Camping in Ely, NV, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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Nevada
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Ely

99% (108 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ely

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Setting up our camp fire in the nice, established pit.

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4 top campgrounds near Ely

Booked 24 times

Great Basin Desert Camping & RV

10 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Baker, NV

This property offers five campsites, situated in a natural, secluded area that was once a pond. Conveniently just south of the only gas station in town, the sites are close to the highway but sit lower in elevation, providing privacy and shielding them from the road. Guests have access to a small building with clean restrooms, showers and laundry facilities for added convenience. Campsite #1 is closest to the restrooms, #5 is the furthest. No fires as our fire danger is very high most of the year. The RV spaces are behind the Baker Fuel and RV gas station All sites are back-in only and have full hook-ups: 30 & 50 amp electricity, sewer and water. There is a public bathroom, shower and laundry facility next to the sites. RV Site 5 is closest to the bathroom and RV Site 1 is furthest away.

Schellraiser

92 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; the larger of the two homes also has a small kitchen area and now serves as our clubhouse from Thursday through Sunday nights. 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, TO ENSURE THAT OUR CAMPGROUND MEETS YOUR EXPECTATIONS: We are a totally off-grid campground, 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 during wet years. 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 Ladytron, Mercury Rev, 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.

Great Escape Camping

1 site · Tent25 acres · Baker, NV

Escape at starry skies camp sight where you will be nestled in the trees but still have open skies to view the stars. The camp sight is private, has a sand pad for a tent, picnic table, outhouse and garbage. The campsite is conveniently located on Sacramento pass making it a great spot to rest up after exploring Great Basin National Park.

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.

Under $50

100%

(3)

Great Escape Camping

1 site · Tent25 acres · Baker, NV

Escape at starry skies camp sight where you will be nestled in the trees but still have open skies to view the stars. The camp sight is private, has a sand pad for a tent, picnic table, outhouse and garbage. The campsite is conveniently located on Sacramento pass making it a great spot to rest up after exploring Great Basin National Park.

Great Basin Desert Camping & RV

10 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Baker, NV

This property offers five campsites, situated in a natural, secluded area that was once a pond. Conveniently just south of the only gas station in town, the sites are close to the highway but sit lower in elevation, providing privacy and shielding them from the road. Guests have access to a small building with clean restrooms, showers and laundry facilities for added convenience. Campsite #1 is closest to the restrooms, #5 is the furthest. No fires as our fire danger is very high most of the year. The RV spaces are behind the Baker Fuel and RV gas station All sites are back-in only and have full hook-ups: 30 & 50 amp electricity, sewer and water. There is a public bathroom, shower and laundry facility next to the sites. RV Site 5 is closest to the bathroom and RV Site 1 is furthest away.

Schellraiser

92 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; the larger of the two homes also has a small kitchen area and now serves as our clubhouse from Thursday through Sunday nights. 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, TO ENSURE THAT OUR CAMPGROUND MEETS YOUR EXPECTATIONS: We are a totally off-grid campground, 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 during wet years. 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 Ladytron, Mercury Rev, 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.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Great Basin National Park

Baker, Nevada

91%

(64)

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Mono City, California

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park

Ely, Nevada

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Ely guide

Overview

At the eastern end of the “Loneliest Road in America,” the former stagecoach stop and mining town of Ely offers a surprising amount of things to do. Browse art around downtown, ride a historic railroad, or explore nearby ghost towns. Surrounded by mountains and the rugged wilderness of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Ely also offers plenty of year-round outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, hiking, and winter sports like cross-country skiing and ice fishing. It’s also well placed to explore the Great Basin National Park. Campers will find plenty of ways to stay overnight, from tent and RV sites to cabins and yurts.

Where to go

Ely Area and State Parks

Several RV parks near Ely offer tent, RV, and cabin camping, while yurts can be found in McGill. Head to Cave Lakes State Park for water activities, hiking, great mountain biking, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and two developed campgrounds. At Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, visitors can spend the night and explore historic charcoal ovens from the 1870s. Further west, the BLM-run Illipah Campground next to Illipah Reservoir is a popular spot for fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

The Ely Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest spans around one million acres, including some of the most rugged backcountry terrain in the forest. Four developed campgrounds can be found nearby, including Ward Mountain Campground just south of Ely and the East Creek, Bird Creek, and Timber Creek campgrounds to the northeast of Ely. Eight surrounding wilderness areas also offer plenty of opportunities for backcountry camping.

Great Basin National Park

About an hour east of Ely, Great Basin National Park is one of the least visited parks in the country. It’s home to the Lehman Caves, ancient bristlecone pines, the second highest peak in the state, Wheeler Peak, and incredibly dark night skies, which campers can appreciate from one of five developed campgrounds, including one open year-round.

When to go

Summer is a good time to visit Ely, when temperatures are warm but pleasant. Plentiful winter activities make winter another good time to visit, though many area campgrounds will be closed then. Look for the largest herd of elk in Nevada feeding around Ely during spring and fall. The Renaissance Village is open from late May to late September. Visit in September for the Great Basin Astronomy Festival and January for the Fire and Ice show.