- South Fork State Recreation Area
The best camping in South Fork State Recreation Area, NV
Find trophy trout fishing, water play, camping, and Ruby Mountain views at this northeast Nevada gem.
The best camping in South Fork State Recreation Area, NV
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next South Fork State Recreation Area adventure.
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Glenda
November 2025
40 ft fifth wheel
Great little quiet spot with awesome views of the mountains. Full hookups - lots of deer wandering around - nice and relaxing
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Jason
November 2025
31 ft Class C
Beautiful place to spend a few days. Not too far from town and a beautiful view of the Ruby mountains. Full hookups and easy in and out to the property. I would definitely stay here again.
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Mark
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
David’s land was spectacular! Everything went as planned. The view from the site was wonderful and we will be planning trips in the future and reserving the exact same spot.
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Eric
September 2025
23 ft campervan
With pets
If you’re not comfortable with a long gravel road that changes over time, this might not be the journey for you. At times it was a bit bumpy a the road changes from smooth to washboard, but patient driving (and airing down a few psi) can help smooth it out.
Once you arrive Jay is there to greet you. His chill vibe speaks volumes for what he’s building out there. It’s truly a beautiful space the likes of which I’ve never encountered before. We had ideal weather, a bit warm when we arrived with a light wind, cooling down nicely overnight. Endless stars and zero lights made for an epic setting.
At a minimum you’ll get dusty but if you’re not getting a little dirty are you really camping?
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Michael
September 2025
25 ft Class C
Just pulled in and hooked up. That easy. Peaceful and beautiful view
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Wendy Carol
September 2025
21 ft campervan
With pets
Incredible mountain views, fully-fenced privacy, nearby Lamoille Canyon, full hookups, with nearby horses & sheep in the distance…can’t go wrong with this place!
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Sean
September 2025
Tent
The spot was remote and a bit of a journey to reach, but I was interested in that, and considered it part of the adventure. Loved the peace and solitude of the site. Jay was a great host, communicative and friendly. The goats were a bonus! Recommend.
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JR
September 2025
24 ft travel trailer
With pets
We had to drive from the freeway to get to this site but it was well worth the drive out. Beautiful view of the Ruby Mountains. The lot is behind a gate in a fairly quiet area. I would definitely recommend to others.
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A
Aidan
September 2025
Tent
Great view. Needed a place to land between stops and this was perfect. I was tenting which was a bit tougher than if you had an rv or self contained camper but using a tarp as an extra ground sheet did the trick and had a great sleep still. Highly recommend
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Faith
September 2025
38 ft travel trailer
We spent one night at Rabbit Ears, and loved the peace and quiet, the horses and sheep grazing in the field below, and mostly the view! Absolutely beautiful to watch an afternoon storm move across the Ruby Mountains and darken the canyon. In the morning we enjoyed hearing birds singing, and even saw a quick little rabbit!
Site was level, electric hookup was handy, easy to access. A great find, thanks for the hospitality!
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Shannon
September 2025
21 ft travel trailer
With pets
Beautiful views and peaceful site. Site is between 2 homes so I was a little worried about the kids making too much noise at dark. We made quiet hours start at 8pm and it was fine. Saw the horses and sheep in the field below. A couple of deer and bunnies showed up too! Our dogs loved being able to roam and it was a full hook up site so major bonus! Would camp here again.
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Tydon
August 2025
35 ft travel trailer
With pets
The end of Lamoille Canyon is 30 minutes away, there are deer roaming around, the sky is beautiful, it's quiet. This was a great stay, would return. 10/10
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Andrew
August 2025
Tent
The host was friendly and helpful. Spot is very isolated but the host still had free wifi! The only thing is that it’s a 45min drive down an unpaved road to get there. Overall would recommend.
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Richard
August 2025
15 ft campervan
Amazing views, and just a few minutes from the incredibly spectacular Lamoille Canyon, which is a rare beauty of a place indeed. I venture to say that it is a must see.
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Augusta
August 2025
Tent
Super barebones but a nice, quiet escape from everything. Looks like described and we loved watching the horses and sheep next door
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Matt
July 2025
20 ft pop-up camper
Great spot near the mouth of Lamoille Canyon. Quiet, safe, gorgeous view!
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Mike
July 2025
21 ft campervan
Such a nice spot. It's in a neighborhood, but doesn't feel like it. Easy to get to and the hook-ups were awesome. Just a great spot!
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Austin
July 2025
Tent
Great view, and campsite with easy access to the Ruby Mountains
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J
Jim
July 2025
20 ft campervan
With pets
Really cool place! Jay is a very friendly host. We had no problem getting up driveway with 4WD camper van. Beautiful views of high desert with Ruby Mountains in the distance. Great for skywatchers.
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Travis
July 2025
18 ft pop-up camper
With kids
David's place was a great place for us to post up for the night! Beautiful views of mountains and farm animals and a full electric + water hookup! Easy to find, enter, and get setup!
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Other options near South Fork State Recreation Area
The best camping in South Fork State Recreation Area, NV 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
- All campsites are first-come first-served, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the day.
- Try visiting during the week and during off-peak and non-holiday times if your plans are flexible
- 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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