Dispersed camping options near Round Mountain, Nevada offer primitive sites at elevations ranging from 5,500 to 7,500 feet in the high desert landscape. Temperature swings of 40°F between day and night are common in this region, with summer days reaching 90°F and nights dropping to 50°F. The nearby Toiyabe National Forest provides ample public lands for remote camping experiences with minimal facilities.
What to do
Hiking the Arc Dome Wilderness: Access wilderness trails directly from Columbine campground. "A trailhead accessing the Arc Dome Wilderness is located at the campground," notes camper Bud M., who describes the setting as "a very quiet USFS campground adjacent to Stewart Creek. Aspens and conifers provide ample shade in most sites."
Explore ghost towns: Visit the preserved mining structures at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. "The 'ghost' town is very well preserved and tended to nicely. E-bikes are nice to use to zip around to different site in the park," writes Terri D. The park combines historical buildings with unique paleontological exhibits.
Soak in natural hot springs: Spencer Hot Springs offers several soaking pools of varying temperatures. One visitor reports, "The upper tub was not warm enough for me 97°. The lower however was 107° which I loved." The springs feature both natural pools and modified tubs with temperature control options.
What campers like
Night sky viewing: The remote locations offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, camper Gina J. shares: "We chose to leave the rain guard off and enjoyed viewing the galaxy from inside, stargazing and watching satellites fly across the sky all night."
Wildlife encounters: Spencer Hot Springs visitors frequently see wild burros. "At sunset, kick back in your chair or in the hot spring and watch and listen to the wild burrows come in from the desert to drink and graze," writes Annie C. These encounters provide unique camping memories without the need for structured activities.
Creek access: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Round Mountain feature refreshing creek access. At Pine Creek Campground, "Campground is in a lovely aspen and birch forest. Most sites are very private with some sites within sight of another site across the roaring creek," according to Teri S., who notes 14 of the 21 sites are creekside.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to most sites require careful driving. For McKinney Tanks Camp, visitor Niko L. notes it's "right off the highway near Tonopah," making it accessible for most vehicles, while Kingston Campground has "a 2.5 mile long single lane dirt road" with limited passing opportunities.
Limited services: No cell service exists at most locations. Christopher D. reports from Spencer Hot Springs: "I had absolutely zero cell service (not even 1x) in this valley with Verizon." Download offline maps before heading out as navigation can be challenging.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require proper gear. At Peavine Campground, camper Trl G. advises: "It did get a little cold once the sun set behind those mountains in the canyon but I camped in September. So for fall camping I would definitely bring lots of heavy sleeping bags and sleeping materials."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed sites: For families with pets, developed campgrounds offer more amenities. Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park provides educational opportunities as Justin K. shares: "The best part was the kids started getting bored, as they do, in the afternoon. We went and bought a deck of cards from the fossil center. The lady chatted with the kids for a bit and told them that when she got off she would bring the kids a board game."
Pack extra water: Limited water sources mean bringing your own supply. At many pet-friendly campgrounds near Round Mountain, no drinking water is available, requiring advance planning for both human and animal hydration needs.
Plan activities: Some sites have built-in entertainment. At McKinney Tanks Camp, Dave B. mentions it "has a large tree with a rope swing," while Seth T. adds you can find "a ruined building, a still-flowing spring, and thousands of old tin cans" if you explore the area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Finding level spots can be challenging. At Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Terri D. warns: "Sites are spacious but are spread out around a hillside resulting in very unlevel sites. We were in site 12 with a 29' travel trailer. Our hitch was almost on the ground to be level to the back of the railer where we had to put blocks under one of the tires."
Size restrictions: Many dog-friendly campsites near Round Mountain have limited space for larger rigs. Regarding Kingston Campground, Erik J. explains: "We towed our 30 foot bumper pull behind our full size truck (49 feet tip to tail) and made it but this is right at the limits for maneuvering. Scout out your site on foot and create a plan before pulling in."
Road clearance: High-clearance vehicles are recommended for most dispersed sites. Linda L. notes about Peavine Campground: "It was an easy road in. I think we got confused about where all the sites were. After two river crossings, there are a couple more sites, the nice fella let us know."
