Campgrounds and RV parks near Ely, NV

Ely sits in eastern Nevada along U.S. Route 50, the highway known as the Loneliest Road in America. The town works as a practical basecamp for high-desert and alpine camping, with public lands, state parks, and a national park all within a reasonable drive. Elevation in the area runs from roughly 6,400 feet in town to over 10,000 feet in the surrounding ranges, so temperatures and access windows shift sharply with elevation. For RV travelers, the closest full-service option is the Ely KOA Journey, which offers standard hookup sites in town. Cave Lake State Park, about 15 miles southeast, has two developed campgrounds: Elk Flat and Lake View. Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic Park provides quieter, primitive-style sites near a set of preserved beehive ovens. Great Basin National Park lies about 60 miles east of Ely, reached via U.S. Route 6/50 and Nevada State Route 487 through Baker. Whealer Peak Campground sits at nearly 10,000 feet elevation, making it one of the highest campgrounds in the National Park System.

Different systems apply depending on the land manager. The Ely KOA Journey books through the KOA website or app. Cave Lake State Park and Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic Park are managed by Nevada State Parks and use the ReserveNevada system for reservable sites, with some first-come, first-served sites also available. Inside Great Basin National Park, reservations run through Recreation.gov. Upper Lehman, Lower Lehman, and Wheeler Peak campgrounds require reservations during peak season, generally Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tent campers can make optional reservations for some sites at Grey Cliffs Campground. Reservations open exactly 30 days in advance and can be made at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Outside of peak season, all campgrounds are first come, first served.