Dispersed camping sites near Ruth, Nevada range in elevation from 6,500 to 7,800 feet across the high desert landscape. Winter temperatures can drop well below freezing with significant snowfall that closes some mountain roads and campgrounds. Cell service at higher elevations tends to be stronger for T-Mobile users than Verizon, with notable dead zones in canyon bottoms.
What to do
Fishing at Cave Lake State Park: The reservoir at Lake View Campground offers trout fishing in a mountain setting. "A minute walk to the lake and spacious camping sites. Restrooms and showers were clean! Park rangers and maintenance folks are very friendly," notes camper Arian C. However, be prepared for shoreline conditions, as another visitor explains: "When going in the water, beware of the mud! It'll suck you in. Deep in some areas."
Mineral hunting: The Garnet Hill Camp area, about 3 miles on dirt roads, allows visitors to search for garnets. "Beautiful high desert scenery. Lots of available dispersed spots for big groups/lots of people," writes Truly W. The site's elevation provides excellent cell service in specific spots - "About one thousand feet before the top of Garnet Hill, at a 90 degrees right hand turn, there are a number of good, level spots with excellent cell service on T-Mobile," advises Marty K.
Hiking from campgrounds: Multiple trail systems connect directly to camping areas. "Great trails right from the grounds for walking, biking, quading," notes Susan N. about the Ely KOA. For those seeking more seclusion, "There are nice trails from the campground to the ovens," according to reviews of Willow Creek campground at Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park.
What campers like
Cooler temperatures: The high elevation provides relief from summer desert heat. "With Las Vegas temps reaching 115, this is a beautiful respite with highs in the mid 80s," reports Kelly P. about Ward Mtn. Campground. Nights can be significantly colder than days throughout the camping season.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathroom was clean and showers clean and hot. Nice quiet campground and also has a nice country store," writes Deborah B. about her cabin stay at Ely KOA. Even at more rustic campgrounds like Ward Mountain Campground, campers note "Super clean bathrooms too."
Site privacy: Ward Mountain Campground near Ruth offers spacious campsites separated by natural vegetation. "Well-placed sites (30) not too close together. Most sites are currently reservable but 10 are first come first serve," explains Tom and Marianne H. The campground's layout is appreciated by Janet K. who mentions, "Juniper and pine. Loop B is far enough from the road that we didn't hear the highway. Quiet, lots of space."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate only from late spring through mid-fall. Ward Mountain Campground typically opens early June and closes mid-October. Cave Lake State Park facilities sometimes face maintenance issues - "We were going to camp there and the lake had been drained. So we moved on," reports Melissa S. about Lake View Campground.
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide water year-round. At Willow Creek Campground, "Water available but no electric or sewer," according to Rich J., though other visitors note "Water is not available right now" during certain periods. Always carry extra water when camping in this region.
Gravel roads and dust: Access to many campgrounds involves unpaved roads. "Gravel roads throughout," notes Brittney C. about Valley View RV Park. At higher elevations, Robert R. mentions, "They could have used some dust control on the gravel roads" at Ely KOA, which otherwise received high marks for cleanliness and friendly staff.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, Silver Sage Travel Center offers convenient amenities while still providing outdoor space. "The staff is amazing and you have the police constantly around protecting this area," notes Brittney C., adding that it's "a small RV spot and they take cash only" with "a cool place to walk your dogs."
Swimming challenges: While Cave Lake seems ideal for swimming, families should note shoreline conditions. "The lake itself, while pretty to look at, is not at all pleasant to go to...when I tried to go down I sank ankle deep in smelly sticky mud," reports Allison M. Consider bringing water toys that can be enjoyed without shoreline access.
Kid-friendly sites: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with younger campers. "This campground included a bathroom, showers and a small shop with camping supplies. The campsite was padded with grass, which is much more comfortable than sleeping on dirt," notes Maggie S. about Ely KOA.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility concerns: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. At Garnet Hill Camp, "I would not take a trailer or large motor home to the top of the hill. There are no good places for trailers and the parking lot at the top is small. It would be difficult to turn a trailer around," warns Marty K. Other campers note that "We drove our 25' class C without a problem. Many places to camp with minimal leveling."
Dump station locations: For RVers needing to empty tanks, Ely provides multiple options. James J. notes, "RV dumps located in Ely at gas stations," though some campgrounds offer this service: "If you need to stop just to empty your RV they do have a charge but it's easy to get to and only costs 15$ if you want to dump and fill up fresh water as well," explains Brittney C. about Silver Sage Travel Center.
Site leveling considerations: Finding level RV sites can be challenging in mountainous terrain. "The driveway for site parking was level. There were trees, camp fire ring, picnic table, and flat area for a tent," reports Minda B. about her experience at Ward Mountain Campground. For larger RVs, Ely KOA received good reviews as "sites are mostly level and big-rig friendly."
