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River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area

5 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Lahontan State Recreation Area's River Camp sits along the Carson River in the high desert outside Fallon, Nevada, operating as one of the more developed options within a park that otherwise leans heavily toward dispersed, find-your-own-spot camping. Drive-in access and a $10 nightly fee (non-residents report paying closer to $15–$20) keep the barrier to entry low, and reservations are available for those who want to plan ahead. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, firewood is available on-site, and alcohol is permitted.

The river-adjacent setting draws boaters, anglers, and jet-ski enthusiasts, and the broader recreation area can get crowded, particularly in summer when heat builds and shade is limited. The cottonwood and willow trees along the water provide some cover, but campers expecting dense forest shade will find the desert exposure more demanding. Cell service is generally workable, with reviewers logging two to three bars on both AT&T and Verizon. Noise from neighboring sites, including generators running late, has come up in more than one review.

Restroom facilities run to pit toilets or porta-potties depending on where you land in the campground. C&E notes the toilets were "clean but they need emptying pretty badly," so condition can vary by season and visitation volume. Some sites offer pull-through access, and RVs up to 30 feet are accommodated, though there are no hookups. Campers looking for more developed infrastructure nearby can compare places to camp near Lahontan State Recreation Area or check the Dispersed Campgrounds — Lahontan State Recreation Area just to the southwest. River Camp works best for self-sufficient campers comfortable with basic facilities and open desert conditions.

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Map & DirectionsRiver Camp is located in Nevada near Silver Springs

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Address

16799 Lahontan Dam Road
Fallon, NV 89406

Coordinates

39.464436 N
119.06203349 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/5/26

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Presented byHershey's

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/5/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Alcohol
  • Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - River Camp

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3.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Guests commonly noted basic but functional sites with standard amenities in a desert reservoir setting. Some feedback indicated noise issues from generators and neighbors. The majority of campers found it suitable for simple camping needs at reasonable rates.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Apr. 15, 2026

Camp sites are not standard

Each site has its own charm. Some at the creekside, some pull through sites. The park has the lake and beaches. Great walking, access to all the lake amenities.

Site8
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Larry H., April 15, 2026
  • Review photo of River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Larry H., April 15, 2026
  • Review photo of River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Larry H., April 15, 2026
Reviewed Nov. 18, 2025

It's O.K.

For $15 you can tent camp. You get a trash can and a porta-potty. It is probably a nice spot in the summer, but all I had was trashed RV's and obnoxiously loud generators all around me. The bonus was when the neighbor started looking for his dog at 3am and was screaming his name for 10 minutes.

Site1
Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2025

Great overnight stop

We needed a place to crash on our way home to the east coast. This place was perfect . Not too far off the road. $20 for non residents. We found ourselves alone in this beautiful, quiet spot. Level ground, and it looks like we will be able to get water for the clean tank. Pit toilets are clean but they need emptying pretty badly. Some trash strewn about. But otherwise, met our needs exactly.

Site2
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 15, 2020

Does the job...

Sites are basic, which is fine by me. Sites are spread out and you have privacy from your neighbors. Sites have a picnic bench and a fire pit. There are Porta potties.

Today 9/14/2020 extremely smoky air from surrounding fires. Pesky annoying swarming bugs in the evening.

3 bars for ATT 3G 2 bars for Verizon 3G

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Apr. 29, 2018

No Frills

Lahontan is an acquired taste. If you're looking for a cool "forest" experience, shady pines, and easy-breezy camping then this is NOT the place for you. It's a huge man-made reservoir in the desert. It gets very hot in the dead of summer and shade is limited in many areas. The trees are mainly cottonwood and willow. Most of the camping areas are not formally developed and you just kind of have to "cop a squat" if you can find a decent spot. The area is hugely popular with boating, fishing, and jet-ski enthusiasts so the beaches and the lake can get very crowded. The restrooms in some areas are BASIC - some would even call them "outhouses". Others are much less primitive. There is one developed camp ground on the Silver Springs side (no RV hook-ups).

I grew up camping, boating, and fishing at Lahontan so it has a soft spot in my heart. Just know that it's not for every one.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Tina B., April 29, 2018
  • Review photo of River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Tina B., April 29, 2018
  • Review photo of River Camp — Lahontan State Recreation Area by Tina B., April 29, 2018
Showing results 1-5 of 5 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Lahontan State Recreation Area campgrounds?

Lahontan State Recreation Area campgrounds offer basic amenities suitable for a desert reservoir setting. Sites at River Camp feature picnic benches and fire pits, providing essential camping facilities. Portable toilets are available for restroom needs. The campsites are well-spaced, offering good privacy from neighboring campers. Shade is limited in many areas, especially during summer months. For specific facility updates or seasonal changes, contact the Nevada State Parks department before your visit.

Where can I find a map of Lake Lahontan campgrounds?

Maps of Lake Lahontan campgrounds are available through the Nevada State Parks website or by contacting the park office directly. You can also obtain physical maps at the park entrance station or visitor center when you arrive. For planning purposes, check with the Nevada Division of State Parks for the most current and detailed maps showing all camping areas, facilities, and access points around the reservoir.

Where is Lahontan State Recreation Area located near Fallon, Nevada?

Lahontan State Recreation Area is situated near Fallon in western Nevada. This large reservoir lies in the desert region and serves as a popular recreation destination for the area. The River Camp section is one of several camping areas around this man-made body of water. For exact driving directions from Fallon, check with Nevada State Parks or use GPS coordinates available on their official website.

What do visitors say in reviews about Lahontan State Recreation Area?

Visitors describe Lahontan as "an acquired taste" - not your typical forested camping experience. The large man-made desert reservoir offers spacious, private sites that are basic but functional. Campers appreciate the separation between sites and the included picnic benches and fire pits. Summer heat can be intense with limited shade. Evening insect activity can be bothersome at times. Cell coverage for AT&T shows around 3 bars of service. This destination tends to appeal more to those seeking a desert reservoir experience rather than traditional forest camping.

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