Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Paradise Valley, NV

This campground has been upgraded and currently charges $8 per night. It’s well worth it though. Not only are the grounds nice and well kept, but the bathrooms were clean. The creek runs right next to the campground so if it’s not too cold for an open window, the noise from the water is super relaxing.

No matter which direction you come from, pay attention to the length limit shown on the site here. The roads into the site from both directions have some pretty aggressive switchbacks.

That being said, I would also encourage everyone to not go out the way you came in. When you arrive at the turnoff to the campground from FSR087, you will turn right if coming from McDermitt or turn left if coming from Paradise Valley. So whichever way you come in, go out the other way if you have the time. Both sides of the mountain have equally stunning views and are well worth seeing if you have time for the extra travel.

This is not for the casual camper. The road is long(24 mi from hwy 95, 18 mi from Paradise Valley) and it is first gear 10-15 mpg all the way. It is a dual track, soft center, raised crown with many embedded and loose rocks. Very narrow road with steep banks on either side. There are no washboards or sand but several low spots have mud ruts which means there will be potentially deep muddy tracks for short distances if it gets wet. I rode a fully loaded BMW 1200GS dual sport motorcycle up there and it was quite a challenge. Must air down your tires! If you drive a camper ensure everything is tied down or you will break a lot of dishes! I do not recommend a trailer as a few of the switchbacks are climbing, tight, steep 180s. Pullouts for passing are few and far between. Google Maps has the roads so you can navigate to the site and watch the distance as you progress. There was not even a hint of any cell service, as might be expected. This is very high and remote. But here isolation is kinda what you are looking for! The campsite elevation is 7300 feet so depending on the season expect cold mornings. On June 23 I woke up to 41 degrees. The pit toilets have some tp but better bring your own. There are several water faucets with good pressure but there was a sign that said “non-potable water.” I boiled some water for a few minutes and had no issues. Bring your own water or plan to boil or purify it. Also whether on a motorcycle or camper the site has a slope so getting level will be a challenge. If you are tenting putting tent stakes in will be difficult or impossible in the stony ground. Expect mosquitoes and thousands of moths that get into every nook and cranny. Don’t leave anything out overnight or it will be covered in moths. Campfire rings are large but mostly filled with old ashes. Good solid picnic tables but bring your own wood as the local area seems to be pretty well picked over for deadfall. As another review said there are two ways in- from the east and west sides. Plan to go in one way and out the other. The views from the top are spectacular!

On a recent trip to Reno, (June 2021) we stayed here once on the way down and once on the way back. While there were a few RVs each time we used the location, mainly big trucks shared the large space. 

I gave it 4-stars because only because one night the idling trucks and off again on again refer units made for a restless night. The second time it was quieter, but still several idling trucks all night.  Nearest town is McDermitt, with fuel and a small casino on the Oregon border about 20 minutes away from the rest area, going North towards or South from.  The rest area is about a half hour or so North of Winnemucca, Nevada. 

There are pit-toilets and a dumpster on the site, and two small picnic tablets under a shelter with a historical marker between the tables. As this is immediately off the highway, there were vehicles driving by or stopping all night long, but those vehicles were generally not a bother.

As we were a self-contained 5th wheel, we didn't use either the bathrooms or the tables other than walking are the grounds to see what was there. The rest area is all black-top right off the highway (Highway 95, the Veteran's Memorial Highway, North or South). It had a really nice view of the area from the location. Along the east edge of the large paved parking area, it is lined with K-Rails. And fenced off to the land beyond the parking area except for access at the North East end of the parking area to take public lands towards the mountains.