Dispersed camping near Ruth, Nevada offers accessible options for outdoor enthusiasts at elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet. The high desert landscape creates significant temperature variations, with summer days reaching mid-80s and nights cooling dramatically. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate pets with specific leashing requirements and designated exercise areas.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Ward Mountain Campground provides access to numerous hiking paths through juniper and pine forests. One camper noted, "Horse trails, bike trails, bike trails… Nice spot for a few days and close to a small town (Ely)."
Fishing opportunities: Cave Lake State Park's Elk Flat Campground offers fishing despite recent lake maintenance. A visitor shared, "Nearby there are several great hikes / mountain bike trails. Cave Lake is also close. It is a small lake a perfect for swimming, canoeing or kayaking."
Rockhounding at Garnet Hill Camp: This area is known for its namesake garnets. "Beautiful high desert scenery. Lots of available dispersed spots for big groups/lots of people," reports one camper who enjoyed exploring the terrain.
Stargazing sessions: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. A visitor to Garnet Hill mentioned the area would be "fantastic place to view stars" though their visit coincided with cloudy weather.
What campers like
Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation provides relief from summer heat. One camper at Ward Mountain Campground appreciated that "it's rather quiet here and sparsely populated in mid-October. The wind in the trees makes good music."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. At Elk Flat Campground, visitors noted "clean toilets, sinks, and showers. The spots each had a picnic table and fire pit."
Wildlife sightings: The natural setting offers chances to observe local fauna. Campers at Garnet Hill Camp reported, "Heard coyotes at night which was cool."
Historical exploration: Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park provides cultural interest alongside camping. A visitor commented, "Interesting history of the campground. Kilns are well preserved and accessible. The camping is close by."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds require bringing your own water. At Willow Creek Campground, one camper warned, "water is not available right now" during their stay.
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Access to remote camping areas requires preparation. At Garnet Hill, a camper advised, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Higher elevations mean different camping conditions throughout the year. One camper at Ward Mountain noted, "Campground is in full operations mode. Quiet and scenic sites are available. Well-placed sites (30) not too close together."
Insect activity: Be prepared for mosquitoes during certain times. A visitor to Ward Mountain mentioned, "The only issue was the mosquitoes at dawn and dusk, but we took care of that by hanging out in our clamshell tent."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Ely KOA offers dedicated play areas. A camper observed, "My daughter (8) loved the playground. We were only there for one night on our way to Utah."
Swimming options: Cave Lake State Park provides water recreation when the lake is filled. One visitor mentioned, "It is a small lake a perfect for swimming, canoeing or kayaking."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. The Ward Charcoal Ovens offer "Interesting history" according to visitors, with "a couple of geocaches in the area."
Tent-friendly terrain: Many sites accommodate family camping setups. At Ward Mountain, a camper noted, "The driveway for site parking was level. There were trees, camp fire ring, picnic table, and flat area for a tent."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions for dispersed camping: Cave Lake State Park offers varied options for different vehicles. A visitor commented, "Nice, mostly flat sites with quite a bit of juniper and some scrub pine in between so pretty private. Water taps and dump station."
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer RV services. At Silver Sage Travel Center, a camper noted, "Has only 7 full hookup sites but a big open lot open for free dry camping."
Level sites: Look for established pads at developed campgrounds. At Ward Mountain, an RVer shared, "My 30' TT and 20' truck found ample back-in FF spaces. Mostly flat. Table, grill and prep counter in good shape."
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management needs. One RVer at Ward Mountain advised, "RV dumps located in Ely at gas stations."
