Best Tent Camping near Wells, NV

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. It can cause some confusing situations. Aside from that, the area is gorgeous and there is so much to do here. It isn’t too far off the beaten path compared to other campgrounds in the area, so a good solution for a family reunion or something where different campers have different comfort levels. There is potable water and vault toilets available but no hookups.

Found this gem from a billboard that seemed too good to be true: $14/night for a spot with showers and laundry. We called to check it out and made a reservation. While it may not look like much, fourteen dollars was well worth the price. The spots have 30/50amp hookups, potable water, and sewer. The showers were hot with amazing pressure. The laundry facility was large and the washers/dryers worked well. It’s close to the highway and train tracks, but we didn’t really notice the noise. There is no WiFi, but our phone service was great. Would absolutely stay again.

Stayed in site 13 which was just enough driveway space and able to level with chocks. Beautiful view to the East. Quiet while we were here. Road in can be quite steep so just a few campers/trailers, no mega RVs. 

While shrubby aspens mean no shade, there is quite a bit of privacy. Lake is nice and easily accessible from campground. 

Sites 19 and 22 are FCFS and quite nice, 22 sits right on the creek and 19 doesn't have a concrete parking barrier so better access to site for vehicle. Decent views. Site 12 has water spigot right alongside and decent views. Site XX has VERY limited parking, tent only. 

Food aside: Dinner was freeze-dried mango sticky rice with pre-cooked and reheated chicken with roasted hatch green chiles. Took 35 min to cook, but yum! Low/medium FQ (fart quotient). Breakfast was omelet with cheese, hash brown, bacon and green chile burritos. Dinner was Sprouts Hatch chile mac and cheese with extra cheese and jerky, including hatch jerky.

20 miles of dirt road road puts you fairly remote. If you don’t mind a few washboards for a $2 a night stay it is well worth the travel. Past an old homestead that was over a hundred years old, not far from 12 mile hot springs and the Jarbidge Wilderness. Great trails leaving camp where you could hike and use ATVs all day without running out of country to explore. Campground was quiet and had only 1 other group camped up higher. Lower spots have willows, upper spots have a few aspens with all spots right next to a creek that was running in late summer that you can hear running from your camp. Green, mowed grass which was nice. Tables could use a refinish and one site actually had a table in the creek. Did not go in any of the three bathrooms stretched along the creek but I would guess they could use some TLC due to the lack of management presence. No fires were allowed in the fire pits due to fire season but it had rained for 2 nights and no one from the BLM had changed the restriction. No cell phone service. No WiFi. Pack out you own trash and waste water. No water available. For $2 a night with endless country to explore it isn’t bad at all.