1 campground with availability next weekend
Tent camping options near Yerington, Nevada include several primitive sites across public lands and established campgrounds. Wilson Canyon offers tent camping with direct river access, accommodating both drive-in and walk-in tent setups. Desert Creek Campground provides basic tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings in a more structured setting, while Lahontan State Recreation Area offers tent camping along reservoir shorelines.
Most tent sites in the Yerington area feature minimal amenities and preparation is essential. Wilson Canyon provides trash receptacles but no potable water or toilet facilities, requiring campers to bring sufficient supplies. Desert Creek Campground offers pit toilets and picnic tables, but campers report facilities are often in poor condition. According to one visitor, "The spots are cramped and on top of each other" with most sites positioned "right next to the rock, cobbled dirt trail." Summer temperatures can be extreme, and sudden wind conditions may challenge tent stability, particularly at exposed sites like Lahontan.
The tent camping experience varies significantly across locations. Sites near water like Wilson Canyon allow cooling off during hot summer months. A review mentioned that "In the summer, the swimming hole across the road is so nice!" Sites at higher elevations provide cooler temperatures and mountain views. Reno View Dispersed camping, though requiring a challenging drive (not suitable for standard vehicles), rewards tent campers with panoramic night views of city lights. Tent campers should note that goathead thorns are prevalent in some areas, potentially puncturing tent floors and making barefoot walking hazardous. Most tent sites operate on a first-come basis, with weekday arrivals offering the best chance for securing preferred locations, particularly during summer months.
"It was a pretty drive through rural western Nevada, which ended in a four mile graded dirt road. I was driving an SUV with high clearance, but the road is suitable for RVs if you take it slow. "
from $10 / night
"Easy place to camp had a low sports car and still no issues, near a main road but minimal noise with a faster running river. Bathroom and trash near depending on where your at."
"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."
"Had the whole place to ourselves……and the roaming Alpacas of course 😁 Park anywhere you want in the designated circular driveway on flat grass and dirt. We walked along the creek and just relaxed."
from $25 - $50 / night
"It was perfect weather and we hiked to the town of Markleeville which is the cutest town ever! The camp host was super nice and a beautiful stream runs next to some spots. "
"Close to Markleeville and convenient to pop over to the town and pick up things from the general store. The campground is small and it’s more of a “passing through” spot."
from $18 / night
"Great location to the TRT. Stayed here the night before getting on the TRT. Very quiet and plenty of sites open. Down side is all the used TP along the logs."
"About 12 sites near the Big meadow trailhead. they fill fast! no water, but pit toilet, garbage, fire rings and tables"
"We stayed here just after the campground opened for the season, the upper campgrounds were still closed but lower blue lakes was open. We had the entire campground to ourselves."
"Large grass area that looked like it could be for camping, it was on top of the lake overlooking it. It was absolutely beautiful. Didnt see any campers but it didn’t say don’t camp here."
"And we were pleasantly surprised to find a nice spot overlooking the lake."
LegendI don't know if I'm here for an event or not, but this place is crowded. There must be 200 campers and 4 times that of the OHV vehicles. You pay by a week. So, if you want to camp, it's $44 for a week and there is essentially pit toilets and trash and nothing else, so you would come with everything, but I think for most people who are looking for camp spots, this is very specific.
LegendVery cute rv campground with a lot of unique style. Not much around the area and it is actually kind of creepy with the military all around. Very close to the highway.
LegendGorgeous views, perfect spots
LegendNice facility, close to the hwy so you have some road noise.
LegendRight next to a major highway and pretty noisy.
Scout
TravelerSuper clean and nice facility
TravelerWe received an email receipt with no bathroom code of parking number. There were no directions for what to do when we got there. We got there after hours. The listing said 50 and we were charged 77
GuideFree hot showers and dump station. Drinking water covered tables, very clean and close to Carson City and Reno. Virginia City and Tahoe
Tent camping near Yerington, Nevada offers primitive sites on high desert terrain ranging from 4,500 to 8,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures often exceed 95°F during daytime hours while dropping below 60°F overnight, creating wide temperature swings campers must prepare for. Water sources are scarce throughout the region, with sites near creeks or reservoirs commanding premium positions during peak camping season.
Water recreation at reservoirs: The Developed 7 — Lahontan State Recreation Area provides water-based recreation opportunities approximately 40 miles northeast of Yerington. According to one camper, "It is probably very lively here in the summer and weekends, but during the week in October there was hardly anyone here." Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with another visitor noting, "We camped 2021 at beach 7 and it wasn't too bad we were in a tent but the water was low in lake just Carson river running to dam."
Creek fishing access: Wilson Canyon offers creek fishing opportunities with direct water access from primitive tent sites. The river access points provide fishing in deeper pools, with one visitor mentioning it has "Room for everyone, while lots of track to cover." Fishing is best in early morning or evening hours when temperatures are cooler.
Hiking nearby trails: For tent campers seeking elevation and exercise, established trails are accessible near most camping areas. At Luther Pass, campers appreciate "Great access to the TRT and close to Lake Tahoe." The site provides convenient access to multiple trail systems with one reviewer noting it has "Several trailheads in the area for longer hikes and day trips."
Waterfront tent locations: Riverside tent spots rank among the most sought-after sites. A Wilson Canyon visitor described it as "Right next to the water. Good for tubing. Not so much for swimming." Tent campers particularly appreciate these water-adjacent sites during summer months when daytime temperatures frequently exceed 90°F.
Night sky viewing: Tent campers praise the stargazing opportunities in this low light-pollution region. Reno View Dispersed offers panoramic views where "an awesome view of the lights of Reno" creates a dramatic backdrop for stargazing. The elevated position provides unobstructed sky viewing, though "the road is a beast" according to reviewers.
Wildlife encounters: Many campers report wildlife sightings as a highlight. At Olde LYFE Alpacas on Davis Ranch, campers enjoy a unique experience with "free-range Alpaca farm with tons of other animals to check out during your stay." Another visitor mentioned, "The alpacas were plentiful, the views were good and it made for a good night."
Road conditions limit access: Many tent camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. At Reno View Dispersed, a camper warned "I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. You'll regret it." Another visitor confirmed the challenging access, stating the road is "worth the view" but requires appropriate vehicles.
Goathead thorns hazard: Plant hazards pose risks to tent floors and bare feet at certain sites. At Reno View, a camper cautioned "Would not suggest walking barefoot, tent camping or bringing dogs up here. The bottoms of our shoes looked like a warzone and when we laid down in our tents we were pricked by goatheads."
Extreme wind conditions: Wind poses significant challenges for tent camping in exposed areas. At Desert Creek Campground, campsites are positioned in a "volcanic, willow lined canyon" that can channel winds. Tent stakes often pull out of the sandy soil during sudden gusts, requiring supplemental anchoring with rocks or heavier objects.
Accessible creek play areas: Locations with safe water access provide natural entertainment for children. Wilson Canyon offers accessible creek areas where "the swimming hole across the road" provides cooling opportunities during hot weather. Sites adjacent to creeks allow for supervised water play while maintaining camp proximity.
Animal encounter opportunities: Families seeking educational experiences can camp at Olde LYFE Alpacas, where one visitor reported "I walked along the creek and just relaxed. Very quiet and the backdrop of the mountains was beautiful." Another noted the ranch owner was "very welcoming and friendly" making it suitable for family camping.
Site spacing considerations: Select sites with adequate separation from neighboring campers. At Desert Creek Campground, one camper observed "the spots are cramped and on top of each other" with most sites positioned "right next to the rock, cobbled dirt trail," making it less suitable for families needing space to spread out.
Sand hazards at water sites: RVers report challenging ground conditions at water-adjacent sites. At Lahontan State Recreation Area, a visitor warned "Almost got stuck in the sand while trying to find a spot level enough to park. Many people had dug out around their trailer to get the slides out." Tent campers using vehicles to access sites face similar challenges.
Limited hookup availability: Most camping areas near Yerington provide no hookups or amenities for RVs. One Lahontan visitor noted "No hook ups, they do have a dump station and community water faucets. Vault toilets in many locations, no designated camping spaces." RVers commonly use "construction generators to power their rigs" at sites lacking electrical connections.
Off-season advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides better site selection. According to a Lahontan camper, "Midweek and mid September- plenty of sites even in the non primitive campsites. Beautiful view- very quiet; clean bathrooms." These lower-use periods offer more secluded tent camping experiences with reduced competition for premium sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Yerington, NV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Yerington, NV is River Bend Campground — Walker River State Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Yerington, NV?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Yerington, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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