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Cave Lake
Overview
Cave Lake State Park offers a serene high-altitude escape located just outside of Ely. Nestled in the Shell Creek Range at an elevation of 7,300 feet, this scenic mountain park centers around a 32-acre reservoir. It is well-regarded for its stunning limestone cliffs and dense forests of pinyon and juniper. Visitors often come here to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and year-round outdoor recreation options that define this rugged portion of the Great Basin region.
Location & Surroundings
Located 15 miles southeast of Ely, the park is situated within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The drive to the park transitions from the high desert floor into a lush, rugged canyon environment. Travelers will find themselves surrounded by dramatic rock formations and diverse wildlife, including elk and mule deer. This remote location offers a true sense of isolation while remaining accessible enough for those traveling through eastern Nevada along Highway 50.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features two primary campgrounds, with the Elk Flat area being the most conducive to motorized travelers. While there are no utility hookups available at the sites, each spot offers a paved parking pad, fire ring, and grill. Facilities include a centrally located dump station along with seasonal flush toilets and showers. Water hydrants are scattered throughout the camping areas, and several picnic sites are located near the water's edge for day use.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Fishing is a major draw here, as the lake is regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Hikers and mountain bikers can explore miles of developed trails, such as the 5-mile Cave Lake Overlook Loop, which provides panoramic views of the water and surrounding peaks. In the winter months, the park transforms into a hub for ice fishing and skating. Its proximity to the Great Basin National Park makes it an excellent base for broader regional exploration.
Who This Park Is Best For
Cave Lake is an ideal destination for self-contained RV travelers who prioritize natural beauty over resort-style amenities. It appeals most to outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, hiking, and dry camping in a quiet, high-elevation setting. Because of the cooler temperatures, it serves as a perfect summer refuge for those looking to escape the desert heat. It is best suited for travelers seeking a primitive experience surrounded by spectacular Nevada mountain scenery.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
User Reviews
Maryj
This was an amazing drive through Boulder mountains and cliffs which were completely unexpected. There are also two campgrounds in the area that are tight but I did see a couple of bigger rigs squeezed in there. The lake is actually dammed up but it’s still pretty.
Mary Ann Hinrichs
Well kept sites. Some are extremely large. Many have views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Water, showers, and a dump. Great fishing and hiking. Unique spot to explore with so many caves.
Serenity Hikes
Rustic camping and day use at a beautiful small lake with plenty of opportunities to enjoy swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and fishing. This is part of the Nevada State Park system and can be booked online or paid at site for day use and camping. At the time of this review, there is a seven day camping limit per every thirty days. There are two campgrounds, Lakeview and Elk Flats. The roads in the campgrounds are narrow and twisty and not suitable for large RV’s. Note: many campsites are only 10 feet wide. No electricity available, but water spigots are throughout each campground and there are flush toilets and hot showers. Aside from several people using generators all day, the park was peaceful and quiet enough at night to hear birds and distant coyotes. This is close to the historic town of Ely, location of the Northern Nevada Railroad Museum. It’s also part of the Great Basin Historic District and the Steptoe Valley. At the nearby Ward Charcoal Ovens, I hiked in to see the huge beehive ovens used to make charcoal during the mining boom here, saw how the land was still recovering from having every tree for 34 miles around harvested and burnt over a hundred years ago, and I learned about the history of mining in the Ward Historical District. There’s OHV trails, wildlife viewing, and plenty of exploring here. I’m looking forward to future visits.
Cyndi Huffman
Lake view campground - We ended up not being able to camp that because we weren’t comfortable that we could get our 30 foot class C camper to the site we were supposed to be in. And weren’t sure it would be quite long enough even though it stated such on the website. Looks like a beautiful place. The restrooms and bathhouse could use some tidying, updating and unfortunately, the trash dumpsters were overflowing. After talking with the Ranger - after they were kind enough to do some follow up via email when we canceled our reservation - It sounds like this used to be a tent only campgrounds. Which makes sense given the tight access road. A recommended site 32, 33 and 34 if you have a larger camper as with those you don’t have to drive through the upper loop where it’s a bit tight also. We will try that next time. This is an absolutely beautiful area though. Plenty of trail heads and pull off vistas. We did check out elk flat campground also but it had even smaller sites. Just an FYI, there was only a dump station at elk flat. Not at Lakeview.
T K
Amazing place for camping, fishing, and hiking. Lake is currently at capacity and well stocked. Stayed at Elk Flat campground. Sites were clean and lots of foliage for privacy between camp sites.