24 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping opportunities near Ruby Valley, Nevada range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites across public lands. The Ruby Lake Dispersed area provides primitive camping with basic amenities including drinking water and toilets. South Ruby Campground in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest accommodates both tent and RV camping from early May through late October. Several campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, while others like Camp Lamoille offer dispersed camping options with more limited facilities. The region includes both fee-based developed sites and free dispersed camping areas on Forest Service land.
"Several dispersed camping sites before you get to the actual campground. Good spacing on the sites for privacy. Easy access to the creek for clean fresh water," noted one camper about Camp Lamoille. Most campgrounds in the Ruby Valley area operate seasonally, typically closing during winter months due to snow and freezing temperatures. Road conditions vary significantly, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. A review mentioned, "After turning right onto the FS gravel road you can take a left or right to dispersed camping spots... we went further down, rock crawling, high clearance required, and found the perfect spot nestled in the trees about 10ft from Lamoille Creek." Cell service is limited throughout the region, with spotty coverage reported at most campgrounds.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites near water sources, particularly those along Lamoille Creek and Ruby Lake. The Ruby Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for many camping areas, with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. South Fork State Recreation Area offers developed campground options with electrical hookups and lake views. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Nice campground with electrical hookups; nice bathrooms with showers. Sites that overlook lake are closer together but sites with mountain views were spread apart." Wind can be a factor in more exposed camping areas, particularly at Coyote Cove where one reviewer noted it was "CRAZY windy, but decent views." Most campground options near Ruby Valley provide basic amenities like toilets and trash service, while dispersed sites typically offer more solitude but fewer facilities.
"simply amazing. the hot spring was around 111 degrees and we were there in July. it was hot, very hot during the day. the hot spring is so warm that we couldn’t get in it until the sun went down!!!"
from $17 - $34 / night
Check Availability"First time camping in Nevada. Went with family that had been here before. Amazing beautiful area. Campground is well kept and quiet. Some spaces are actually quite secluded. Loved it."
"We pulled in late afternoon, mid-week in June and were able to find a fairly level site next to the stream. The bathrooms were clean. The trash bins were full, but not over full yet."
from $19 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Also you now need to use a different entrance that was a bit confusing for our GPS. We woke up in the morning and were surprised at how freaking beautiful it was. At night we couldn't tell at all!"
"As noted by others there are a few dispersed sites off the entrance road to the official site."
"We camped near the bridge. There was plenty of room for us to pull our truck and camper trailer onto a level surface. There were more sites on the road to the right as we entered from the highway."
"Nevada high desert. It is of course dry and the wildlife includes snakes and spiders."
"We really liked this spot in Nevada. The reservoir is a nice thing to walk to, not much more."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The Iron Horse RV Resort in Elko, NV is a real gem in the Nevada desert. It's on the main highway parallel to I-80 on the north end of town."
"It’s nestled in the heart of Elko, Nevada, a short drive from the Ruby Mountains and a couple of smaller casinos and restaurants."
"Along the south west side of South Fork reservoir, these functional spots carry all the charm of a dirt parking lot, but the views of the Ruby Mountains reflected in the lake will keep you coming back."
"Not your typical campground; the sites are lined up along the lake with the only privacy being the space (decent) between sites."
from $10 / night
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TravelerFirst time camping in Nevada. Went with family that had been here before. Amazing beautiful area. Campground is well kept and quiet. Some spaces are actually quite secluded. Loved it.
ScoutThis is a beautiful well maintained Forest Service campground.
We pulled in late afternoon, mid-week in June and were able to find a fairly level site next to the stream.
The bathrooms were clean. The trash bins were full, but not over full yet.
There were several sites still open, but were for tents or vans. We only saw 2-3 that would fit our truck and camper.
Definitely want to come back.
ScoutTed helped us out last minute bc we were just passing through. It turns out to be a nice camp site with good amenities. Showers and bathrooms are clean.
GuideJune 2026. Nevada high desert. It is of course dry and the wildlife includes snakes and spiders. I almost ran right into a big daddy of a gopher snake that was slithering along the path I had turned onto to get to the showers. ( 6-8 feet long and broad). It is hot here, but breezy and cool at night. The sites are big, and many have a good view of the reservoir. Older bathrooms, but not bad. Showers are always good at Nevada State Parks, which is why I stay there when passing through. A bit pricey for out of state if you are not using the electricity. $35
GuideWe camped near the bridge. There was plenty of room for us to pull our truck and camper trailer onto a level surface. There were more sites on the road to the right as we entered from the highway. We walked the road to the right but it was way too rocky to attempt with our weighed down truck. However, with less weight and more clearance we probably would have went for it! Beautiful site! Gorgeous to see the sun set and the moon shine on the mountains. The water was chilly and refreshing! Our dog loved swimming in the river!
ScoutThere is a fee
TravelerWell maintained sites. BBQ, and fire pits. Free showers, flush toilets, covered picnic tables. Nice large sites. Always a breeze. A camp host is present as well as ranger station 1/2 mile down the road. 25$ per night with full electric hookups. Doggy clean up bags provided.
TravelerThe main paid camp ground was closed. Just took a right and was back in the wilderness with mountains all around. Many dispersed camping sites but probably need 4x4 with elevation to get to the best.
TravelerThe professionalism and kindness of the Loves staff can be experienced at any Loves location, as far as I can tell. Me and my family are on a 1 year road trip in an rv, and what we like most about Loves is; we know what to expect. If we can make it to a Loves, everything will be fine for the night.
Camping near Ruby Valley, Nevada ranges across 5,500-6,500 feet elevation in high desert terrain, with significant temperature fluctuations between seasons. The region experiences cold, snowy winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing, while summer camping season typically runs from May through October with daytime temperatures reaching 80-90°F. Most campgrounds close during winter months when mountain passes become impassable due to snow accumulation.
Hot spring exploration: At South Ruby Campground, visitors can access natural hot springs for soaking. "The hot spring was around 111 degrees and we were there in July. It was hot, very hot during the day. The hot spring is so warm that we couldn't get in it until the sun went down!!!" warns one camper, who adds "watch you drive in, new springs are forming and some ground is SOFT!!!! be safe, have a spotter."
Hiking mountain trails: The Ruby Mountains provide extensive hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "Awesome hiking trails, beautiful views, spacious camp sites," notes a visitor at Thomas Canyon Campground. The trails connect to alpine lakes and scenic viewpoints throughout the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Fishing reservoirs: South Fork State Recreation Area offers productive fishing for trout and bass. "Had a great time fishing the lake with my wife," reports one visitor at East Campground, while another camper mentions "This campground is surrounded by natural beauty. Snow capped mountains hang in the distance. The site is super clean and has flushable toilets and a non-fee shower. There are trails from camp to the water. Make sure to bring your fishing poles because chances are you will catch a good-sized trout."
Creek access: Multiple dispersed sites along Lamoille Canyon provide direct water access. At Camp Lamoille, campers appreciate the proximity to moving water. "We went further down, rock crawling, high clearance required, and found the perfect spot nestled in the trees about 10ft from Lamoille Creek," shares one reviewer who stayed for four days.
Open reservoir views: Campsites along South Fork Reservoir offer unobstructed mountain views. A visitor at Coyote Cove describes the layout: "Not your typical campground; the sites are lined up along the lake with the only privacy being the space (decent) between sites. Each site has a cement pad, table, fire ring, bbq, and wind screen."
Aspen groves: The forested campgrounds provide natural shade during summer months. "Well developed campgrounds with fire pits, grills, and tables. Vault toilets are also available. Good amount of privacy with all the trees," notes a visitor about Thomas Canyon Campground, highlighting the aspen trees that create natural separation between sites.
Seasonal access: Winter conditions close many roads to Ruby Valley campgrounds. "We went to have a looks and less than a mile in the road was covered by several feet of snow. We have a 4wd and I couldn't have gotten through without damage," reports one camper attempting to access Camp Lamoille during colder months.
Wind exposure: Sites along the reservoir can experience significant wind. At Coyote Cove, a camper warns it gets "CRAZY windy, but decent views. All of the camping spots are right on the water, no cover at all (this isn't really a good tent camping or RTT site)."
Elevation challenges: The Ruby Mountains rise sharply from the valley floor, affecting camping conditions. "We stopped to camp here on a trip to Northern California and we were not disappointed. We had a beautiful view of the canyon valley and the stars at night were perfect," shares a visitor at Thomas Canyon Campground, where nighttime temperatures drop considerably even in summer.
Spacious sites: Thomas Canyon Campground offers family-friendly spacing. "This is a really nice campground! Awesome hiking trails, beautiful views, spacious camp sites, clean bathrooms, nice camp host! I'll be coming back to this spot. I believe it's $18 a night," reports one visitor.
Reservoir recreation: East Campground at South Fork State Recreation Area provides family amenities and water access. "We got arrived a bit late at night, but this was such an easy campground to find! Not a lot of privacy between sites, and it was very open/no real trees/nature, however it's worth it for the view of the lake right below your spot!" One family notes, "Plenty of space for the kids to run around and bike around the campsite. Bathrooms were very clean and had hot showers."
Wildlife viewing: Ruby Lake area offers bird watching opportunities for all ages. "I really enjoy looking over the beaver dams along the creeks. The mountains are great for hikes," mentions a visitor to Camp Lamoille, highlighting the natural features that interest children.
Hookup options: East Campground offers electrical hookups for RVs. "Well maintained sites. BBQ, and fire pits. Free showers, flush toilets, covered picnic tables. Nice large sites. Always a breeze. A camp host is present as well as ranger station 1/2 mile down the road. 25$ per night with full electric hookups," explains one RVer.
Access limitations: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles. "Official campground is only open May-September. As noted by others there are a few dispersed sites off the entrance road to the official site. Views are stunning but most of the better sites are high clearance vehicle access only, with few turn around locations," cautions a Camp Lamoille visitor.
Reservation planning: For developed campgrounds, early booking is recommended during peak season. "The reservation situation here is a bit confusing. Dyrt makes it out to be a group site, which it is, but it can also be reserved as up to nine individual sites if a group hasn't already laid their claim," notes a visitor at Terraces Campground, emphasizing the importance of advance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in the Ruby Mountains?
The Ruby Mountains offer several excellent camping options. Camp Lamoille-Dispersed Camping provides stunning mountain views with dispersed sites off the entrance road, though some require high-clearance vehicles. The official campground is open May-September. For group camping, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Terraces Picnic and Group Camping Site offers beautiful surroundings with individual sites available when not reserved by groups. Thomas Canyon Campground provides drive-in and walk-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilets. The Ruby Mountains region also features campgrounds near lakes and reservoirs that provide access to fishing and hiking opportunities within this scenic mountain range.
Is camping in Ruby Valley Nevada free or are there fees?
Camping fees in Ruby Valley vary by location and amenities. Most developed campgrounds charge fees. East Campground — South Fork State Recreation Area requires payment for overnight stays but offers clean facilities including flushable toilets and non-fee showers with beautiful mountain views. For budget options, Ruby Lake Dispersed offers free camping with basic amenities like water and toilets. When staying at developed RV parks near Ruby Valley, such as those in Elko, expect to pay nightly fees ranging from $30-60 depending on hookups and amenities. Always check current fee information before your trip as rates may change seasonally, and some areas may require recreation passes in addition to camping fees.
What amenities are available at South Ruby Campground?
South Ruby Campground offers several amenities for a comfortable camping experience. The campground provides potable water, vault toilets, and is accessible by both boat and vehicle. It's designed to accommodate larger RVs, making it big-rig friendly for those traveling with larger setups. The campground is reservable, allowing you to secure your spot ahead of time, particularly important during peak seasons. Located near Elko, South Ruby serves as a great base for exploring the Ruby Mountains. While not as developed as RV resorts, it offers the essential amenities needed for a pleasant outdoor experience while maintaining the natural Ruby Valley setting.
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