The Ruth area sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, providing a moderate climate in summer when temperatures typically range from 50-80°F. Juniper and pine trees characterize many campgrounds, creating natural privacy barriers between campsites in established locations. Camping options range from full-service RV parks to primitive sites with no services.
What to do
Mountain biking access: 5 minutes from campsites. The trail networks near Ward Mountain Campground provide excellent biking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "Horse trails, bike trails, bike trails… Nice spot for a few days and close to a small town (Ely)," notes Sean P.
Stargazing: Peak hours 10pm-2am. The mountain locations offer minimal light pollution for astronomy enthusiasts. "Night sky is perfect for stargazing. High elevation can be a problem but worth it if you can handle it," writes Patricia N. about Upper Lehman Creek Campground.
Garnet hunting: Free access. The area features unique geology allowing visitors to search for garnets and other minerals. "You can locate the campground on your left hand side right before you get to cave late," explains a camper about accessing Elk Flat Campground, which serves as a good base for exploration.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Natural sound buffer. Campsites along water features are consistently rated highest. "Enjoyable sites right next to the creek. Lots of space between sites. Clean outhouses," says Wade H. about Upper Lehman Creek Campground.
Shower facilities: Free at state parks. Unlike many rural camping areas, several locations offer clean facilities. "Push button showers and flush toilets available. Fire ring and picnic tables at each site. Well cared for campground," reports Claudia B. about Elk Flat Campground.
Budget-friendly options: No fees at some locations. Sacramento Pass BLM Campground offers established sites without charge. "For this to be a free campground, it's really nice! Each site is an established site, with a covered picnic table & firepit. Each site is spaced out also," Sarah M. explains.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: May-October for most locations. Winter access is limited primarily to lower elevation sites. "Stayed for one night in early June. Campground is in full operations mode. Quiet and scenic sites are available. Well-placed sites (30) not too close together," reports Tom and Marianne H. about Ward Mountain.
Cell coverage: Varies by provider. T-Mobile generally shows strongest signals at higher elevations. "AT&T coverage was poor, with 0 to 1 bar of 5GE and speeds of only 0.3 MB/s. We had access all 3 western DISH satellites and Starlink had speeds were up to 11 MB/s," notes Ray & Terri F. about Sacramento Pass.
Limited supplies: Stock up in Ely. Most campgrounds have no stores. "This park is truly in the middle of nowhere, with almost no development (yay!!) close to the entrance. What that means is that you need to come prepared with groceries and supplies," advises Shari G.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Available at select sites. Ely KOA features kid-friendly amenities not found at forest service or BLM locations. "This place is great it has a pool, playground, so many family activities, a big grass area for the tent campers which is super cool," Brittney C. shares.
Fishing opportunities: Stocked lakes and streams. Multiple water bodies within 20 minutes of Ruth maintain fish populations. "Fishing was awesome! Great hiking trails, except no printed maps of trails. Great mountain biking too, we did all three," says a camper about Lake View Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk best times. Many campers report regular deer sightings near campsites. "Deer everywhere, lots of vegetation and many of the sites are shaded. The cleanest vault toilets I've every seen. Very quiet and peaceful," Jeff D. notes.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks. Mountain campgrounds often feature sloped pads. "One issue to note is that most of parking pads are not very level (to help with snow melt) in the upper campground, so it made it quite challenging to level our little camper," advises Shari G.
Road conditions: Gravel access to remote sites. Garnet Hill Camp requires careful driving for larger rigs. "It is about 3 miles on a dirt road to the trailhead. As you are approaching the trailhead, there are spur roads with some good turnouts to park," Mike G. explains.
Altitude considerations: Engine performance affected. RVs may experience reduced power at higher elevations. "High elevation can be a problem but worth it if you can handle it," notes Patricia N., highlighting the need for mechanical preparation when RV camping near Ruth, Nevada.
