Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Gerlach, NV

Free/dispersed camping. Camped here in May 2020. Right at Black Rock hot spring and then in the middle of the playa. Camping near the hot springs (Trego or Black Rock, there’s also Soldier Meadows) is typical dispersed camping. Camping on the playa is unlike anything else. It’s a vast stretch of packed desert, 20x30 some miles. If you leave your camper/rig on the playa, make sure you save GPS coordinates, or you may have trouble finding it. Also, if driving on the playa, stay away from darker areas as there may be water/mud. Easy to get stuck. Lots of hiking trails, rock hounding, emigrant and Native American history. No services of any kind. Bring what you need. No cell service. Nearest town/supply is Gerlach. Spectacular night sky. Unique, amazing place. Not for everyone. Can’t wait to go back.

Cool BLM dispersed camping in the Black Rock Desert. We had no trouble getting to this spot in our 26ft class c, but saw some dried out ruts in the ground so we played it safe and stuck to the edges. 

Easy access from the town of Gerlach. 

This area is just wide open, no shade, no greenery, nowhere to hide from the incessant wind. We had cell reception here, though the Verizon phone was in roaming mode in this area. 

Fun place to visit but the vast open flatness and the wind made us move on. Watch for the muddy ground, it can look deceptively dry and then you’ll find yourself sunk and stuck!

Brilliantly quiet and peaceful campground. Hardly ever more than a few campers, never full. Located 3miles down a gravel road, drivable by even a compact car. Cottonwood and Willow trees surround small stream that runs through the entire campground. Easy access to OHV trails nearby. Each site has tables and a fire pit. Also, 2 contraptions to hang hunted animals. Spotty Verizon service, no ATT reception. Vault toilet bathroom very clean but smelly!! This is a FREE campground, and in order to keep it that way, we must collectively treat it well by following Leave No Trace principles. There are trash receptacles on site, but hunters are instructed to take animals remains and dump OUTSIDE of campground.

Mixed review here. It’s my understanding that this “campground” is the result of an agreement between the State and a landowner- basically the state allowed the landowner to build a reservoir and in exchange the landowner lets the public camp next to the lake.

While I never met the landowner, I got the impression from their signs/warnings/rules at the gate that they don’t really like this arrangement anymore. Really, name me another campground where it’s against the rules to pee on the ground? Whatever….. 

In addition, about 20 minutes after we parked a fellow drove by on an ATV (gave us a wave). I can’t help but think we were being watched - or at least there was a camera aimed at the entrance gate. If either was the case - not cool. 

As for the camping- there were no real sites on the south end of the lake, rather just a few fire rings that you could pull up to. No water. No privy. But it was free - so you get what you pay for. 

The reservoir is a true oasis - lots of birds and plenty of fish jumping. Bugs weren’t bad for us in October. The night sky was incredible.

This was my third trip to the Playa, but the first time I went without there being an official event.
My favorite part was the trip to hot springs. They were amazing. 

We camped in the middle of the Playa a good ways away from the other people that were there. 

Suggestions:

1. Bring 2 gallons of water for every day you are there.
2. Bring along your own bathroom facilities!
3. Pack out everything you pack in, more if you find anything laying around. 
4. Bring LOOOOOONG stakes for anything you are tying down to the playa. The winds can be incredible!

this site was much better than expected. it's about 2-3 miles off the 395 and has a variety of spaces. most of the sites are pull-through but if you have a bigger rig you might have a bit of a problem turning around at the end of the campground. It looked like a dead end and didn't want to risk it. even though there is a bubbling creek next to the campground it was great that we didn't have any bugs or mosquitos. I also talked to a group of contractors staying at the site that it can get busy when they (and 2-3 other teams) use it as home base to clear fire breaks around the 395 during the summer

Words cannot explain this enchanted place. Located just outside of Reno , this is where the locals play. With the most beautiful sunny, and sunsets I've ever seen this week is the only lake in the world you can catch lahontan cutthroat trout. October 1st opening day. About 11 dollars a night to tent camp , or bring an r.v. for your glamping experience. The Paiute Native Americans reside here , and I have a wonderful relationship with them volunteering picking up the area in my spare time . This is Americas best kept secret. If you camp here, make sure you leave it clean when departing . Lots to do here.

This place is everything we look for when boondocking. It's quiet, open, easy to get to with our class c, flat(ish), cell service, and places to hike/walk around. There was nobody else around when we stayed here for 2 nights in May.

The road is nearby but barely visible and you can hardly hear the cars. The rocks (tufas) are really neat and fun to climb.

There's absolutely no shade so the sun makes it feel hotter than it is. And the wind comes through somewhat unpredictably so we couldn't keep our awning out.

It's surprisingly clean, I mean there's some trash which is to be expected, but not huge amounts of it.

There are a couple of little narrow roads you can take to find a more secluded spot, but I wouldn't attempt it unless your vehicle can handle it. There are a couple of random big dips to get past, and really there aren't very many camping opportunities past the big giant open area by the rocks. The big main area is huge and would easily fit several campers.

Great place to boondock!