In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From the sandstone gorge of Cathedral Gorge through Great Basin National Park and along US-50 across central Nevada to Carson City: long straights, steep passes and nights when the Milky Way hangs above the roof.
The spirit of the route
Nevada shows its quietest side here. US-50 runs in long straights through basins and over passes, sagebrush to the horizon, with a few ranches and mining towns in between that have kept their 19th-century opera houses and hotels. At Great Basin National Park, Wheeler Peak rises more than 3,900 metres out of the desert, and on its slopes stand bristlecone pines, among the oldest living trees on Earth. At night it is so dark that you can see the Milky Way from the sliding door, and only rarely does a car go by. The route rewards good preparation: full tank, water on board, reserves in your head. If you keep that in mind, you will find an unhurried landscape where the distances are greater than the map suggests.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Cathedral Gorge State Park to Ely (approx. 250 km)
- The drive
- From Cathedral Gorge near Panaca take US-93 north via Pioche and through long, empty valleys to Ely. Two lanes, mostly 65–70 mph, hardly any bends, but gradients on the passes. Pure driving time is about 3 hours. There are fuel stations and shops in Panaca, Pioche, Caliente (detour) and Ely, and nothing in between. Mobile reception drops out over long stretches.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Cathedral Gorge State Park: erosion has shaped gorges and towers out of soft bentonite clay that recall Gothic cathedrals. Short trails to viewpoints and slot canyons; the light is best in the morning and evening. Admission at the Nevada State Parks rate.
- Pioche: a former silver town with Boot Hill, a courthouse and the remains of an aerial tramway; a walk along the main street is enough. The streets are steep and narrow.
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park near Ely: six beehive-shaped charcoal ovens from the 19th century, with a simple campground; the access road is partly gravel, so ask about its condition on site.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Cathedral Gorge State Park: campground with 22 pitches, electricity for an extra charge, water and showers in the washhouse; reserve through ReserveNevada and ask the Nevada Division of State Parks about vehicle lengths. Alternatively, Cave Lake State Park south-east of Ely: Elk Flat Campground (roughly early May to mid-October) and Lake View Campground (year-round, partly closed in hard frost), each with toilets and showers, without hook-ups; the access roads to the sites are unpaved, so ask Nevada State Parks about vehicle lengths in advance.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On BLM land, dispersed camping is usually allowed for up to 14 days within 28 days, on sites already used and away from water sources and roads. There are numerous turn-offs along US-93; check the ground conditions after rain, as clay tracks quickly become impassable.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill the tank and top up water in Panaca or Pioche before setting off: between Pioche and Ely there is a long stretch without services. Grazing animals roam free on US-93; drive slowly at dusk.
2Stage 2: Ely to Great Basin National Park (approx. 110 km)
- The drive
- From Ely take US-50/US-6 eastwards to the turn-off for Baker (NV-487), then along the foot of the Snake Range to the visitor centre at Lehman Caves. Two lanes with little traffic, 55–70 mph. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Fill up in Ely before leaving; there is no fuel station in the park.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Lehman Caves: a limestone cave with stalactites, columns and rare shield formations; visits only on guided tours. Booking through Recreation.gov is strongly recommended in season; because of work in the cave, the tour offer is temporarily restricted, so check the current position on nps.gov beforehand. The cave is about 10 °C, so take warm clothing. The park is cashless (card only).
- Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive: the scenic road climbs in hairpins to about 3,000 metres and ends at car parks and hiking trails. Beyond Upper Lehman Creek Campground, vehicles over 24 ft (about 7.3 m) are not permitted; the road is closed in snow and in winter. Check the current status with the NPS beforehand.
- Bristlecone Pine Grove: the Bristlecone Trail (about 2.8 miles round trip) leads to the gnarled bristlecone pines, which can live for more than 3,000 years; if you continue on to the small glacier below Wheeler Peak, it comes to about 4.6 miles. Mind the altitude and weather.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Great Basin National Park: Lower Lehman Creek, Upper Lehman Creek, Wheeler Peak and Baker Creek are the NPS campgrounds; simple pitches without hook-ups, reservations through Recreation.gov. According to the NPS there is currently no drinking water at the campgrounds, only at the visitor centres and at the dump station (in summer); bring water. Lower Lehman Creek is open year-round and has a few pull-through pitches; the higher campgrounds close earlier. Wheeler Peak Campground lies beyond the 24 ft limit on Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and cannot be reached by long vehicles. In Baker there are small private options.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Outside the park, BLM land is open for dispersed camping (14 days within 28 days). Inside the park, camping is only allowed at designated sites. It can freeze at night even in summer, and at altitude even in August.
- Insider tip for campers
- Great Basin National Park is an International Dark Sky Park: the night here is especially dark; ranger astronomy programmes take place seasonally. A torch with a red light spares your eyes. Because of the altitude (Baker Creek about 2,300 m, Wheeler Peak Campground over 3,000 m), acclimatise slowly.
3Stage 3: Great Basin National Park to Eureka (approx. 230 km)
- The drive
- Back via Baker to Ely (around 100 kilometres), then west on US-50 through the Steptoe Valley, over Connors Pass (about 2,350 m), Pinto Summit and further passes to Eureka. Two lanes, up to 70 mph, with gradients and hairpins on the passes. Pure driving time is about 3 hours. Fill up in Ely; between Ely and Eureka there are a handful of stations but hardly any shops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely: the fully preserved railway depot with steam and diesel locomotives is one of the best museums of its kind in the USA; rides on historic trains run seasonally, so check the timetable and prices beforehand.
- Connors Pass: the highest point on US-50 in Nevada, with a view of the basin and sometimes colourful autumn leaves; there may be snow here in winter.
- Eureka: the town, with well-preserved brick and wooden buildings from the silver era, has an opera house from 1880 and the Jackson House Hotel; a walk round takes about an hour.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Eureka there is a municipal RV site on the edge of town; ask the town about facilities and availability. Alternatively, Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area (BLM) east of Austin, with simple pitches and rock drawings; check vehicle length and water supply on site.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On BLM land along US-50, dispersed camping is possible (14 days within 28 days); access roads are often gravel or clay and can be impassable after rain. Observe fire safety; fire bans are common in summer.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up and stock up on supplies in Ely; between Eureka and Austin the distances are large. In winter, plan for snow chains or access to current road reports from NDOT (nvroads.com).
4Stage 4: Eureka to Austin (approx. 115 km)
- The drive
- Continue west on US-50 over Hickison Summit and further passes to Austin, which lies on a steep slope in the Toiyabe Mountains. Two lanes, up to 70 mph, with tighter bends on the passes. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. There are fuel stations and small shops in Eureka and Austin.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area: rock drawings on a hill not far from US-50; a short loop trail leads to the motifs. Access over gravel; check in rain.
- Stokes Castle near Austin: a three-storey granite tower of 1897, built as the summer house of a mining entrepreneur; it stands on a hill with a wide view, the access is partly gravel and unsuitable for large motorhomes.
- Austin: a small mining town with churches, a museum and cafés on a steep slope; the main street is narrow, with parking at the roadside.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Bob Scott Campground in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about 10 km east of Austin on US-50 (about 2,200 m): a small site with about 10 pitches, toilets, no hook-ups or dump station, no reservations; according to visitors the water supply is not reliable. A vehicle length of about 35 ft is quoted; check the season (roughly May to October) and condition with the Forest Service. In Austin there are simple private options.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Spencer Hot Springs (BLM) south of Austin is a popular spot for dispersed camping with natural pools; access over gravel, do not drive it in rain, and large vehicles are best avoided. The BLM rule of 14 days within 28 days also applies here.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up before Austin; the town has few stations with limited opening hours. Austin lies at about 2,000 metres, and nights are cool even in summer.
5Stage 5: Austin to Fallon (approx. 175 km)
- The drive
- From Austin west over Austin Summit and through long basins (Reese River Valley, Edwards Creek Valley) to Fallon. Two lanes, up to 70 mph, hardly any bends, but strong sunshine. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours. Fill up in Austin; there are only a few stations on the way (for example Middlegate Station). Mobile reception drops out.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Middlegate Station: a historic roadhouse on US-50 that served as a Pony Express station; a snack bar and a shoe tree are the well-known stops. Ask about opening times beforehand.
- Sand Mountain Recreation Area (BLM): a sand dune more than 180 metres high beside the route, popular with off-road drivers; hikers should allow for noise and vehicle traffic.
- Grimes Point Archaeological Area (BLM) near Fallon: petroglyphs and a short loop trail through the rocks; free admission, heed the advice of the visitor centre.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Sand Mountain Recreation Area: simple pitches in the OHV area with toilets but no water; it can be noisy at night and at weekends. Alternatively, Fallon: municipal and private RV parks with electricity and water; check availability and prices on site.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): BLM land along US-50 can be used for dispersed camping (14 days within 28 days); near the dunes and military installations (Naval Air Station Fallon, test ranges) there are closed zones. Observe the signs.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up, shop and use the dump station in Fallon: from here to Carson City services are denser again. The area around Fallon is known for growing cantaloupe melons; in late summer there are roadside stalls.
6Stage 6: Fallon to Carson City (approx. 100 km)
- The drive
- From Fallon take US-50 Alternate through Silver Springs and Dayton to Carson City, then climb into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Two to four lanes, up to 65 mph, more traffic than on the previous stages. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Fuel stations and supermarkets are everywhere.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Fort Churchill State Historic Park: remains of a fort from 1861 with a visitor centre and campground on the Carson River; admission at the state parks rate, check opening times.
- Virginia City: a former Comstock silver town with wooden boardwalks, saloons and museums; the road there is steep and narrow, and large motorhomes should leave the vehicle below.
- Nevada State Museum in Carson City: a museum in the former mint; check opening times beforehand. Parking for large vehicles is scarce in the city centre.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Washoe Lake State Park north of Carson City: campground with pitches for motorhomes, some with electricity and water, toilets and showers; check facilities and lengths with the Nevada Division of State Parks. Alternatively, Fort Churchill State Historic Park on the Carson River with simple pitches, hot and windy in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the city and in the Washoe Valley, free overnighting in a vehicle is not provided for. National Forest land in the Sierra offers dispersed camping, often accessible only with a four-wheel-drive vehicle; observe fire bans.
- Insider tip for campers
- At the end of the route, use the dump station and fresh water. It is only about 30 kilometres to Lake Tahoe on US-50 over Spooner Summit, a drive with gradients and many tourists in summer.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- On Bureau of Land Management land, dispersed camping in Nevada is usually allowed for up to 14 days within 28 days in one place, away from water sources and roads. In National Forests a 14-day limit generally applies; check closed areas and fire bans beforehand.
- In towns, at rest areas and at casino and supermarket car parks, their own rules apply; ask beforehand. NDOT rest areas are not intended for camping.
- Wildlife: grazing animals roam free on US-50 and US-93, and at dusk deer, pronghorn and wild horses come onto the road. Rattlesnakes are active in summer; check shoes and entrance areas for scorpions and spiders.
- Useful apps and sites: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt, plus Recreation.gov for federal land, Nevada State Parks for state park pitches and nvroads.com for road conditions.
- Never drink water from unclear sources; on BLM land there are hardly any hook-ups, so take your rubbish with you (pack it in, pack it out).
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations are found in some Nevada State Parks (for example Washoe Lake) as well as in private RV parks and at some fuel stations for a fee. sanidumps.com provides an overview.
- Tap water in towns is drinkable; fill up with water in Eureka, Austin and Ely before driving on. Filter or boil springs in the mountains.
- Never discharge grey water onto the ground; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane is available in Ely, Fallon and Carson City from dealers and fuel stations. European gas bottles need adapters and are mostly not refilled; rental motorhomes have US tanks.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Ely, Fallon and Carson City; in Eureka and Austin only small shops with limited opening hours. Carry supplies for three days.
- Fuel: between Ely and Eureka and between Austin and Fallon there are long stretches without a station. Never let the tank fall below half, and carry a reserve can for emergencies.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in mph as signed: US-50 mostly 70, passes and built-up areas lower, towed vehicles and heavy vehicles sometimes slower. Mobile phone use and drink-driving are strictly punished.
- There are no tolls on the route. Nevada has no low-emission zones for motorhomes.
- National parks: Great Basin National Park has no entrance fee as at the latest information; cave tours in Lehman Caves are charged. For visitors without US residence, higher fees or surcharges may apply since 2026 in heavily visited parks; check current amounts on nps.gov.
- Lengths and heights: many state park pitches are limited to 30–40 ft, in Great Basin National Park beyond Upper Lehman Creek a maximum of 24 ft; state the length when booking. Legal maximum height is 14 ft (4.27 m).
- Reservations: Nevada State Parks through the parks’ online system, federal land through Recreation.gov; the NPS sites in Great Basin only through Recreation.gov, book early in summer.
- Weather and season: summer is very hot in the valleys (over 35 °C), cool at night; spring and autumn mild, snow on passes from November to April. Thunderstorms and flash floods in summer.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception drops out over long stretches. Plan for water, emergency equipment and fuel for the wait for help.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- At least 40 litres of fresh water in canisters in addition to the on-board tank – services are rare.
- Warm layers and a winter jacket: even in summer the temperature on the passes and in the park falls close to freezing at night.
- Red-light head torch and star chart for the dark-sky nights at Great Basin National Park.
- Spare tyre, jack, jump leads and compressor: breakdown assistance can take hours.
- Offline maps, a paper map and an emergency radio or satellite communication – mobile reception drops out.
- Binoculars, sun protection and a hat for wildlife, rock drawings and the strong sun.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
