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Best Tent Camping near Panaca, NV

93 Reviews

Primitive tent campsites dot the high desert landscape surrounding Panaca, Nevada, with options ranging from established sites to dispersed camping opportunities. Ranch Camp in Spring Valley State Park offers tent sites with vault toilets in a secluded setting, while Chief Mountain West provides drive-in tent camping with basic amenities including picnic tables and trash service. Whipple Cave area offers free dispersed tent camping near spelunking opportunities in a remote setting approximately three hours north of Las Vegas.

Most tent campgrounds near Panaca require campers to be self-sufficient with limited or no facilities available. Sites typically feature dirt surfaces with no designated pads or tent platforms. Free dispersed camping areas such as Whipple Cave lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out waste. Chief Mountain West provides more amenities than most areas, including picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash collection, though drinking water is still unavailable. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote tent sites, particularly those near Whipple Cave where the final approach requires navigating unimproved dirt roads unsuitable for sedans.

The tent camping experience around Panaca delivers exceptional opportunities for stargazing and solitude due to minimal light pollution and low visitation. Areas farther from established campgrounds offer deeper seclusion, especially midweek when visitor numbers decrease. While daytime temperatures can soar during summer months, evening temperatures drop significantly, requiring appropriate sleeping gear. Sites near Whipple Cave provide access to spelunking and rappelling adventures, with the cave entrance located a short hike from camping areas. Big Rocks North offers isolation but minimal facilities, with one visitor noting "There is no water or toilets and zero cell reception." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with wild horses frequently spotted near Chief Mountain West.

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Best Tent Sites Near Panaca, Nevada (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Panaca, NV

1 Photos of 7 Panaca Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Panaca, NV

93 Reviews of 7 Panaca Campgrounds

  • Daisee Mae S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 11, 2022

    Pioche City Park

    Pull-off Before town

    We set out to camp here, but money was tight so we opted for a spot about 23 miles from town (south).

    Looks as though it’s an old highway.

    Great Hiking

    There are a lot of animal remains in a ditch and a really neat dry creek to look for rocks and such.

    It is our first night here so i may take more pictures. You can see from this side of the road that the highway that’s used is starting to slide away from the underside of it. Very scary. Soft ground everywhere.

    The road is easy to drive on but as you rear the end of the road it turns into gravel and bushes as it leads back to the highway again.

    Looks to be about 4 or 5 good places to set up camp on the road.

    The rocks from both sides of the road are falling all over the road.

    I would definitely stay here again. Its frozen in time on this road. Very nostalgic.

    Highway noise isn’t very bad either.

  • Gina J.
    Oct. 30, 2018

    Kershaw-Ryan State Park

    Small sites but the park is amazing

    This campground has super small sites that are close together and offer little to no "camp privacy". I would say that this is more of an RV/trailer friendly campground than tent-friendly. There are tent pads at a couple of the sites. Each site offers fire rings, grills and covered picnic tables. There is flushable toilets and free showers available which is super nice.

    The more we explored this park, the more awesome things we found. Close to the day use area, there is a horseshoe pit and a very nice volleyball court. There are a couple short hikes super close to the campground also, that offer beautiful views of the fall foliage. I highly suggest visiting this in the Fall as the colors were amazing.

  • C
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Horsethief Gulch Campground — Spring Valley State Park

    Hidden Gem

    We spent three days/two nights. We got to campground around 10am. Their was a few people already setup. They have hookups for RVs and campers. A few spots for handicap accessible. They remolded the first bathroom. Two showers and four bathrooms. Shower is fancy, it has a rain shower faucet. Bathrooms are cleaned every morning.

    We camped in spot 27. It easily fit two tents. Close to second bathrooms, not close you can Enough to hear people coming and going. All sites come with a fire ring and covered table. I noticed a cleanup crew come in and rake the area and clean up every site.

    10pm is quiet time. No generator after or loud music after 10a.

    Ranger comes by frequently. I saw a sign that They put out fire wood every morning. I didn’t noticed. We took 4 bundles of firewood. Sign was posted that no campfires were allowed. I saw quite a few campfires burning. Gas propane were allowed.

    The reservoir was maybe 4 mins walking. Was very close depending on where you were. We were in the back so it took a little longer. The hookup sites were in the front mostly.

    Plenty of places to sit and fish. It was stocked With rainbow trout.

    Happy Camping

  • Gina J.
    Oct. 31, 2018

    Horsethief Gulch Campground — Spring Valley State Park

    Must check this out for fall camping

    As with many of the other NV state parks, this campground offers covered picnic tables, flushable toilets and free showers. There are fire rings and grills for cooking at each site. The sites are good size for tent camping and most have tent pads that are level. The abundance of trees gives each site plenty of privacy although there were only 4 other campers there when we visited. There is easy access to the bathroom and the rservoir is only a short walk away.

  • Michael H.
    Dec. 29, 2024

    Big Rocks North

    Rugged and rough

    Not much of a campground as far as campsites are concerned, a cattle pen and staging area are nearby. There was a picnic table and fire ring back in the trees. It's a great place for isolation, we encountered a couple hunters scouting the area. If you are going in winter the shade from the canyon starts at 3pm and the temperature drops real fast once you are in the shade. There is no water or toilets and zero cell reception.

  • J
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground

    Quiet, Beautiful Get Away in

    Stayed for a couple of nights in April 2021. The campsite is pretty small and also popular, so get there early! We'd gotten some advice to arrive between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Turned out to be great advice! We arrived at 10:30 and had several sites from which to choose. It wasn't long after we set up to see that the remaining available spots had disappeared quickly. Rigs continued to circle through for the rest of the afternoon. They have an "overflow" area, but there are no power hookups there.

    The restroom/shower was clean, but there is only one shower stall in each of the restrooms. It wasn't a problem for us, since most of the rigs there had their own facilities. The app says the campground has water hookups, but it does not. The have potable water stations, where you can fill your tank before setting up, but no hookups at individual sites.

    Seems like most of the folks were locked inside their trailers by 8:00. We were one of maybe three sites that actually had a fire and s'mores! It was quiet and peaceful in the evenings.

    During the day, we explored the adjacent slot canyons. They are beautiful and a great way to escape the heat! Most are great for kids to explore, but be careful as we found one had a sudden vertical shaft straight down. Gorgeous for sure, but just watch your kiddos!

    We highly recommend this cozy spot if you're in the area!

  • Brittney C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2020

    Pioche City Park

    Nice and free

    It’s free .....they accept donations. Your stay limit is 7 days. Pick up after your pups and keep them on leashes.

    They have water, trash and deers always running around here.
    And up the street if you want full hook ups they have that further up the town but for free and basic is what you get here. Nothing fancy about this place but some spots do have shade and that’s nice. For free and water availability I give this place 4 stars because what else would you need? Your nearby to a park for your kids and plenty of history walking distance from here.

  • R
    Sep. 27, 2021

    Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground

    Great mud/rock formations to explore

    What a surprise?  Nice, small campground. Electrical hookup in all sites.  Note that there are free showers at the restrooms in the campsite.  The other facility nearby charges for showers.  Fire rings and large shade structures over picnic tables. Plenty of room for parking extra vehicles.  The formations in the park are fun to explore.

  • sunshine M.
    Jul. 17, 2022

    Horsethief Gulch Campground — Spring Valley State Park

    Too warm for fishing, but relaxing nonetheless

    As a tent camper, this place is well manicured and most tent pads are level. I prefer Echo Canyon campground to this neighboring site, but due to the lack of water at the Echo Canyon Reservoir, we decided to come here instead because we drove 3 hours.

    Time of the year: July 13-16, 2022

    Cost to camp: $15 per night

    Reservations: First come

    Site: 21. Around noon, the sun exposes the west side of the shade structure. So, remember to move your coolers as the sun moves throughout the day. This site is located at the very end of the entire loop. It is nestled up against the mountain, where you could possibly hike it, but it was too hot. There are no water spigots at the site, but 2 sites down there is a community water spigot and the flushable toilets. There is a fire pit only, so bring additional cooking gear if you don’t want to cook on the grill grate on the fire pit.

    Restrooms and showers: Yes, to both. However, the showers are in the lower campsite area.

    Water: There are community spigots throughout.

    Firewood: I didn’t see firewood for a donation.

    Handicap accessible: Yes, there were a few.

    Stargazing: it was cloudy and it rained for 3 nights.

    Fishing: Yes. We tried at 6am, 1 pm, and 7pm, but we didn’t catch much. There was an occasional catch by others, but it wasn’t what I remembered. Worms and green Powerbait were the winners of the season.

    Bugs and such: Tons of flys at this time of the year. You must have bug repellent!

    Temperature: Rain wasn’t forecasted, but during the day is was about 75 and 67 at night.

    Other: If you need to get ice, drinks or food, there is a store and bar to get additional supplies. The neighboring town, Pioche, had a small grocery store and 2 gas stations if you need them.

    Overall, clean campsites, but too warm. I’d go back in the spring.

Guide to Panaca

Tent camping near Panaca, Nevada offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural landscapes of the region. With a variety of campgrounds available, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.

Affordable Tent Camping Options

  • Prices for tent camping can be quite reasonable, with many options available for free or minimal fees. For example, camping at Chief Mountain West is free and allows for a relaxed experience in a beautiful setting.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful retreat, Pine Canyon Dam offers a well-reviewed spot to camp without any permit requirements, making it an easy choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • Another great option is Ranch Camp — Spring Valley State Park, where you can enjoy free camping with access to amenities like toilets and picnic tables.

Exciting Local Activities

  • For those who love adventure, Whipple Cave is a must-visit, offering opportunities for spelunking and rappelling, just a short drive from Panaca.
  • Mountain biking and off-roading enthusiasts will find Chief Mountain West to be an ideal base, with plenty of trails to explore in the surrounding area.
  • Fishing and boating are popular at Pine Canyon Dam, where you can enjoy a peaceful day on the water while soaking in the scenic views.

Tent Camping Features to Enjoy

  • Many campgrounds, like Ranch Camp — Spring Valley State Park, provide essential amenities such as fire pits and picnic tables, enhancing your camping experience.
  • At Whipple Cave, you can enjoy a secluded camping experience with no crowds, perfect for stargazing on clear nights.
  • Pine Canyon Dam is known for its peaceful atmosphere, making it a great spot for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Panaca, NV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Panaca, NV is Whipple Cave with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Panaca, NV?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Panaca, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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