camping near the great basin highway in nevada

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Nevada’s wide-open roads, neon nights, and nowhere-else experiences are right here at your fingertips. Need a hand turning travel dreams into your perfect IRL itinerary? Use this page to get inspired and piece together your very own only-in-Nevada adventure—all built around what you like, how you travel, and just how far out there you want to get.

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Northern

Where rich history and heritage gild the gateway to some of our wildest adventure playgrounds.

Battle Mountain
Battle Mountain

The site of the World Human Powered Speed Challenge is also surrounded by endless Nevada backcountry.

5
Denio
Denio

Outdoor recreation, pay-to-dig opal mines, and Sheldon NWR draw visitors to this NV/OR border community.

2
Elko
Elko

Nevada’s cowboy-est town offers Basque cuisine, museums, public art, and access to the Ruby Mountains.

7
Gerlach
Gerlach

Discover Sagebrush Saloons, funky art, and Fly Geyser en route to the fabled Black Rock Desert.

1
Jackpot
Jackpot

Located at the Idaho border, Jackpot offers gaming, dining, and access to the Jarbidge Wilderness.

10
Jarbidge
Jarbidge

One of the most remote towns in the Lower 48 sits nestled against the stunning Jarbidge Wilderness.

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Lamoille
Lamoille

Bucolic ranch vibes give way to all manner of outdoor action up in famously stunning Lamoille Canyon.

8
Lovelock
Lovelock

“Lock your love” at Lovers Lock Plaza, explore ancient history in Lovelock Cave, and enjoy some home cooking.

3
Wells
Wells

Watch wildlife at Angel Lake and Ruby Lake NWR after walking through history at Metropolis Ghost Town.

9
West Wendover
West Wendover

Enjoy big-name shows, gaming, the Bonneville Salt Flats, and WWII history in this NV/UT border town.

11
Winnemucca
Winnemucca

Traditional Basque fare, the Buckaroo Hall of Fame, rodeos, and outdoor action all await in “the Mucc.”

4

North Central

Follow in the hoof-steps of the Pony Express along the (in)famous Loneliest Road in America.

Austin
Austin

Historic churches, saloons, and wilderness access await along the famed “Loneliest Road in America.

4
Baker
Baker

The gateway to Great Basin National Park delights with good food, cozy lodging, and funky art.

7
Dayton
Dayton

Get into the spirit of early Nevada at the site of the Silver State’s very first gold discovery.

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Ely
Ely

This 4-season mountain town is all about art, rich historic sites, and outdoor action of all kinds.

6
Eureka
Eureka

“The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road” brims with history and several Uncommon Overnighters.

5
Fallon
Fallon

“The Oasis of Nevada” is home to a cute historic downtown, farm-fresh food, and family-friendly fun.

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Fernley
Fernley

This high-octane racetrack town provides easy access to Pyramid Lake and plentiful outdoor adventures.

2

Northwestern

Discover iconic destinations and intriguing attractions within easy range of fabulous Lake Tahoe.

Carson City
Carson City

Nevada’s capital melds shopping, dining, culture, and nightlife with tons of hands-on history and charm.

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Carson Valley
Carson Valley

The communities within Carson Valley draw crowds with small-town charm, great food, and outdoor fun.

8
Gardnerville
Gardnerville

Window-shop for local art, crafts, and antiques, or hop among hearty restaurants and lively saloons.

10
Genoa
Genoa

In Nevada’s first pioneer settlement, enjoy historic buildings, the state’s oldest saloon, and more.

5
Minden
Minden

Local food, historic brick buildings, and artifact-packed cultural centers charm up this German-founded town.

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North Lake Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe

Swanky resorts and unlimited fun—on water or land, in sunshine or snow—define Tahoe’s North Shore.

3
Reno
Reno

Nevada’s northern metro buzzes with art, music, cuisine, non-stop events, and easy access to Lake Tahoe.

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South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe

State-straddling South Lake Tahoe combines outdoor action by day with the lake’s best nightlife.

4
Sparks
Sparks

“Rail City” draws thousands for the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, Hot August Nights, and more.

2
Virginia City
Virginia City

Think Frontierland, except it’s real and has way more saloons, museums, and events. “Step back in time!”

7

Southern

Where the glitz and glam of Las Vegas meets popular parks, famous landmarks, and fun little towns.

Boulder City
Boulder City

Art Deco vibes and gourmet food cap off days spent at Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Colorado River.

5
Henderson
Henderson

Las Vegas’ quieter neighbor promises plenty of its own entertainment, shopping, dining, and more.

3
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas

11,000 resort rooms, world-class golfing, and a 320-acre lake sit just 17 miles from the busy Strip.

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Las Vegas
Las Vegas

There’s not a single reason they call it the “Entertainment Capital of the World” — there are millions.

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Laughlin
Laughlin

Entertainment, relaxation, and on-the-water recreation draw thousands to this riverfront resort town.

6
Mesquite
Mesquite

Seven master-designed courses make Mesquite a golfer’s paradise in the stunning Virgin River Valley.

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Moapa Valley
Moapa Valley

Discover American Indian history at Lost City Museum after a day exploring Valley of Fire State Park.

7
North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas

Rev up your trip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, home to NASCAR races and the Electric Daisy Carnival.

2

Central

A vast, rugged region packed with parks, ghost towns & oddball attractions. PRO TIP: watch for UFOs.

Alamo
Alamo

Blast off to the ET Hwy, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, Basin and Range National Monument, and more.

10
Amargosa Valley
Amargosa Valley

This NV/CA border town offers lodging and dining close to Death Valley NP, Big Dune, and Ash Meadows.

7
Beatty
Beatty

The “Gateway to Death Valley” experience includes wild burro encounters, BBQ, and Rhyolite Ghost Town.

6
Caliente
Caliente

Nevada’s “City of Roses” is both a mountain bike mecca and a basecamp for several Nevada state parks.

12
Dyer
Dyer

Enjoy a cozy vineyard B&B after exploring ghost towns, wild burro habitats, and NV’s tallest peak.

3
Goldfield
Goldfield

The state’s once-largest city wows with some of the richest—and most accessible—history in Nevada.

5
Hawthorne
Hawthorne

America’s Patriotic Home” is home to a military museum, Walker Lake, and 1,000+ miles of OHV trails.

2
Pahrump
Pahrump

Wineries, a distillery, a meadery, and other indoor indulgences await at the edge of Death Valley NP.

8
Pioche
Pioche

“Nevada’s Liveliest Ghost Town” houses historic buildings and intriguing museums near 3 state parks.

11
Rachel
Rachel

Visit this Area 51-area community to eat Alien Burgers, shop for funky swag, and try to spot UFOs.

9
Tonopah
Tonopah

Tour old mining grounds and a stargazing park, then bed down in a clown-themed motel or historic hotel.

4
Yerington
Yerington

Grab grub or retire to a motel after a day spent fishing and exploring the fabled East Walker River.

1

EXPLORE THE MAP

PLACES TO VISIT IN NEVADA

Looking at the map of Nevada, you’ll notice one thing right away: It’s big. 60-million-acres-of-public-land big. Every part of the Silver State packs its own personality, widely different landscapes, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Click around to get the lay of the land and see what kinds of adventures await when you explore it all for yourself.

Las Vegas Reno Elko Ely Northern Northwestern North Central Central Southern Mesquite 8 Moapa Valley 7 North Las Vegas 2 Laughlin 6 Las Vegas 1 Lake Las Vegas 4 Henderson 3 5 Boulder City 7 Mesquite 8 4 Laughlin 6 North Las Vegas 2 Lake Las Vegas Moapa Valley Las Vegas 1 Boulder City 5 Henderson 3 Caliente 12 Pioche 11 Alamo 10 Rachel 9 Beatty 6 Amargosa Valley 7 Pahrump 8 Goldfield 5 Tonopah 4 Dyer 3 Hawthorne 2 Yerington 1 10 Rachel 9 12 11 Pioche Caliente Alamo Beatty 5 6 Amargosa Valley 8 7 Pahrump Tonopah 4 Dyer 3 Goldfield 2 Yerington 1 Hawthorne Baker 7 Ely 6 Eureka 5 Austin 4 Fernley 2 Fallon 3 Dayton 1 Ely 6 Baker 7 Eureka 5 Austin 4 Fernley 2 3 Fallon Dayton 1 Sparks 2 Reno 1 Virginia City 7 North Lake Tahoe 3 Carson City 6 Carson Valley 8 Genoa 5 South Lake Tahoe 4 Minden 9 Gardnerville 10 Sparks 2 Reno 1 Virginia City 7 North Lake Tahoe 3 Carson City 6 Carson Valley 8 Genoa 5 South Lake Tahoe 4 Minden 9 Gardnerville 10 Wendover 11 Jackpot 10 Wells 9 Elko 7 Lamoille 8 Jarbidge 6 Battle Mountain 5 Winnemucca 4 Lovelock 3 Denio 2 Gerlach 1 Jackpot 10 Wells 9 Elko 7 Lamoille 8 Jarbidge 6 Wendover 11 Winnemucca 4 Battle Mountain 5 Lovelock 3 Denio 2 Gerlach 1
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Explore everything Nevada has to offer, from ghost towns and hot springs to museums, state parks, and attractions. Filter by city or activity type, then start favoriting away to craft your dream road trip.

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Featured Stories

#TRAVELNEVADA

Want to help other Nevada-lovers adventure vicariously through you? Use #TravelNevada to share your Silver State stories! If we love your photo, you might just find it right here.

Rhyolite, Nevada. Additional fill and red lighting courtesy of j.marie_nightphotography #goldfieldghosttown #nightscapephotography #deathvalley #instagramnv #beattynv #nevadahighways #VisitNevada #nevada #igersnv #weownthenight #weownthenight_nv  #heatercentral #night_photography #landscapes #landscapes #nikond850 #underthestars #neverstopexploring #carforest #shotz_fired #nevadahiking #longexposure #longexpohunter #capturenevada #nightshooters #nightscaper #nevadadesert
Walking through the narrows 🥾

I’ve been wanting to visit this place for a while now, but the last time I tried going was after a wash came through and made it difficult to get out there. This time I was finally able to go, and it did not disappoint. What’s even crazier is that this place is about 1 hour outside of vegas!! 

📍Anniversary Narrows, NV 
🚗 4x4 recommended (I have AWD and no issues)

#nevada #travelnevada #roam #explore #adventure #anniversarynarrows #lasvegas #vegas #desert #hiddengems
“Weekends are a reminder that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.” Don’t forget to stop & smell the roses this weekend. 💛 Drax 

Drax is running across the salt flats you can find here in our great state of Nevada. This was a few years ago when he was about one years old. He loved the open space to run! 

Bandana: lokidokidogshop
Beacon

#nature #reflection #night #stars #overlanding #earth
#nevada#thegreatoutdoors#fishing#angellake#beautifulnevada#trout#gonefishing#fly#roostertails#hooklineandsinker#🎣#getalittleoutthere#rubymountaintrekking#travelnevada
Wrangling. #cowboy #nevada #rancher #renotahoe
All week there has been these big beautiful clouds over Lake Tahoe all day. But as the sun starts to go down they seem to race over the mountains and into the Carson Valley on the Nevada side. It makes for some boring sunsets in Lake Tahoe but spectacular sunsets and afternoon storms along the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. This was shot from Kingsbury Grade looking over at Jobs peak.
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#laketahoe #carsonvalley #carsoncity #gardnerville #sunset #mountains #sierranevada #nevada #travelnevada #onlyinnv #visitnevada #landscapephotography #photography #skybrilliance #cloudscape #yourshotphotographer #natgeotravel #viewpoint #beautifuldestinations #outdoors #landscape #goldenhour #light #color #travelinspiration #earth_shotz #summervibes #renotahoe #outside_project #nikon
@stephanie_.bee image
While the skies were not completely free of clouds, the evening was still amazing. Love our Nevada dark skies! 
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#travelnevada #milkyway #milkywaychasers #nightscaper #nevada #sonyalpha
Wrapping up #NationalParkWeek with an incredible lesser-known park that we visited for the first time last year.

📍Great Basin National Park (Nevada)

Great Basin isn't a national park that you hear a whole lot about, but we were so impressed!

⛺We visited in August 2023 and camped in Wheeler Peak Campground within the park. The campground is at the top of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, sitting at 9,500 feet above sea level. This has been one of our all-time favorite camping experiences. The sites were well-spaced, and the views were incredible! We also liked that we could walk from our campsite to the trailhead for several of the Wheeler Peak area trails. 

🥾During our visit, we went on two hikes in the Wheeler Peak area. We hiked the Alpine Lakes Loop trail the afternoon/evening we arrived and enjoyed some sunset views on the trail. The next morning, we hiked the Glacier Trail, which also took us past Bristlecone Grove.

🔦Great Basin NP is home to Lehman Caves. The only way to tour the caves is by purchasing a ticket for a ranger-led tour. Two tours are offered. We chose the longer one, which was 90 minutes long. While it's not the biggest or the longest cave we've been in, I felt like it had some of the most impressive cave formations!

Photos
1) Hiking the Glacier Trail
2-3) On our Lehman Caves tour
4-6) Hiking the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail
7-9) Hiking the Glacier Trail and Bristlecone Grove
10) Our campsite at Wheeler Peak Campground
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#greatbasinnationalpark #wheelerpeak #wheelerpeakcampground #themountainsarecalling #bristleconepine #nationalparkgeek #national_park_photography #travelnevada #explorenevada
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