Best Tent Camping near Owyhee, NV

Very clean sites, I watched the camp host pull in right after someone left and make sure it was clean and the sand was raked for the next guest. Camp host stopped and talked with us, very friendly, ready to share his fishing tips. Clean bathrooms with sinks and the bathroom on the southern loop had showers! Water hydrants everywhere, with great tasting water. Easy pull through spots. Nice tables with shelter over it, fire ring, nice sandy camp area and trees planted to shade the each site. Popular campground, stayed full and people do like their generators which we did here a lot of. Good cell service with AT&T. No WiFi. Trash dumpster at the ranger station. Boat ramp with ample parking. Sanitary dumps with water if you need to refill your fresh tank or to use the spray in the black tank.

Camp Draw Trailhead is basically a free and easy place to kick off into the Jarbridge Wilderness Area. The area is under the authority of the U.S. Forest Service so no one really keeps tabs on when it opens and closes; this is the definition of dispersed. Due to the weather conditions in the area of the country, it can snow well into June, so be sure to keep an eye on the forecast.

Amenities include vault toilets and packed dirt parking areas. No water! Bring your own anticipating what you need depending on your plans and the season. The closest town is all the way back in Jarbridge.

This place is incredible and I’m so happy it’s reopened since the devastating Sugarloaf Fire some years back. Thank you BLM for cleaning up and repairing this special spot.

To get here, you literally just get off the highway in Elko and drive 70 (!) miles north. The end, it’s right there on the side of the road. No cities for miles around. You can imagine the dark sky and how awe inspiring it is in the middle of the night.

It’s a bit tricky to access in the winter, but one of the best places in the state to try your hand at ice fishing. The surrounding countryside is also great for snowmobiling! In the summer, you are free to do anything from fishing to canoeing to paddle boarding to water skiing.

Sites are basic but serviceable - about 20 sites with tables and fire rings. Plenty of trees to provide shade. There are vault toilets available and hand pumped water but no RV hookups. Super cheap at only $6 a night.

This Nevada State Recreation Area is in a beautiful very remote location, along the Wild Horse reservoir. There are two camping areas with about a dozen sites in each. Each site has a nice picnic table, rain / sunshade, and fire ring...and lots of sun for the solar panel. The bathroom facilities are the fanciest we've ever seen for $15 per night. Can you say, "Custom tiled shower?" Someone did a really nice job. And, the campground is kept emaculate.

Just below the campground is a boat ramp and parking lot and swimming beach area. The lake is great for boating, fishing and paddling. The winds we experienced would make it a great lake for sailing, and sailboarding. There are numerous hikes along forest roads in the area that will get you up into the mountains (and even up to an old gold mine), but not alot of "trail hikes." Mountain biking is a great option along these backroads.

The nearest town with services is Owyhee, gas and small grocery store, about 35 miles to the north. There was no cell service in the campground, but we found it on our hike up the mountain!

Big bend campground is a nice little oasis in the high desert. It was hunting season and the road was busy, campers all over in the campground (they were very friendly and quiet) and hunters camped in the area but it was still peaceful. Very scenic camp sites and cooler than the surrounding area. No camp host, talked to a few folks that frequent the campground and commented they have never seen a ranger there. 8 bucks self pay, very reasonable price. 2 bathrooms that need attention, had my own in the camper so I didn’t mind. Water hydrants throughout but not charged, no water available. Haul out your own trash and waste water. Remote so not cell service or WiFI. Great base camp to explore the surrounding public land. 11 miles of good dirt road to access it. A nice base camp to go visit Jarbidge, a must visit!