities," noted a Gold Dust West RV Park reviewer. "The bathrooms are clean with 4 showers, 4 toilets, and 4 sinks, all clean and tidy," adds Trena G.
Convenient highway access: Parks near Fernley provide easy on/off access to major roads. "Very convenient off 395 and friendly staff and very clean facilities. Paved sites and picnic areas," reports Lai La L. at Bordertown Casino RV Resort, emphasizing how simple it is to access the park.
Security features: Several RV parks near Fernley maintain secure environments. At Gold Ranch Casino & RV Resort, a visitor appreciated the "good security, private bathrooms and showers, pool and hot tub, very clean. Access to trails."
Laundry facilities: Essential for longer stays, most parks offer laundry rooms. "The laundry room is decent size with 8 washers and 8 dryers, everything is in working order," notes a Gold Dust West Casino RV Park guest.
What you should know
Age restrictions: Some parks limit older RVs. "There is NO mention of an age restriction on their website. I specifically searched it before I made the reservation. But they WILL take the reservation online, take your money, then call to check the age of your rig," warns Leah T. about Sparks Marina RV Park's 10-year rule.
Overflow lots: During peak periods, expect potential overflow parking. At Shamrock RV Park, "They didn't disclose to me that the overflow is just a parking lot where their warehouse is. There's no sewer hookup; you can dump at the end. You have to share the water hose with other RVs during your stay," explains Summer C.
Seasonal rates: Winter typically offers lower pricing. "We appreciated reduced winter rates after October 2 ($40 for a back-in site)," notes one Gold Ranch Casino & RV Resort visitor.
Highway noise levels: Traffic noise varies by location and site. "Road noise can be loud at times but did die down in the evening," mentioned a Silver City RV Resort visitor about highway proximity.
Tips for camping with families
Check age restrictions for amenities: Not all facilities welcome children. "Kids must be 18 to enjoy the spa even if accompanied by adults, had a great club house with a pool table but kids must be 14 to play," observed a Sparks Marina RV Park visitor.
Verify family-friendly atmosphere: Some parks cater more to adults. "A rude cranky old lady will yell at your kids for playing on the grass. They won't let you stay too long if have kids. This is NOT a family friendly rv park," warns Emily R. about Bordertown Casino RV Resort.
Consider Pyramid Lake for beach access: Offers space for children to play. "Camping here was great. Many different spots from able to use the marina or at the boat launch still on pavement or just right down on the beach next to the water," describes Juan, noting the variety of camping options.
Bring shade structures: Limited natural shade at most parks. "Only biggest issue is there is no trees. So no shade. Bring your easy ups," advises a Pyramid Lake Marina visitor.
Tips from RVers
Level sites common: Most RV parks near Fernley feature flat camping pads. "All camper pads are paved and although the park is on a slope, all sites appear level," notes a Gold Ranch Casino & RV Resort visitor.
Watch for sewer connection challenges: Design varies between parks. At Bordertown Casino RV Resort, "the sewer connections are slightly recessed, centered in concrete bowls; it was a challenge to get a good connection with a right-angle connector."
Cell service varies by provider: Coverage strength differs by location. "AT&T service was fair with 2-3 bars of 5G and speeds up to about 20 MB/s. The CG WiFi was just ok, depending on your needs, with speeds up to 0.5 MB/s," reports Ray & Terri F. at Bordertown.
Internal road navigation: Some parks have tight turns. "The internal roads are a little narrow, although not too bad, but some of the turns are rather tight," warns a Bordertown Casino RV Resort reviewer about maneuvering larger rigs.
