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Several campgrounds near Virginia City, Nevada put you close to this historic mining town while letting you sleep under the stars. Washoe Lake State Park Campground gives you access to flush toilets and trails that start right from your site. If you need your RV hooked up, Sparks Marina RV Park sits about 25 minutes from Virginia City with full hookups and modern facilities. Bears roam these parts, so you'll need to store food properly at any campsite you choose. Most people camp here during spring and fall when temperatures stay comfortable for hiking and exploring. Summer gets pretty hot, though the lakes around Virginia City make good spots for fishing or paddling when the heat peaks. Winter camping is possible but cold, with fewer people around. The old wooden sidewalks and mining-era buildings of Virginia City make for interesting day trips from camp. Lake Mead and Hoover Dam are farther drives but worth it if you're staying several days. The combination of Nevada history and outdoor recreation makes this area good for both short and longer camping trips.
"Between Carson City, Reno, & Virginia City. 30 electricity & water."
"Could easily stay here for a few days and see all the fun things around Reno, Carson City and Virginia City. Great camp hosts, clean showers, flush toilets, garbage and dump available."
from $10 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my fav hiking locations in Nevada! I love the variety. There are different levels of hikes from easy to more difficult."
"Easy access right off the freeway but tucked into trees so you don't hear any road noise. Nice hiking trails, clean restrooms and very nice staff. Well maintained!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Some of the other parks were full so we kept driving and found this state park. There are only 10 camp sites but they are far, enough, apart."
"Stoped by for 1 night on my way through the nevada desert on a road trip. Ended up staying 2 nights. Got a quick spot with easy pay. Had great shade."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Close to the Sparks marina if you want to walk, but we were here for the Nugget rib cook-off. Just not sure on the all the rules as it seems some are followed some you can ignore."
"Very clean away from the freeway. We paid about $47 for one night for our truck camper with a veteran's discount."
"Great place to stay and visit Virginia City"
"Short walk to town with tons to do here"
"We stayed at this location during the Sparks Rib cookoff. The only reason for four stars is due to how narrow the spots are."
"The key here is location, location, location."
"The GPS coordinates tell you to turn up what looks like a four wheeler path so we obviously kept going until we found a single bump out where we were able to turn around and stayed for the night."
"I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno."
"I parked behind a hay stack and next to a picnic table where I could set up my little kitchen. There was also a clean porta potty and hand washing station which was very convenient."
"We walked along the creek and just relaxed. Very quiet and the backdrop of the mountains was beautiful."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The area in each site for tents is incredibly level and nicely bordered. Additionally, the toilets (pit) and toilet rooms are exceptionally clean."
"You are up on a summit so the only thing to cut down the wind if it gets windy is the stand of trees that the campground is situated in. There are pit toilets and water hydrants."
from $32 - $55 / night
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ScoutI’d give this campsite a 4/5 if it weren’t for the road. Maybe if you get a spot right next to the river it isn’t an issue, but if you’re not that lucky then you’re going to be stuck hearing cars go by all day and night.
ScoutI've been camping at this location for 10 years. This year the bathrooms were so disgusting it was difficult to use them. The smell was awful and we never saw the hosts clean them once in the 3 days we were there.
Also, the camp hosts were MAGA and thought they owned the place. They had 3 large dogs that at times were running around the campground off leash. We were enjoying our time in the river when her 3 big dogs and her, came to our quiet peaceful spot and just took over and her dogs were off leash and out of control. They tried to attack my small dog multiple times and she wouldn't even try to control them. She kept telling us that she's the camp host and she could do what she wanted. We had to leave because it was so chaotic. She totally ruined our good time. Then, when I tried to make a complaint to the Lake Tahoe Hospitality group who manages that campground, they did not take the event serious and even tried to kick us out because we said a curse word. I told them we were not leaving since we had done nothing wrong and to call the Sheriff. Which they did and guess who took our side. Animal control was dispatched too. And, no, we didn't have to leave. I've never seen such blatant entitlement and disregard for others using the area and enjoying nature in all my life. Pure Trash.
RangerWe stayed here 2 nights while visiting Tahoe. There were several spots to park and roads to explore. It was quiet and the surface was dirt. I found a pull through die that was easy.
LegendGeneral: 76-site campground in two sections. No utility hookups. Some sites are designated for tents only while others allow vans and small trailers or RVs. 27-foot max for RVs; 24-foot max for trailers.
Site Quality: Paved camper pad; not all are level. No designated tent pads. Site amenities include a wood picnic table, fire ring, bear box, and shelves for pots/pans and other supplies.
Bath/Shower: Basic but clean. There is a shelf above the sinks, but be careful when you are brushing your teeth or washing your face, as you can easily bump your head. Like most other California state parks, you need tokens to operate the shower (there is a token machine nearby), but I did not use the shower.
Activities/Amenities: Several hiking trails. We hiked to Hot Springs Creek Waterfall. Depending on where you start your hike, it is around 3-3.5 miles round-trip. It is easy to lose the trail as you get close to the waterfall, but it appeared there were several ways to get back to the trail. Hot springs/pool; summer schedule Wednesday– Monday with 1.5-hour sessions for $10 pp. Unfortunately, I read the pool would be closed when we planned to be here, so we didn’t arrive in time on a Monday to take advantage of it. There are two large utility sinks for laundry, but not for dishwashing.
This is a beautiful area despite damage from the most recent fire. We were there on a Monday the week before Memorial Day, and the campground was only about 10% occupied, but we were told it would be completely full the following week.
TravelerIt's a nice little spot for last minute stop on top of Mount Rose Highway Northeast of Lake Tahoe. Enough space for probably four or five rigs. It's quite busy during the day as it's a parking area for hiking National Forest land Northeast of Lake Tahoe. But after about 6:00 p.m. things calm down. I would call it semi-flat depending on what spot you're parked in. Road noise can be a bit of an issue until about 10:00 at night, and then things quiet down. The night we parked here there were four of us a Class A, Class C, and two vans. And it's very pleasant at night gets down into the 40s during the summer months. I would not attempt to park here during the winter time unless there is no snow.
TravelerFeel like you’re in the woods all while being right in the smack of town! There is even a little coffee trailer that is AMAZING! All the amenities with a rustic feel. We will definitely be back!
GuideOverall a good value. Plenty of trees. good hiking trails.
GuideBoca is a comfortable little USFS campground with nice lake views.
Some of the sites and their trees are oriented a little uncomfortably for me, but I was able to back my trailer in a way that probably wasn't originally intended and open up enough room for my tow vehicle.
They have picnic tables at every site that I've seen and food storage, trash storage, bear lockers at every site.
There's gunfire across the reservoir, but I scarcely even noticed it and I'm very sensitive to it.
The camp hosts seem pretty unobtrusive.
The sites aren't particularly level, but with a few blocks I was able to get mine close enough.
I was in site number four, which is just a stone's throw from the bathrooms and dumpster. I'm self-contained, so I didn't bother looking at the bathrooms.
It's a very quiet campground. In fact, I was feeling guilty about running my generator half the time.
It was completely booked, so I was only able to get a couple of nights here, but I would certainly stay here again. Moderate levels of shade midday in July, but 83F sure beats 108F in the valley! From Site 4 I had a very clear view to the north, so I had great coverage with Starlink, at least 120 megabits; doing work was certainly a reality for me.
Checkout time is noon, and that's coming up quickly. So, thus ends my review for the moment.
[Edit] One more detail worth mentioning: as I was hitching up to leave, a doe and two fawns wandered through the trees right near the site, completely nonchalant. They weren’t begging, approaching, or acting habituated in a bad way, just quietly moving through the forest like I happened to be parked in their campground. It was a lovely little sendoff and exactly the kind of moment that makes a site memorable.
GuideThe place is really beautiful. There are many roads to explore but they are quite sandy. I tried to stay in the staging area which has very nice views of the rock formations but it is not leveled at all so I moved to the smaller staging area, closer to Reno. I really needed to have cell phone signal and it was too spotty but the moon rocks. Beautiful drive to get there too.
Dispersed camping options near Virginia City, Nevada provide alternative experiences to the established campgrounds in the area. These sites sit at elevations between 5,000-6,500 feet where summer temperatures can reach 90°F during the day but cool significantly at night. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing nights and potential snow, especially at higher elevations like BLM Flattop.
Hike Mount Rose Summit: Access hiking trails from Mount Rose Campground with views of Reno and surrounding mountains. "Nearby Relay Peak and Mt Rose summit are great hikes," notes camper Nile B. The campground provides a convenient base for multiple trailheads.
Visit wild horses: Stay at Washoe Lake State Park Campground where you might spot wild horses. "Wild horses roaming camp, quiet & clean," reports Jayne N. Winter visitors can still enjoy wildlife viewing as Andrew R. mentions, "Hiking is nice right from the campground and wild horses graze not far away."
Meet alpacas: For a unique experience, camp at Olde LYFE Alpacas on Davis Ranch where you can interact with alpacas. "There were so many alpacas, all very cute and friendly!" writes Lindsay B. The ranch offers a working farm experience with "tons of other animals to check out during your stay."
Winter camping access: Unlike many mountain campgrounds, some Virginia City area sites remain open year-round. At Washoe Lake State Park, "Winter camping is available on Loop A with full power hookups on a first come, first serve basis. Bathrooms are open all winter," according to Andrew R.
Urban-wilderness balance: The Reno View Dispersed site offers unique city views while camping. "An awesome view of the lights of Reno," reports Tyler C., though he cautions about road conditions: "The road is a beast. I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck."
Spacious sites: Davis Creek Regional Park gets high marks for site layout. "The sites were well spaced under the mature pines. So quiet and peaceful," writes Michael M. Another camper notes, "Very shady as it sits in a grove of tall mature pines."
Fire restrictions: Check current fire rules before your trip. Many dispersed sites have seasonal restrictions. At Reno View Dispersed, fires are not permitted, while Tyler C. notes it "can be very windy" which increases fire danger.
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Some of the best camping locations require tough driving. BLM Flattop has challenging access: "The road starts out as a nice, easy fire road, gets a little rocky, and then by mile 6 or 7 it goes full blown rock garden," reports Kevin.
Seasonal closures: Verify campground status before traveling. Dayton State Park Campground is typically open year-round, but some sites close seasonally. Mount Rose Campground has limited operating season: "We were up there at the gate last Sunday 7/7/19 And the campsite was closed down the road look like no one had been on it."
Bathroom availability: Choose campgrounds with appropriate facilities. Dayton State Park Campground offers "bathrooms with flush toilets," according to John T., though he notes it's "very close to US HWY 50, and the road noise reflects that."
Age restrictions at casino RV parks: Some family-friendly amenities have unexpected limitations. At Sparks Marina RV Park, one visitor notes: "My children and I could not enjoy the amenities. Kids must be 18 to enjoy the spa even if accompanied by adults, had a great club house with a pool table but kids must be 14 to play."
Nature exploration opportunities: Davis Creek Regional Park offers family-friendly hiking options. "There are different levels of hikes from easy to more difficult. There are lots of trees with excellent shade and you can't beat the views of Washoe Valley when you get to the top," reports Lindsay B.
RV age restrictions: Some parks limit older RVs. Leah T. warns about Sparks Marina RV Park: "There is NO mention of an age restriction on their website... But they WILL take the reservation online, take your money, then call to check the age of your rig. If you are honest, you are screwed."
Hookup availability in winter: For winter RV camping, know which utilities remain active. At Gold Dust West RV Park, "Spaces are a bit tight but easily doable. Laundry and showers very clean," says Gregg K. Another winter visitor to Washoe Lake notes: "We paid $25 instead of the full $30 required for an out-of-state vehicle at a hookup site. I think $5 was taken off since the water at the sites was still shut off."
Site dimensions: Virginia City RV Park has space limitations. "The whole park is tight with it looks like 50% long term residents who don't keep their sites very tidy," reports Kim G., adding "Just not our scene as it was too crowded."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds near Virginia City, NV?
Several campground options exist within a short drive of Virginia City. Virginia City RV Park is located directly in town, offering basic full hookups and convenient access to historic attractions. For those seeking public lands camping, Samuel Buckland Campground — Fort Churchill State Historic Park is about an hour away in Silver Springs, offering a quieter experience with fire rings and picnic tables. Other nearby options include Dayton State Park Campground, which has sites with tables and fire rings, though some visitors note issues with cleanliness. For those willing to venture further, Davis Creek Regional Park near New Washoe City provides reservable sites with water and toilets within driving distance of Virginia City.
Are there RV parks available in Virginia City, Nevada?
Silver City RV Resort is a popular option near Virginia City, offering wide spaces, level pull-through sites, and convenient access to Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, and Reno. The resort features recent upgrades including privacy fences between sites, clean showers, and an onsite store. Another option is Gold Dust West RV Park, which provides full hookups and serves as an excellent base for exploring the region. Though some note the sites are narrow, this park offers amenities including clean bathrooms, a casino, and a 32-lane bowling alley. Both parks provide good jumping-off points for exploring Virginia City and other nearby attractions.
What is the difference between camping options in Virginia City, Nevada versus Virginia City, Montana?
Virginia City, Nevada camping is characterized by high desert terrain with several RV-focused options. The area features primarily developed RV parks with full hookups, though sites tend to be small and close together. No fires are typically allowed due to the arid conditions, and high winds can be common. The Nevada location offers easy access to Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Carson City. In contrast, Virginia City, Montana camping offers more traditional outdoor experiences with proximity to national forest lands. Kit Carson Campground represents the type of mountain camping available in the Montana region, with riverside sites in valleys surrounded by stone walls. While Nevada options focus on convenience and amenities, Montana camping typically provides more scenic natural settings with better opportunities for tent camping and outdoor recreation.
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