Big Bend Campground

4.63

10 reviews

660 South 12th Street, Ste. 108, Elko, NV 89801

Peace & Quiet

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Nevada Mountain Camping Nevada Group Camping Nevada +3 more

Quick Facts

7,000 ft

Price

$8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Open Memorial Day we...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

7,000 ft

Price

$8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Open Memorial Day we...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Big Bend Campground

$8.00 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight use fee is $8/night per single site. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to single campsites occupied by the...

Standard Site Fee$8.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

775-738-5171

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What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 10 reviews

8 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacycleanwell-maintainedsites

"Overall, Big Bend Campground is highly appreciated for its natural setting and privacy. User reviews praise its cleanliness and suitability for tent or trailer camping."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

660 South 12th Street, Ste. 108, Elko, NV 89801

Big Bend Campground

660 South 12th Street, Ste. 108, Elko, NV 89801

Driving directionsTravel approximately 67 miles north of Elko on State Route 225. Turn right onto County Road 745 (Meadow Creek Road). Follow County Road 745 (Meadow Creek Road) approximately 16 miles. Turn right into campground.

The access includes a gravel and dirt road, mostly wide single-lane, which may pose challenges for vehicles without high clearance.

Nearby places

Mountain City: 18.5 miles southwest (approximately 25 minutes driving time).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies, including groceries and camping necessities, can be found in Elko, NV (67 miles south) or Mountain City, NV (18.5 miles southwest).

Best Time to Camp at Big Bend Campground

Big Bend transforms dramatically with the seasons, offering a different adventure each time you visit. From May through November, Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show – early season visitors might wake to a dusting of snow and crisp, freezing mornings that give way to brilliant sunshine. Summer brings warm, dry days perfect for exploration, while autumn steals the show with a breathtaking display of golden aspens that seem to glow against the clear mountain sky. The shoulder seasons remind visitors of the high country's wild spirit, where weather can shift from sunshine to snow flurries in a heartbeat.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open Memorial Day through Oct 31; summer offers shade from aspens and hiking/biking opportunities.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 14% in NV

Peak season: noted for aspen colors and hunting seasons; campground popular in fall.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Opens Memorial Day weekend; early spring access and conditions are limited/weather-dependent.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground closed after Oct 31; winter camping at this site is not available.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Hunting seasons, likely in fall months.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open Memorial Day weekend through October 31, weather dependent.
Current Alerts: None reported.

About Big Bend Campground

Nestled within a sprawling aspen grove, Big Bend Campground offers an intimate escape with just 15 thoughtfully spaced sites that promise the privacy many campers crave. This hidden gem draws outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hunters and OHV adventurers, who appreciate the dense canopy of aspens that creates natural barriers between sites. As a pristine wilderness destination, Big Bend operates on a 'pack it in, pack it out' philosophy, encouraging visitors to leave no trace in this untouched landscape. While you won't find running water here, you'll discover something far more valuable: a genuine connection with nature in its purest form.

Big Bend Campground provides tent camping and combined RV/tent sites. It is popular for its natural setting and privacy features.

Historical SignificanceJust five miles south lies a fascinating window into the American West's golden past – the ghostly remnants of Gold Creek, once a bustling hub of the Island Mountain Mining District. This historic mining town thrived with the dreams of fortune seekers until the 1920s, when the gold played out and residents packed up their hopes for greener pastures. Today, an interpretive plaque tells the tales of pickaxes and gold pans, of fortunes made and lost, inviting modern explorers to imagine the clamor of mining life that once echoed through these now-peaceful hills.

Weather and SeasonsBig Bend transforms dramatically with the seasons, offering a different adventure each time you visit. From May through November, Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show – early season visitors might wake to a dusting of snow and crisp, freezing mornings that give way to brilliant sunshine. Summer brings warm, dry days perfect for exploration, while autumn steals the show with a breathtaking display of golden aspens that seem to glow against the clear mountain sky. The shoulder seasons remind visitors of the high country's wild spirit, where weather can shift from sunshine to snow flurries in a heartbeat.

ElevationPerched at 7,000 feet above sea level, Big Bend Campground offers that quintessential high-country experience where the air feels crisp and clean in your lungs. At this elevation, you'll notice the stars seem closer, the sunsets more vivid, and yes, you might find yourself catching your breath a bit more often as your body adjusts to the thinner mountain air. The altitude brings cooler temperatures that provide welcome relief from summer heat, though it's wise to pack an extra layer even in July.

Natural Features and SceneryBig Bend's aspen grove creates a natural cathedral where sunlight filters through quaking leaves, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Beyond this verdant sanctuary, the landscape opens into sweeping vistas of wide-open country that stretch to the horizon, offering that big-sky feeling that makes the West so captivating. Come autumn, this modest campground transforms into one of nature's most spectacular galleries, with aspens painting the hillsides in brilliant shades of gold and amber that photographers and nature lovers travel miles to witness.

Geological RegionPositioned strategically 15 miles northeast of the scenic Wildhorse Reservoir, Big Bend Campground serves as a perfect basecamp for exploring the diverse geological wonders of the Island Mountain Mining District. This unique location places you at the intersection of aspen-covered hillsides and expansive high desert country, where ancient geological forces have created a landscape rich in both mineral wealth and natural beauty. The surrounding terrain tells a story millions of years in the making, from volcanic upheavals to the patient work of wind and water that carved today's dramatic vistas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 consecutive days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Not explicitly mentioned
likely follows standard site occupancy rules.

Groups

Group camping site details are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutComposed of two loops within dense aspen growth.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations; first-come, first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityCamping is first-come-first-served; no reservations are accepted.

Cancellation PolicyNot explicitly mentioned.

AccessibilityThe campground does not offer wheelchair-friendly toilets, and there is no explicit mention of other accessibility features.

Site SizeCampsites include parking aprons made of dirt and gravel. RV pull-throughs are available at one site.

PrivacyMost campsites are widely spaced and surrounded by dense aspen growth, providing good privacy.

Total Campsites14 campsites

Recommended SitesSites in the inner loop offer more privacy due to dense vegetation.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Big Bend Campground offers a range of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking, biking, OHV riding, and snowmobiling.

HikingHiking opportunities include day hikes and backpacking routes in the surrounding areas.

BikingBoth mountain biking and road cycling are possible in the area.

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wild animals, remote location factors, and absence of potable water.

Active AlertsNone reported.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted in designated fire rings, but restrictions may apply during high fire danger periods.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not specified.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are in Elko, NV, including hospitals and police stations (approximately 67 miles south).

Trash & RecyclingA pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy is in place; trash and recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned.

Water FeaturesThe campground is 15 miles northeast of Wildhorse Reservoir, which provides opportunities for water-related activities.

Camp HostNo host information provided.

Weather at Big Bend Campground

Reviews

4.6

10 reviews

Top-Rated

Big Bend Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Big Bend Campground is highly appreciated for its natural setting and privacy. User reviews praise its cleanliness and suitability for tent or trailer camping.

Review Summaries

Based on 10 reviews

What Campers Love

Users highlight the campground's privacy, clean vault toilets, and well-maintained fire rings. "Nice campground. No hook ups but great for a tent or trailer. Campsites far enough away from each...

Based on 10 reviews

Common Concerns

Parking arrangements received mixed feedback due to large rocks at campsite entrances. One user noted: "The large rocks at the entrance to the individual camp sites definitely need to be removed....

Based on 10 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing cash or checks for payment and emphasize the importance of the pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy.

Based on 10 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is popular during hunting season and fall, when the dense aspen growth provides excellent colors.

Based on 10 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice campground. No hook ups but great for a tent or trailer." "Primitive bathroom which worked just fine. It was clean." "Fire pits and metal grills were decent."

Based on 10 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Individual campsite reviews are not available; however, privacy across widely spaced campsites is praised.

Based on 10 reviews

Accessibility Features

There are no reviews explicitly addressing accessibility features, such as wheelchair access.

Based on 10 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be on a leash. There are no specific reviews addressing pet-related experiences.

Based on 10 reviews

0 review

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Last updated January 13, 2026

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