South Fork State Recreation Area

A driving trip to Elko and the Ruby Mountains wouldn’t be the same without a stop-off at South Fork Recreation Area, a scenic wonderland with a stunning backdrop and more wildlife than you ever imagined the state of Nevada could hold. 

If you’re an outdoor recreationalist, adventure awaits at South Fork—from hunting, camping, and boating to picnicking, swimming, ice fishing, cross country skiing, and wildlife viewing, this Nevada state park seems to have it all. Located in the heart of spectacular Lamoille Valley, South Fork State Recreation Area has attracted campers, hunters, and trophy fisherman for decades. At the base of the snow-capped Ruby Mountains, this expansive, 1,650-acre state recreation area is surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of wildlife-filled meadowlands and rolling hills.

Early Days in South Fork

Long home to American Indian tribes, the Elko region wasn’t inhabited by white settlers until the second half of the 19th century. Not far from the California Trail, these early pioneers—including the famously ill-fated Donner Party—made their way through this northeastern Nevada region in the 1850s. The South Fork Valley was officially settled by 1867 and this exact location was the site of the historic Tomera Ranch. Though it was privately owned, the area offered a constant and heavily relied upon water supply, and was generally a good travel route between burgeoning mining camps in the area.

Though the Tomera Ranch was sold to the State of Nevada in the early 1980s, the South Fork Dam project goes back to the 1938 Flood Control Act. During this time, U.S. Congress authorized feasibility studies for building dams and reservoirs on rivers like the Humboldt. By 1938, construction to dam a portion of this river was underway, operating on a “flow-in, flow-out” concept, which protected downstream water rights while minimally impacting wildlife habitat dependent upon the Humboldt Sink.

Visiting South Fork Today

With its juniper-rich woodlands, meadows dotted with massive sagebrush clusters, rolling hills, and deep canyons, the South Fork State Recreation Area not only provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife, but is a spectacular way to recreate in the Silver State. South Fork is equally popular with boaters and waterfowl—try your luck at spotting everything from mallard and pintail ducks to Canada geese, common coots, American widgeons, and more. Best yet, keep an eye out for badgers, coyote, beaver, kit foxes, and Rocky Mountain mule deer, who also call the reservoir and its surroundings home.

South Fork Fishing

South Fork Reservoir is a storage of excess water connected to the south fork of the Humboldt River and one of the best recreational reservoirs—specifically for water-based adventures—in the region. With constant water levels, South Fork is a next-level fishing spot. Trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout, cutbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth black bass, wiper hybrid bass, and channel catfish are dominant game fish species at South Fork, so be sure to bring your tackle (and required Nevada fishing license) when headed to this neck of Nevada.

Camping at South Fork

South Fork’s main campground—the East Campground— has 23 campsites available, including six pull-in sites. Power is available here, as are campsite tables, grills, and a flush restroom with showers. The East Campground also has group camping with picnic tables, a large grill, and fire rings.

Southwest Shores has open camping in 25 sites in both Coyote Cove and Jet Ski Beach. Tomera Cove also has group camping with picnic tables and a fire ring. Reservations for campsites and group areas can be made in advance but aren’t required.