Best Tent Camping near Gerlach, NV

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.

This sight is great for boon-docking campers; it has maintained camp sights, picnic tables, and a few fire rings. A short walk from the camp sights there is a vault toilet that’s maintained during the dryer months. Great fishing, stargazing, and kayaking. But be prepared for no cell service at the campground, however about 2 miles south on the main road will provide 2 bars of service for those with Verizon. Also pack lots of food, water, and fuel as the closest gas is in Alturas and or Standish Litchfield “45 miles north or to the south on hwy 395.” I wouldn’t recommend swimming in the lake as the lake has been know to have very small leaches sad for swimming but great for fishing. Don’t forget to check your local fire restrictions and obtain a fire permit before heading out.

I came here for two nights with some friends at the beginning of summer. The campground is about 45 minutes - 1 hour from the road, and you will need some decent ground clearance to make it there. Once you arrive, there are several camp sites along the main road, some featuring grills and picnic tables. There is a well-maintained vault toilet, and when I went it was stocked with TP (but you should probably bring some just in case lol).

While we were not the only group there, there were only at most two or three other groups and plenty of room to not have to bump into each other. Most people seemed to come for the fishing and leave before the night. There are also a good amount of ants and flying insects, so be sure to bring your bug spray!

We went during new moon, so when night fell it got crazy dark! Be sure to bring a headlamp or lantern. The view of the night sky is the best I have yet to see, and it seems like there are shooting stars every few minutes. It is also easy to spot satellites and other interesting things in the sky. I may consider making the 10 hour trip here again, as the views of the stars are that good.

Due to the remote location, be prepared to have everything you need before heading there. 

Co Rd 502 is narrow but paved (Mail Rte Rd). 12 miles

Co Rd 506 Tuledad Rd is dirt, unimproved and has some washboard areas. Drive slow and you will be ready for the culvert crossing that have washed out a bit but at high speed can cause damage to your vehicle. 11 miles

Driving slow is needed for several reasons. 1. to avoid hitting poor road areas too fast and damaging your rig. 2. to spot and take pictures of wildlife 3. Basic respect to keep road from degrading further. 

We did not come across another person while driving in or out or during our stay at the campground. 

Tables in each site and fire rings, clean from trash. Vault toilets were also clean. 

Reservoir was down but still had enough water for the birds to enjoy. 

Excellent for night sky viewing. 

We have a 26' toy hauler fifth wheel, it has high ground clearance and upgraded suspension so we would had no difficulty with the road, when we come back with it. This was just a recon trip. 

Downside: this is surrounded by public land, Dodge Ranch so you can't explorer off the road. Makes the use limited to light weight boat, kayak or paddle board. If you like to just go to camp, sit and relax, the you can certainly do that. 

Advantage: Evidence of lots of wildlife, we saw pronghorn antelope on the way, a couple of foxes and plenty of birds of prey. No people

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!

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.