The best camping in Walker River State Recreation Area, NV

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Cabins, campgrounds, and high desert adventure await in the Walker River State Recreation Area.  

The best camping near Walker River State Recreation Area, NV

No matching sites in the park — explore these options nearby.
Willow Springs Resort

3. Willow Springs Resort

97%
(115)
46mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 29 sites · RVs, Lodging · Bridgeport, CA
Welcome to Willow Springs Resort Please come stay with us when you are visiting the beautiful Eastern Sierras. Willow Springs Resort is located five miles south of Bridgeport, California, in the heart of the Eastern Sierra premiere outdoor recreational region. Although you’re sure to unplug with all there is to do around here, our guests have access to some of the best Wi-Fi in the area. The facility is a small 50’s era motel and RV park with all the amenities one normally expects. We are a pet-friendly facility. We love pets and welcome them in our RV park but not in our motel rooms (with the exception of service animals). Willow Springs Resort was built 70 years ago and is still owned and operated by the same family. That family prides itself on operating a peaceful, beautiful, and clean vacation destination. The fish at the left was caught in Virginia Creek, which is just across the highway from Willow Springs! There are a host of activities to enjoy in the "big backyard" of this Sierra Nevada paradise. Whether you enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, swimming, or 4-wheeling, or want to take a photo class or tour of Bodie Ghost Town, the area offers it all. If you prefer to read a book or catch a falling star, meet new people, and share stories at the campfire, Willow Springs Resort is here to welcome you!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$50
 / night
Natural Time Retreat Center...

4. Natural Time Retreat Center...

35mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 1 site · RV · Gardnerville Ranchos, NV
Gardnerville Ranchos is a desert oasis located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains forty minutes from Lake Tahoe. Our property is biking distance from the East Fork Carson River. The Ranchos is a small retirement community within walking distance of our local bowling alley where you can take (free) transit to Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Reno. Carons Hotsprings and Wally's Hotsprings are both accessible through community (Dart) Transit as well. With the help of my Father Steve, Sandy Gibson built the House of Gibson in 1983/1984. We are on one acre with an orchard, trees, and a pond. My parents (Steve and Sandy) passed in 2021; We are currently busy with restoring the property. Our neighborhood is safe and quiet. Drop in and stay for a spell... Highland Regards, Jason G. Gibson Gibson Core Family
Pets
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from 
$40
 / night
Lahontan Shores High Desert Retreat

5. Lahontan Shores High Desert Retreat

95%
(10)
39mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 1 site · Tent, RV · Silver Springs, NV
Lahontan Shores Ranch is a 20-acre high desert retreat overlooking Lake Lahontan in Silver Springs, NV. The site offers panoramic views across open deserts and distant mountains. From this elevated perch, a private hiking trail winds down to the lake, where you can swim, kayak, fish, or just relax by the water. Nested within public land to the west and across the lake, this site offers a true sense of seclusion, tranquility, and connection to nature. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets over the water, then relax under a blanket of stars as the desert sky turns pitch black. In the morning, start your day outdoors, savoring your coffee as you take in the uninterrupted views and dramatic desert terrain. Ideal for tents, rooftop campers, and self-contained RVs, Lahontan Shores Ranch is a peaceful high desert hideaway for those seeking raw, rugged Nevada beauty. Please note: The property is located approximately 2 miles off Highway 50 and is accessed via a dirt road. A 4x4 vehicle is required for safe access, especially in wet conditions. There are no street lights, so we strongly recommend arriving during daylight hours. A site map will be provided upon booking
Pets
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from 
$20
 / night
Paradise Shores Camp

6. Paradise Shores Camp

98%
(938)
39mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 46 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bridgeport, CA
We're a family owned RV Park & Campground located on the shores of Bridgeport Reservoir. Together with our crew, we're excited to welcome you into our newly adopted home. We believe in campfires, starry nights, good laughs, exploration, a deep sleep and an early rise. The mountains are a place to get back to basics, a place to explore, to breathe. So turn off your phone and turn on your senses. It’s important to us that our guests don’t feel they are renting a tent/RV site or a camper as much as they’re immersing themselves into the outdoor experience. You may just want to sit outside and read for days, enjoy campfires and eat s'mores. For more adventurous, there's a full slate of self-guided recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, ATVing, rock climbing, biking, natural water slides, stand up paddle boards, bird watching, available in the area. We do have modern conveniences such as wifi internet; however, we encourage our guests to “unplug” and immerse in the slow paced life instead. At Paradise Shores, we believe in protecting people, animals and the planet. We make sure that the majority of products we use at our camp is recycled, composted, or re-used. We prefer to use products that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren't. We are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate and actively promote recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard. We pack our own recycling and haul it to the nearest recycling facility which is an hour away. We co-opt the drive with other activities to reduce waste. We don’t use individually packaged toiletries or one-use products. We use plant and planet friendly detergent. We're based in a desert. We share our precious water with the entire planet. With only 326 million cubic miles of water on the earth, the decreasing amounts of access to quality fresh water is alarming to us. We monitor how we use water in our day-to-day activities and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh-water resources. We hope you can help us maintain this greener camping! We hope Paradise Shores Camp becomes your home as it is ours. It’s located in one of the most spectacular areas in the world. We’re surrounded on three sides by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake, June Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Twin Lakes, as well as the historic gold-mining town of Bodie, CA are all within a short drive from our place. We're proud to know this area intimately and are excited to share the secret spots with you. The excellent hiking/running trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, thousands of miles of ATV, dirt bike and mountain bike trails are accessible right from our camp or within a short drive from here. The surrounding terrain offers endless activities and unbelievable scenery in remote wilderness settings. Pet Policy All our RV & Tent sites are pet friendly and we allow up to two dogs per reservation for a small fee. We can also accommodate up to two four-legged campers in our pet-friendly Baja or Tatra trailers for a small fee, we ask that they stay off the furniture (beds, sofas etc.) and are not left in the rental unattended. We love dogs, but sadly won’t be able to accommodate heavily shedding pets that aren’t house trained. Additionally, our insurance will not allow "aggressive breeds" that include any mix of: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, German Sheppard. Please pick up after your pup and use a leash when at the camp. Thank you in advance for your consideration and help in keeping our camp a mellow and enjoyable place for everyone.
Pets
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from 
$34
 / night
Bridgeport Reservoir Campground

7. Bridgeport Reservoir Campground

90%
(1209)
40mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 36 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · CA
Bridgeport Reservoir is a lake at the lower end of Bridgeport Valley in Mono County, California. Its earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The campground and marina was built I-don't-know-how-long ago, but it sure is nice! About Us: Welcome to Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground. Join us for the classic camping and fishing experience with unique views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Within the Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground is conveniently located near two distinct hot spring areas. A true angler's paradise, the Reservoir has excellent trout fishing from spring through fall and is close by to multiple rivers for incredible fly fishing. A 35 minute drive on highway 120 will take you to the Tioga Pass Gate of Yosemite National Park. This gate is a great start to several different areas inside of the park that you may want to visit beyond that gate. Off-road enthusiasts would not have enough time in one visit to explore all of the 4x4 trails, abandoned mines, and sites in the area as well as the famous trail that brings you right to the Bodie Ghost Town. Climate and Ecosystem: At 6,400 feet (1,950 meters), this high desert climate has little to moderate tree coverage and gets hot during the days and cool at night. The conditions are much like Joshua Tree National Park or Alabama Hills camping area. During your visit, you will notice many flying insects that resemble mosquitos. These Chironomid are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal. Swimming in the lake is possible usually between April to July.
Pets
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from 
$25
 / night
Whiskey Flats RV Park

8. Whiskey Flats RV Park

100%
(8)
33mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Hawthorne, NV
Whether you're traveling to a far-off destination or coming here where all the excitement is, we are your all-inclusive one-stop stay at Whiskey Flats RV Park! Come enjoy the quiet desert scenery unparalleled in the West with our majestic Mount Grant looming above or the wonderful Walker Lake shores just miles from our property. We also have side by side rentals so you can view the area. There is offroad racing, exploring and ancient mysteries everywhere in Mineral County. A short drive over the Wassuk Mountains leads to great fishing at the newest Nevada State Park of Walker River, full of fishing and hiking locations spread along countless miles of changing desert and high mountain terrain A new and extensive county airport is right across the street. Petroglyphs, ghost towns like Rawhide, Bodie, Aurora are a short drive away. WIld animals, hunting, rock collecting, sightseeing and photography is unparalleled and if you crave stars- you will see them all here at night. Our neighbors is Dotty's Casino and Bourbon Street adult sports and southern themed bar and games with food or we have Pepper's Place 50's drive-up burgers and other conveniences right along the block from us.
Pets
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from 
$52
 / night
Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

11. Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

96%
(37)
49mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 1 site · Tent, RV · Reno, NV
We love to pass our free time here in the sunshine and juniper drafts overlooking the Sierras. Some days we watch the electric storms across the valley, other afternoons we picnic and nap while listening to the birds and wind.  We love the peace and silence, which feels remarkably remote and only 20 minutes from Reno.  Learn more about this land: We would love to share our 12 junipered acres with nature enthusiasts like ourselves. Bring your tent or camper and spend afternoons watching beautiful sunsets and wildlife from our land.  Spectacular expansive views across the valley to the Sierras and Mount Rose.  Conveniently 15 minutes from South Reno (40 minutes from North Lake Tahoe), the silence and absolute privacy here are restorative and replenishing.  We do not have trash collection services available and we ask all guest to practice a “leave no trace” philosophy.  **Because of extreme fire risk in our area we ask guests to refrain from having campfires for now. As this area is home to beautiful wildlife (and a few other distant homeowners) please visit with an intent to respect the quiet and privacy that makes this area so pleasurable for us all.  Thanks for visiting and enjoy your time!  
Pets
from 
$131
 / night
Pine Nut Creek Ranch and Resort

12. Pine Nut Creek Ranch and Resort

100%
(1)
27mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 1 site · Tent · Carter Springs, NV
Nestled in the scenic Carson Valley just outside Lake Tahoe, Pinenut Creek Ranch & Resort is a one-of-a-kind, 17-acre off-grid haven. This Old West–themed retreat blends rustic charm with modern comforts, offering guests a unique glamping experience in plush tipis, authentic wagons, and cozy miner tents—set to be added in the spring of 2026. More than just a getaway, our ranch is dedicated to strengthening relationships and building community. We emphasize life skills for teens and provide hands-on education in animal husbandry and permaculture. Guests can enjoy farm-to-fork organic cuisine sourced directly from our land while immersing themselves in the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the Sierra Nevadas. We warmly invite like-minded, faith-driven individuals and families to join us—whether for a retreat, a hands-on workshop at our permaculture school, or simply to relax and reconnect in a wholesome, supportive environment.
Pets
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from 
$24
 / night
Tramway near Heavenly/ Dogs OK/ New Heating & Air

13. Tramway near Heavenly/ Dogs OK/ New Heating & Air

44mi from Walker River State Recreation Area · 1 site · Lodging · Stateline, NV
Welcome to the mountains. Come breathe the cool mountain air. Whether you're looking for a place to go skiing in the winter or mountain biking and hiking in the summer, our house on Tramway is close to it all. Cozy and in the midst of the Sierra-Nevada mountains with all the beauty and serenity included. Lake Tahoe is a world renown location for anyone seeking adventure, a fun family vacation, or a romantic getaway. Forget the monotony of your daily routine and come enjoy the mountains. The space **Tramway Sierra Summit** HOA Statement: ● This rental is located in a residential neighborhood. Loud parties and disruptive behavior are not tolerated. This neighborhood is monitored by a 24/7 call service. ● Quiet hours are 9 pm - 8 am. ● Two (2) cars maximum allowed* Renters are required to properly display a host-provided parking permit on the driver’s side dashboard of their vehicle. Failure to display the parking permit may result in a citation and fine of $500 to the owner of the vehicle. ● Fireworks, wood fire pits, and charcoal BBQs are strictly prohibited. ● During inclement winter weather either 4WD and snow tires, or 2WD and chains are required to access this Unit. All guests must move all vehicles within 24 hours of a snow storm. ● All dogs must be on a leash at all times and owners must pick up feces immediately and dispose of them in an appropriate trash container or dumpster. About the property: 2 bedroom +Loft, 2 full bathrooms. Max # of permitted overnight occupants: 8 (This listing is advertised for 6, however, two additional occupants would require the use of a pullout couch). Please be advised, per Douglas County, gatherings and events that exceed the maximum occupancy of the vacation home rental are prohibited. Max # of permitted vehicles: 2 Street parking is not allowed at rentals in Tahoe.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$199
 / night

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The best camping in Walker River State Recreation Area, NV guide

Overview

About

The Walker River State Recreation Area in western Nevada encompasses four historic ranches and 28 miles of the East Walker River. Dedicated in 2018, it’s one of the state’s newest parks and grants the public unparalleled access to 12,000-plus acres of high desert wilderness. Included in the park is “the Elbow,” a legendary East Walker River fishing site for brown and rainbow trout. The park has kayaking and floating access on the river and sections with Class 1-3 rapids. There are also miles of hiking and mountain biking trails here with opportunities to spot park residents like pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyote, beaver, and raptors like great horned owls, American kestrel, and golden eagles. The park has four campgrounds and cabin rentals. RV travelers looking for RV resorts with full hookups will find options in nearby Yerington.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for families: The Riverbend Campground is close to the Pitchfork Ranch Visitors Center and has fire rings, picnic tables, and ramadas for sun shade. There are showers and restrooms here too.
  • Best for RVs: The Quail Run Campground has RV hookups.
  • Best for glamping: The park’s Antelope Acres Cabins have AC, heating, and private showers, making for a comfortable getaway year-round.
  • Best for immersive visits: The Bighorn Campground is located at the Elbow in the park’s Nine Mile Ranch section.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Sites at the Riverbend, Quail Run, and Bighorn Campgrounds cannot be reserved and are all first come, first served. Cabins and group campsites are by reservation only. Reservations can be made by calling the park office at (775) 463-1609, or by filling out an online form and emailing the park office for cabins.

When to go

The park is open year-round. Proper hydration and sun protection is important in all seasons but especially in summer. Winters here can be beautiful, but snow or rain can impact access on unpaved approach roads like East Walker Road. Call the park office to check on current park and road conditions when planning a winter trip.

Know before you go

  • With its high elevation and dry climate, hydration is essential at this park year-round, and visitors should pack for hot days and cold nights regardless of season.
  • Kayakers and floaters should refer to the park’s Water Trail Maps and consult with the park office for current water conditions when planning river activities.
  • Because of bear presence, all food should be properly secured overnight when camping here.
  • The park was dedicated in 2018 after a land donation from the Walker Basin Conservancy. New sections are still being added as infrastructure is built.
  • The nearest groceries and restaurants to the park are 25 minutes away in Yerington.
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