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The best camping near Cave Lake State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cave Lake adventure.

100% (2 reviews)
100% (2 reviews)

With a 32-acre lake surrounded by mountains and trees, this Nevada park offers a scenic getaway.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Cave Lake State Park

98%
(92)

Schellraiser

90 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres ¡ Mc Gill, NV
The Schellraiser music festival offers a variety of seasonal camping options on our 80-acre private campground in the cool high desert of far Eastern Nevada's Steptoe Valley, near the small town of McGill. Our Lotus Belle-brand bell tents are solar powered and fully furnished, with king-, queen- and twin-size beds, Avocado-brand mattresses, rugs, loveseats, floor lamps, charging ports and wi-fi service. Our campground also features two solar-powered shipping container homes with bathrooms and rooftop decks; the larger of the two homes also has a small kitchen area. Car camping and pitch-your-own-tent sites without power are available, as well, as are furnished yurts without power. We currently have a heated six-unit restroom/shower trailer on site. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: We are totally off-grid, in an extremely remote part of rural Eastern Nevada. To reach our campground, you must travel eight-tenths of a mile off the main highway, on a dirt road that is susceptible to flooding from record snowmelt from April to mid-July. Drivers with Teslas and other low-clearance vehicles are strongly advised to look elsewhere for lodging; Subaru drivers may actually enjoy the brief trip out. PLEASE READ ALL CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS, OUR FIRE BAN ADVISORY AND CAMPGROUND RULES BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR STAY WITH US. ABOUT THE AREA: Schellraiser is just minutes away from the High Schells and Bristlecone wilderness areas, and within an hour's drive of Nevada's wildest mountain and desert scenery. High peaks, rugged canyons, wild rock formations, natural hot springs and ghost towns are all around us, and the surrounding area is teeming with wildlife, including the state's largest elk herd. ABOUT US: We're the home base of the annual Schellraiser micro-fest, which brings bands like Dinosaur Jr., Blonde Redhead, Asleep At The Wheel, The Joy Formidable, Blitzen Trapper, Old 97's, Houndmouth, Death Valley Girls, Titus Andronicus, Nikki Lane, Shannon Shaw and BRONCHO to the nearby McGill Pool Park each June.
from 
$18
 / night
100%
(1)

Teebos Campground

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Ely, NV
This is a 5 acre piece of land, where you will find your basic camp ground set up with a main house that we live in right as you come through the gates. We are offering two back in sites and an RV rental. And soon a tiny cabin We love dogs but please keep them on a leash, and pick up their mess! Propane fires are allowed at each site, ( not provided) Just a few miles back into town you'll find the town aquatic center, and a few basic stores. ( grocery, sports, ranch,) Ely has Bowling, Golf, Team Roping events during the summer, a couple small museums. If needed there is a small dog boarding facility in town, that partners with a vet clinic. Which offers emergency calls if needed. Go see the famous ghost train right in town. or take a trip over to Baker Nevada for some great Hiking up Mount Wheeler (great basin national park)!
from 
$20
 / night
100%
(16)

Hidden Canyon's Glamping Cabins

5 sites ¡ Lodging375 acres ¡ Baker, NV
Want a unique glamping experience close to Great Basin National Park? Hidden Canyon is it. Located 19 miles from Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park, Hidden Canyon a sprawling 375 acres. Walk the land, sit in the orchards, watch the deer and turkeys roam, swim in the pool, shop in the small grocery store, get back in touch with nature, while still enjoying some creature comforts. This entire area is known for its night sky, so sit back and watch the show.Hidden Canyon is in Nevada but the closest town for reference is Garrison, Utah. A seven mile dirt/gravel road is required to access the property. 4x4 is not necessary.
from 
$75
 / night

The best camping near Cave Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

Cave Lake State Park is one of those parks you would never guess is in Nevada—surrounded by wooded hills and tucked into a lush canyon, the area looks like it could perhaps be in Colorado instead. Despite its off-the-beaten-path status near the small town of Ely in eastern Nevada, Cave Lake is a destination in itself with several hiking trails, mountain biking opportunities, and a namesake lake wonderful for fishing, boating, swimming, and kayaking. (It’s even open for winter ice fishing.) Choose a spot at one of the park’s two campgrounds to experience Cave Lake for a few days.

Notable campgrounds

  • Elk Flat Campground is open seasonally from May to October and features large, level sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Full bathrooms, water spigots, and showers are available.
  • Lake View Campground is open year-round with large campsites, flush toilets, and showers.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Cave Lake does not accept advance reservations except for the group area campsites. Each campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  2. Because of its remote location, Cave Lake campsites are typically available even during weekends and high season.

When to go

The best time to go to Cave Lake is during the late summer and fall when roads are open and the trees are turning colors. Because of the high altitude and lake, summers are nice and cool at Cave Lake. Spring can bring some last-minute snowstorms, and in winter, the Elk Flat Campground is closed. Even still, winter sports such as ice fishing and snowmobiling are popular at Cave Lake.

Know before you go

  • Because both Cave Lake campgrounds are located up in the mountains and accessed via unpaved roads, they may close in inclement weather.
  • Cave Lake is set about an hour’s drive north of the only national park in Nevada: Great Basin National Park. This renowned International Dark Sky Park is known for its limited light pollution and amazing stargazing, plus its hike to the top of the 13,000-foot Wheeler Peak, which offers views into both the Utah and Nevada wilderness.
  • The nearest area with services is the historic railroad town of Ely.

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