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The best camping near South Fork State Recreation Area

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

Find trophy trout fishing, water play, camping, and Ruby Mountain views at this northeast Nevada gem.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near South Fork State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near South Fork State Recreation Area

Mugsby’s rest stop

1 site ¡ RV, Tent1 acre ¡ Spring Creek, NV
My land is great little peaceful getaway if you are looking for somewhere to camp or park your tv it’s about 1.12 acres with extra public land the exact coordinates are 40.761, -115.816 please use the coordinates to get to the right place it’s is a wonderful rest stop for you and anyone else interested
from 
$26
 / night

Elko RV Park

8 sites ¡ RVs10 acres ¡ Elko, NV
Elko RV Park is an RV park located at 507 Scott Road, a quick 10 minute drive from downtown Elko. Right off of I-80 at Exit 314. Each site includes Water, Sewer, and Electricity in a convenient pull thru site. Our campground is open all year and we can accommodate the largest of RV's. We do not offer primitive camping spaces. (No tents of any kind or sleeping in your vehicle.)
from 
$15
 / night
50%
(4)

Starlight Oasis Campground

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents1 acre ¡ Elko, NV
Welcome to our peaceful and rustic campsite in Elko, Nevada! Our secluded property is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.Our campsites are simple and offer a back-to-basics camping experience. Whether you're tent camping or RVing, we have the perfect site for you. Each campsite is spacious and provides a fire pit for cooking and warmth. You'll need to bring your own water, portable restroom facilities, and any other camping gear you need to make your stay comfortable.In addition to the peaceful surroundings, our campsite offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Hike through the nearby hills and take in the stunning views, or simply relax and enjoy the quiet atmosphere. And with no light pollution in the area, you'll have a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular stargazing around.We're committed to providing a welcoming and personalized experience for each of our guests. While our amenities may be basic, we believe that our campsite offers a truly unique and authentic camping experience that you won't find anywhere else.If you're looking for a rustic and peaceful camping experience in the heart of Elko, Nevada, we invite you to book your stay at our campsite today. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful property and helping you create memories that will last a lifetime!
from 
$20
 / night
100%
(1)

Post 6 Ranch

6 sites ¡ RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ Ocala, NV
2.07 acres with private river access to the humboldt river. Surrounded by the beautiful Ruby mountains and 9 local hot springs with miles and miles of hiking and atv trails. Unit 1 block 4 of the river valley ranches with private river access for fishing, hunting with proper permits okay as well. Beautiful area. * Very primitive!! No lights on property, no signs as of yet. Two acres of uncleared land, with River access. Please be prepared to camp.
from 
$20
 / night
100%
(4)

Ethereal Ranch

50 sites ¡ RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Osino, NV
22 miles from the city of Elko, remote enough to enjoy the peace and quiet, while just a short car ride to the town of Ryndon that can provide you with all of your essentials. Hundreds of acres of land to keep you busy with incredible outdoor activities. Set up your camp and enjoy your stay! Stunning views of the ruby mountain range in addition to being home to the state's only population of mountain goats, the Rubies are also home to Nevada's largest mule deer herd. All funds go to our animal sanctuary under the Ethereal Ranch Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, ranch operations and development. Animals are free-ranged and may include but not limited to livestock, domestic and exotic rescued animals.
from 
$24.99
 / night
87%
(55)

Herzog Homestead

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents16 acres ¡ Deeth, NV
Learn more about this land:This Ranch sits halfway between WELLS and Elko Nevada just off the I 80 if you go north of the next freeway exit 5 miles East of us (Exit 333 Deeth) you can drive north to Charleston or Jarbidge Nevada it’s about 50 miles to Charleston or northeast to O’Neil Basin, Taber creek, or 12 mile hot springs then to the south of us we have the Ruby Mountains and beautiful Lamoille Canyon they’re about 30 to 50 miles depending on the route you take if you go through Secret Pass and another 30 or so miles south you have the ruby marshes then we have south fork reservoir 15 miles south of Elko Wildhorse reservoir 60 miles north of Elko is Angel Lake about 40 miles away 8 miles south of Wells we also have Ruby Mountain Brewery just 15 miles south of Wells in Clover Valley plus many other beautiful places to visit
from 
$25
 / night

The best camping near South Fork State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Located near Elko in northeastern Nevada, South Fork State Recreation Area stuns with a landscape of rolling hills and meadows with the scenic Ruby Mountains as a backdrop. The highlight is the 1,600-acre South Fork Reservoir, created when the south fork of the Humboldt River was dammed. Famed for its bass and trophy trout fishing, boating, padding, and swimming are also popular on the reservoir. The park also offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, seasonal hunting, and extensive wildlife, including waterfowl. Additional amenities include two boat ramps, picnic areas, and both develop and primitive campgrounds.

Notable campgrounds

The South Fork Campground offers sites for tents and RVs, along with picnic tables, grills, fire rings, restrooms with showers, and an RV dump station.

  • Best for RVs: The East Campground offers six pull-in sites and power.
  • Best for groups: Sites 1, 25, and Tomera Cove offer group camping.
  • Best for water access: Open primitive camping is available along the southwest shore of the reservoir.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. All campsites are first-come first-served, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the day.
  2. Try visiting during the week and during off-peak and non-holiday times if your plans are flexible
  3. If traveling with a group, you can make reservations for the group camping spots.

When to go

The park is open year-round and offers outdoor recreation all year. Summers are ideal for water recreation on the reservoir. Spring and summer offer the best trout fishing, while late spring is better for bass. Fall colors can be spectacular, especially in nearby Lamoille Canyon. The campground is open from May to October, depending on the weather. Winter weather and snow can affect road and other access, though ice fishing and cross-country skiing are popular activities over the winter.

Know before you go

  • Drive only on established roads and park in designated areas.Hunting is permitted in season with a shotgun or archery only, and must be more than a quarter mile away from developed facilities.
  • Campfires are only allowed in fire rings; ground fires are not permitted.
  • Pets are welcome but must be kept on a six feet leash. 
  • A fishing license is required to fish at the reservoir; fishing regulations are also in effect.

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