Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, near Austin, Nevada, is a unique camping spot that offers a blend of history and nature. With its proximity to the ghost town of Berlin and the world’s largest collection of ichthyosaur fossils, it’s a fantastic place for families and history buffs alike.

The campground features clean sites with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for enjoying a meal outdoors or roasting marshmallows under the stars. Visitors have noted the peaceful atmosphere, with many appreciating the well-maintained facilities, including vault toilets and water spigots scattered throughout the area. One camper remarked, “The facilities were spotless, didn’t expect that level of cleanliness in a campsite.”

For those eager to explore, there are several hiking trails that wind through the stunning landscape, offering opportunities to discover fossils and enjoy the breathtaking views of the valley. Kids will love the short trek to the fossil house, and biking around the park is a great way to soak in the scenery. Just be sure to bring cash for the self-serve pay station, as it’s a straightforward $15 per night.

While the drive to the campground can be a bit bumpy, the remote location adds to its charm, making it an ideal retreat for a weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking to unwind or dive into some local history, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park has plenty to offer.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Searching for the best camping near Round Mountain, NV? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Round Mountain, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Round Mountain, NV. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Round Mountain

The Best Camping Near Round Mountain, Nevada

This campground exceeded our expectations on many levels. Don't let the arid scenery fool you on your drive toward the park as there is plenty of shade at most of the campsites. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a herd of mule-tail deer! There are 14 campsites available with a few of them with RV access. We were there mid-week so there weren't more than 3 other campers there during our stay. The established tent areas were grated and level. Our 5-person tent fit perfectly in the designated space between the trees. The picnic area was covered and clean. There were a few nails available to hang our lanterns. We chose to leave the rain guard off and enjoyed viewing the galaxy from inside, stargazing and watching satellites fly across the sky all night. It definitely cools off at night, with temps dropping to upper 40s in mid-September. The bathrooms were pit stalls, but they were very clean and maintained.

Aside from the excellent condition of the campgrounds, there are a few hiking trails available and an old mining ghost town that the kids loved exploring. The fossil house was closed when we were there, but the park ranger sought us out and offered to open it up for us to visit, which was awesome!

The only downside to our trip here, was someone stole our National Park pass while we were on a short hike to the cemetery. I guess the lesson learned is no matter how few people are around, always lock your vehicle.

Excellent Dark Sky Retreat

What an amazing campground, everything was perfect.  There are 15 spots to pick from, a few of them give you an amazing view of the sunset.  The facilities were spotless, didn't expect that level of cleanliness in a campsite.  All of the campsites have a covered shelter and picnic table.  Was surprised to see that one of the park rangers came by and washed down the picnic table soon after some campers left.

  

The best part was the kids started getting bored, as they do, in the afternoon.  We went and bought a deck of cards from the fossil center.  The lady chatted with the kids for a bit and told them that when she got off she would bring the kids a board game.  Sure enough, after her shift she drove up to our campsite and left the kids one of her board games.  

  

This campsite will not disappoint, we will be back for sure!!

Beyond words

An off the beaten path experience for anyone who loves ghost towns or fossils. The old 1800s ghost town of Berlin, Nevada provides the entrance to this unique camping experience. A short trail from the campground leads up to the fossil house where one can view the remains of the largest collection of Ichthyosaurs (ancient marine mammals) ever found. Most of the camping sites are pull through and there are very clean vault toilets throughout the campground. The only drawback for us is the fact that this campground does not accept reservations. After a long days drive we were lucky to find one of the last two spots, but under other circumstances it would’ve been difficult as there are no other camping areas nearby. Remember to bring cash for the self-serve pay station. $15 per night. Also, if you use a GPS to head toward Tonopah after camping here, be warned that you may end up on primitive roads for many miles. Even though the distance is longer, it would be safer to go back to the highway.  Let’s just say we had that primitive road experience, and not in a four-wheel drive vehicle 😬

Travel Back in Time

This campground is out in the middle of no where!

Nice campsites, gravel with tables, shade and fire pits.  The drive out here is something, make sure you have enough gas.

The road is paved for all but the last 5 miles.

Hard to get to, but worth it

Located about 3 hours outside of Reno or 2 from Tonopah, this campsite sits adjacent to the well preserved ghost town of Berlin and the world’s largest collection of ichthyosaur fossils. The campsites are located halfway up one of the hills overlooking the vast valley (gorgeous!). This campsite only has about 14 sites that are not reservable and it’s a trek-and-a-half to get out there so keep your fingers crossed you get a site! Last 5 miles are on a decent washboard dirt road. Vault toilets were decently clean. Dump and fresh water available. Perfect spot for a 3-4 day getaway. Would recommend 1 full day to observe Berlin and ichthyosaurus and 1 full day exploring and looking for fossils. Word of advice, phone GPS apps will try to lead you MILES across dirt roads in attempt to get you there the fastest, DON’T DO IT! Take the main highways: Lincoln HWY to 361 around to NV State Route 884 (the last paved road to the campsite). It will actually save you hours and tons wear and tear on your vehicle and RV/Trailer. 

Remote Nevada

This park has been closed since April 29th, no notice as to the reason. 

Closed, no information. 

The park is remote, but still only 2.5 hours from downtown Reno.

The road in is a bit bumpy and the last 4 miles is gravel albeit fairly well maintained (a few avoidable pot holes).

The campground itself was super clean and quiet. We visited on a busy holiday weekend and found one other camper on site. Plenty of water spigots and out toilets. Get a spot up high to enjoy the sunset!!

Exploring the Berlin mining town and fossil museum is a must for the kids! Bring bikes as it is a great way to get around the park.

There are several short and longer trails to explore at your own pace. 

Overall was a great place for a one to two night stay.

Remote, quiet, clean. Great for kids!

Wow. The night sky was awesome.  Sites are a bit tricky to level an rv but not impossible.  Clean pit toilets and water close by. Berlin ghost town was fun and interesting, as was the Ichtheesaur fossil exhibit. Great time camping. 
 

Dark sky camping 

This was our 2nd time here. The campground is remote and peaceful. Sites are spacious but are spread out around a hillside resulting in very unlevel sites. We were in site 12 with a 29' travel trailer. Our hitch was almost on the ground to be level to the back of the railer where we had to put blocks under one of the tires. There were only a few sites that would accommodate a rig our size. More level spots were 13 and 14. The rest of the sites were not deep enough for long rigs. I highly recommend doing the ranger talk at the fossil house, Our ranger was a great speaker and explained a lot. The "ghost" town is very well preserved and tended to nicely. E-bikes are nice to use to zip around to different site in the park. The 2 miles of dirt road was graded nicely, but you have to watch out for the potholes in the paved road meeting the dirt road. There is only 1 gas station in Gabbs which has limited hours (if it's closed ask in the bar for the station to open).

Photos of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Real photos from real campers