How much does camping cost at Cave Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Cave Lake Campground range from $15/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Cave Lake Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Cave Lake Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cave Lake Campground before I book?

Yes! Cave Lake Campground has 20 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cave Lake Campground?

Cave Lake Campground is open The Lake View Campground is near the lake and open year-round with flush toilets and showers. In extremely cold conditions the facilities may be closed. Please contact the park if you plan to arrive in the winter.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cave Lake Campground?

Yes, Cave Lake Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Cave Lake Campground?

Fire policies at Cave Lake Campground: Fire rings provided at sites; no gathering of firewood reported in sources. Pets must be on a 6-foot leash as noted in visitor guidance.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Cave Lake Campground?

Cell phone service at Cave Lake Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Cave Lake Campground have?

Cave Lake Campground has 18 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Cave Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cave Lake Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Cave Lake Campground?

Cave Lake Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Cave Lake Campground

4.57

37 reviews

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,136 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Nevada State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,136 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Nevada State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Cave Lake Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping: $15.00 per vehicle, per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $20.00 per vehicle, per night) Camp and boat: $20.00 per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $25.00...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Nevada State Parks

Provider

(775) 684-2770

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Cave Lake Campground

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Campground Map

Cave Lake Campground

39.1867, -114.7175

Weather at Cave Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Cave Lake Campground

Summer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 80s F and nights dropping into the 30s to 50s. Pack layers. Afternoons turn windy at this elevation, and cool evenings follow warm days. The campground opens early May and closes mid-October, though snow can arrive earlier than the calendar suggests at 7,136 feet. Showers and the dump station run during the main season. Winter camping happens at nearby Lake View, not here.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: The Lake View Campground is near the lake and open year-round with flush toilets and showers. In extremely cold conditions the facilities may be closed. Please contact the park if you plan to arrive in the winter.

About Cave Lake Campground

Elk Flat Campground sits at 7,136 feet in the Schell Creek Range, offering 18 juniper-shaded sites with mountain views and flush toilets year-round. Sites run $15 per night, first-come first-served. Hot showers and the dump station operate seasonally. Rangers keep the place clean, and reviewers praise the spacing and privacy.

Developed campground with individual sites and a separate group site; suitable for car camping and RVs (facility-level services present).

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 80s F and nights dropping into the 30s to 50s. Pack layers. Afternoons turn windy at this elevation, and cool evenings follow warm days. The campground opens early May and closes mid-October, though snow can arrive earlier than the calendar suggests at 7,136 feet. Showers and the dump station run during the main season. Winter camping happens at nearby Lake View, not here.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies high-elevation terrain where the Great Basin meets Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Juniper trees create natural screens between sites, and the surrounding Schell Creek Range delivers mountain views that shift with the light. Cave Lake sits nearby, its water levels fluctuating with snowpack and season. Elk and mule deer move through camp, especially at dawn and dusk. The open alpine terrain and sparse vegetation are classic eastern Nevada, windswept and uncluttered.

Geological RegionSchell Creek Range; adjacent to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (high-elevation alpine environment near Cave Lake)

Scenic ViewsStunning surrounding mountain views of the Schell Creek Range and nearby alpine basin.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

7-day camping limit within any 30-day period

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNevada State Parks reservation system: ReserveNevada (reservenevada.com). Reservation window for Nevada State Parks: inventory opens at 8 a.m. PST on a rolling 11-month booking window; reservations may be made from 3 days to 11 months in advance.

Total Campsites18 campsites

Best CampsitesSites are level and spaced with juniper providing natural separation. Elk Flat's layout is easier to navigate than the tighter Lake View loop nearby, with larger sites that accommodate RVs without tight maneuvering. All sites are first-come, first-served, so arrive early on summer weekends.

Amenities available

Basic developed campground amenities including flush toilets, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, showers, and an RV dump station nearby. Cell service is available from some carriers.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Elk Flat is used for traditional high‑elevation outdoor recreation with nearby access to Cave Lake and surrounding national forest lands.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh-elevation weather (rapid temperature drops, winds), seasonal access limitations, variable lake levels. Visitor reports note flies can be present. Cell coverage may be limited or variable depending on provider.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

37 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Visitor reviews are largely positive, praising cleanliness, well‑maintained restrooms and campsites, scenic juniper‑shaded sites, and helpful rangers. A minority of reviews mention occasional issues with showers, flies, and the RV dump configuration.

Review Summaries

Based on 37 reviews

What Campers Love

Consistently noted cleanliness of restrooms and campsites; hot showers (when operational); flush toilets; picnic tables and fire rings at sites; scenic mountain views and privacy from juniper trees;...

Based on 37 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a flashlight for unlit restrooms at night. Expect windy afternoons and cooler nights at high elevation. Check Cave Lake water levels before planning water activities. Bring trout bait (power...

Based on 37 reviews

Camper Quotes

The cleanest bathrooms I've ever encountered at a campground. | Nice and quiet campground with well‑maintained sites and water spigots.

Based on 37 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Tent campers and small RVers chasing trout at Cave Lake or a quiet Great Basin mountain camp will find the spacing, flush toilets, and friendly rangers hard to beat at this price. Power bait works at the lake, and elk move through camp at dawn.

Skip if

Verizon users won't have reliable service, showers go out of service periodically, and first-come-first-served means holiday weekends at 18 sites fill fast with no safety net if you arrive late on a Friday.

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