RV Parks In Ely, NV

Ely has several RV campgrounds and parks serving travelers in this remote stretch of central Nevada, with some offering free camping options. Sitting at 6,400 feet elevation along the historic Lincoln Highway corridor, Ely is one of those rare small towns that feels like a genuine outpost in the vast Great Basin landscape. The town serves as a critical stopover for RVers driving US-93 between Las Vegas and Idaho or making the long crossing on US-50 -- the famous Loneliest Road in America. The surrounding White Pine County covers more than 8,800 square miles with a population under 10,000, which gives you a sense of just how empty this part of Nevada really is. RV camping options range from developed campgrounds in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in the nearby Schell Creek and Snake ranges to more basic facilities in town. The Nevada Northern Railway, a remarkably preserved historic railroad, operates steam train excursions that draw rail enthusiasts from across the country. Great Basin National Park sits about 60 miles southeast, with its ancient bristlecone pines and Lehman Caves making it one of the least visited yet most rewarding national parks in the system. Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic State Park, about 20 miles south, features beehive-shaped stone ovens from the 1870s mining era set against a mountain backdrop. The town itself has a classic western main street with local restaurants, casinos, and supply stores that serve the ranching and mining communities spread across the region. The Egan Range to the east and the Schell Creek Range to the southeast provide a rugged mountain backdrop visible from town, with hiking trails and seasonal hunting drawing outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Ely also serves as a staging area for exploring the vast expanses of public land in White Pine County, where you can drive for hours on gravel roads without seeing another soul, passing through pinyon-juniper forests, mountain meadows, and high desert basins that feel unchanged since the pioneer era. The town's mining heritage is visible in the old smelter stacks and headframes dotting the hillsides, remnants of the copper boom that built Ely in the early 1900s. Several annual events including the White Pine County Fair bring the community together and give visitors a taste of rural Nevada culture.

Camping costs in the Ely area are very reasonable compared to more popular Nevada destinations. Of the parks in our listings, a portion% offer free camping while a portion% charge fees. Free options include dispersed camping on BLM and Forest Service land throughout the surrounding mountains and valleys, where you'll find plenty of space to spread out. Paid campgrounds in the area typically charge between $15 and $35 per night for basic to full-hookup sites. The KOA in town offers full hookups and amenities at standard KOA pricing. National Forest campgrounds run about $10 to $20 per night during the open season. Great Basin National Park campgrounds charge standard NPS fees around $15 per night with no hookups. Fuel prices in Ely tend to run higher than urban areas due to the remote location, typically 30 to 50 cents above the state average. Groceries are available in town but selection is limited and prices reflect the distance from distribution centers.