Waterside camping near Battle Mountain with campfires
Mining history and off-grid desert canyons make Battle Mountain well worth a weekend trip.
- Battle Mountain
Popular camping styles for Battle Mountain
Waterside camping near Battle Mountain with campfires guide
Overview
Between Winemucca and Elko on the Cowboy Corridor of I-80, Battle Mountain sees mountains and rugged desert terrain stretch in all directions—with not a single busy freeway in sight. Find off-grid Nevada adventure and year-round access to hundreds of miles of backcountry roads and trails, vast wide-open spaces, and public land comprising rugged desert and mountain terrain. Hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, motocross, paragliding, hunting, and fishing are all popular, especially for those seeking solitude. There’s plenty of backcountry for dispersed and primitive camping, while campers seeking more amenities and creature comforts can also find RV parks in and around town, plus developed campgrounds nearby.
Where to go
Battle Mountain Area
Simple RV parks and truck stops with full hookups and pull-through sites can be found in town, but south of Battle Mountain, the Mill Creek Recreation Area is a high desert oasis offering canyon hikes, trout fishing, birding, and free camping under cottonwood trees at an elevation of 5,200 feet. This former California Conservation Corps (CCC) and now BLM-run creekside campground is a local favorite year-round with sites for tents and RVs. If you want to catch your dinner, make camp at Willow Creek, where secluded campsites lie steps away from quiet fishing ponds.
I-80
Head west of Battle Mountain for hiking, off-roading, and free camping at the BLM-run Water Canyon Recreation Area near Winnemucca, or fishing, water sports, and camping at the Rye Patch State Recreation Area near Lovelock. Head east toward Elko for water sports, fishing, hunting, and both primitive and developed camping (with the Ruby Mountains as the backdrop) at the South Fork State Recreation Area. South of Elko, the scenic Lamoille Canyon offers two developed campgrounds. For something different, pitch your tent on the open brush land of a private Hipcamp property.
Austin and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
State Road 305 south of Battle Mountain, on the way to Austin, Nevada, is a popular location for speed races of all types, but head further south past Austin for mountain biking, land sailing, hot springs, and the rugged terrain of the Toiyabe Mountains. Several developed campgrounds in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest offer seasonal RV and tent camping options.
When to go
Spring through fall offer the most pleasant weather for camping and outdoor activities (even with chilly nights year-round), though winter brings snowy recreation and ice fishing. Many campgrounds are closed over winter, or offer limited amenities. No matter the time of year, the semi-arid climate makes for some of the best stargazing in northern Nevada.
