# Glacial valleys, marshland and open range – by camper through the Ruby Mountains and the high country of northeastern Nevada

> From Elko through Lamoille Canyon, over Harrison Pass to Ruby Lake, up to Angel Lake and on gravel to Jarbidge: around 800 kilometres of Basin and Range…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-458-nevada-ruby-mountains-elko/

**At a glance:** 6-day road trip of about 668 km (415 mi) with 13 stops, from Elko to Carlin. About 7 h 24 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May and September–October. No toll roads expected for a car. From Elko through Lamoille Canyon, over Harrison Pass to Ruby Lake, up to Angel Lake and on gravel to Jarbidge: around 800 kilometres of Basin and Range between Basque cooking, granite cirques and sagebrush.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 668 km (415 mi) |
| Driving | 7 h 24 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 13 |
| Route | Elko → Carlin |
| States | NV |
| Best time to go | May and September–October |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-458-nevada-ruby-mountains-elko.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From Elko through Lamoille Canyon, over Harrison Pass to Ruby Lake, up to Angel Lake and on gravel to Jarbidge: around 800 kilometres of Basin and Range between Basque cooking, granite cirques and sagebrush.*

## The spirit of the route

Northeastern Nevada contradicts every desert cliché. Beyond Elko the Ruby Mountains rise like a wall out of the sagebrush, with cirques, mountain lakes and snowfields that last into summer – Ice Age glaciers ground Lamoille Canyon into a U-shaped valley you would sooner expect in the Alps. On the other side of the crest lies Ruby Lake, a marsh in the middle of the drylands where waterbirds call at night. In between: cattle on the road, cattle guards, gravel passes, ranches with windmills, places like Jiggs and Jarbidge that are more memories than villages. In the morning you see frost on the grass and pronghorn on the horizon from the sliding door; in the evening the sky gets so dark that the Milky Way seems to cast shadows. Here you count fuel stations rather than kilometres, and your phone often stays silent. In return, you usually have the spot by the lake to yourself.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Elko to Lamoille Canyon (approx. 55 km)

- **The drive:** From Elko take NV-227 southeast through Spring Creek, the residential development at the foot of the mountains, and across open range to Lamoille; around 30 kilometres, well built, two lanes. Just past Lamoille the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 660) begins: paved, around 19 kilometres (12 miles) long, climbing from about 1,800 to around 2,680 metres at Roads End. The road is narrow, without shoulders, with tight bends in the upper section; drive large vehicles slowly and use the pullouts. Driving time alone is around 1.5 hours, but the day belongs to Elko. The upper canyon is not ploughed in winter and is closed from roughly late autumn to late spring.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko: regional history of the Shoshone, emigrants, the railway and mining, plus a large wildlife exhibition with animals from around the world. On the grounds stands the original Pony Express station from Ruby Valley, which was moved here. Check opening hours in advance.
  - Basque cooking in Elko: shepherds from the Basque Country shaped Nevada's ranchland, and their boarding houses became restaurants. The Star Hotel, dating from 1910, still serves family-style meals at long tables – to go with it, a Picon Punch, the bitter aperitif of Nevada's Basques. In winter Elko hosts the Western Folklife Center's Cowboy Poetry Gathering, in summer a Basque festival; check the dates yourself.
  - Lamoille Canyon: viewpoints and information boards on the glaciation, waterfalls on the side walls and, at Roads End, the trailheads to Island Lake (around 3 kilometres one way, steep) and to Lamoille Lake, the start of the Ruby Crest Trail. The cirques are home to the Himalayan snowcock, an introduced bird species found nowhere else in North America.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Thomas Canyon Campground (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest): at around 2,300 metres in lower Lamoille Canyon among aspens and meadows, sites for tents and RVs, drinking water and toilets in season, reservations via recreation.gov. Check the length limit per site when booking; season roughly late spring to early autumn. Further up lies the small Terraces area, better suited to short vehicles and tents; ask the Ruby Mountains Ranger District about its status. Alternative in the valley: Tomera Campground in South Fork State Recreation Area south of Spring Creek, on the reservoir, with water and toilets.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Lamoille Canyon itself, overnight stays are only allowed at the campgrounds; car parks and trailheads are not pitches. Dispersed camping is available on other areas of the National Forest and on BLM land in the surrounding area, but not on the private and ranch land between Elko and Lamoille – fences and cattle guards mark the boundaries; use maps such as the Forest Service's Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up, shop and top up your water in Elko – there are no services in the canyon, and the next few days will be sparse. In the canyon there is practically no mobile signal. The little white church in Lamoille against the mountain backdrop is a classic photo subject in the evening light. Nights at Thomas Canyon are cool even in high summer and often frosty in September.

### Stage 2: Lamoille Canyon to Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** Back to Spring Creek, then south on NV-227 and NV-228 through Huntington Valley to Jiggs; paved as far as there. Just past Jiggs the tarmac ends, and Harrison Pass Road crosses the pass (around 2,210 metres) into Ruby Valley as an unpaved road: steep, winding, slippery when wet, with washboard and loose gravel; Travel Nevada lists it as an off-road route. Usually manageable for high-clearance vans and pickup campers in dry weather, not recommended for RVs and trailers. These should take I-80 east and NV-229 through Secret Pass into Ruby Valley, then head south on NV-767 and County Road 788 along the eastern edge of the valley – considerably longer, with paved and gravel sections. Driving time alone over the pass is around 2.5–3 hours. Between Spring Creek and Wells or Ely there is no reliable fuel station.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Jiggs: tiny ranch settlement in Huntington Valley with an old bar as the ranchers' meeting place; all around, hay meadows, windmills and the western flank of the Rubies.
  - Harrison Pass: from the summit, a wide view back over Huntington Valley and ahead to Ruby Valley with its marsh; the Ruby Crest Trail ends at the pass.
  - Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge: spring-fed marsh with open water, dikes and channels at the eastern foot of the Ruby Mountains; migrating birds in spring and autumn, breeding ground for ducks, herons and sandhill cranes. The Collection Ditch is a popular spot for canoeing and anglers; observe the refuge's boating regulations.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** South Ruby Campground (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest) at the southern end of the refuge: at around 1,830 metres among juniper and sagebrush with views over the marsh, sites for larger RVs too, no electric hookups; drinking water and toilets in the main season, roughly from early May to late September, reservations via recreation.gov. The lower loop usually stays open in winter too, but without water. Whether there is a dump station, ask the Ranger District in Wells in advance. Camping is not permitted in the refuge itself.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On BLM land in Ruby Valley and Huntington Valley, dispersed camping is generally allowed for a maximum of 14 days; however, much of the land is private or leased. At Zunino/Jiggs Reservoir south of Jiggs there is a simple public area without services; check its status and access beforehand. Overnight stays on refuge land are prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Only drive Harrison Pass in dry weather and in daylight, and ask the Ranger District about conditions beforehand; after thunderstorms or in spring it can be impassable, and from autumn it snows. At the refuge the mosquitoes bite hard in summer – have screens and repellent ready. No mobile signal in Ruby Valley: get the weather forecast while still in Elko.

### Stage 3: Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge to Wells and Angel Lake (approx. 190 km)

- **The drive:** North along the eastern edge of Ruby Valley on the valley road, past ranches and hay meadows, then on NV-229 through Secret Pass between the Ruby Mountains and the East Humboldt Range to I-80 at Halleck, and east on the interstate to Wells. From Wells, Angel Lake Road (NV-231) climbs around 19 kilometres to the lake at about 2,550 metres: paved, but steep and with tight hairpins in the upper section. Long RVs and trailers should heed the signs on vehicle length and are better off parking at the lower campground. Driving time alone is around 3 hours. The upper Angel Lake Road often only opens in early summer after the snowmelt and closes with the first snow.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Secret Pass: narrow gap between the Ruby Mountains and the East Humboldt Range, today a quiet road with views of both ranges. East of it, NV-229 follows the course of the Hastings Cutoff, a shortcut of the California Trail.
  - Angel Lake: cirque lake below the rock walls of the East Humboldt Range, with patches of snow on the shore in summer; a short path leads around the lake, with hikes to Greys Lake for the sure-footed. From the road, views over the whole Wells valley.
  - Metropolis near Wells: ruins of a failed early 20th-century settlement, including the arch of the old school – a quiet photo subject in the evening light, reached by a short gravel road.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Angel Lake Campground (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest) right on the lake, small sites, better suited to vans and short RVs, drinking water and toilets in season. Further down, at around 1,890 metres, lies Angel Creek Campground, easier to reach for larger vehicles (sites up to about 35 feet, around 10.5 metres), with water and vault toilets. Both are usually open from about June to October, reservations possible via recreation.gov; check the length limit per site. Wells has private RV parks with full hookups.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Dispersed camping is possible on BLM and National Forest land around Wells wherever there are no prohibition signs; along Angel Lake Road only on designated areas and not in pullouts. Respect the ranches' signs: cattle guards are no indication of public land.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Wells is the supply point for the next few days: fuel, water, dump station at the truck stops or RV parks, shopping in the small store – larger supermarkets are only found in Elko. At Angel Lake it is cold at night even in August; check your gas and heating. Cattle are often on the road on the drive up to the lake.

### Stage 4: Wells to Jarbidge (approx. 250 km)

- **The drive:** The most reliable access to Jarbidge is via Idaho: north on US-93 for around 110 kilometres through Thousand Springs Valley to Jackpot on the state line, on to Rogerson and west on Three Creek Road across the high plateau. This is paved for a long stretch; the last roughly 29 kilometres (18 miles) are unpaved and lead into the narrow canyon of the Jarbidge River. The route is usually passable year-round and is the only access maintained in winter. For large RVs and trailers the final section is hard going; narrow spots, hardly any places to turn. Driving time alone is around 4 hours. Jackpot is the last reliable fuel station – set off with a full tank and a reserve.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Thousand Springs Valley and the high plateau: endless sagebrush flats, pronghorn and raptors on the fence posts; hardly any traffic on Three Creek Road.
  - Jarbidge: gold-mining town in a narrow canyon that grew up after the gold strike of 1909, with wooden houses, the small jail and the community hall. In 1916 this was the scene of the robbery considered the last stagecoach hold-up of the Wild West. Only a handful of people still live here year-round.
  - Jarbidge Wilderness: designated in 1964 as Nevada's first wilderness area, with peaks over 3,200 metres; trails start in the canyon south of town.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Along the river above and below Jarbidge there are several small Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest campgrounds: south of town Pine Creek, Upper and Lower Bluster and Pavlak, to the north Sawmill. Basic facilities, mostly without drinking water, suitable for vans and short vehicles. Free or inexpensive; check status with the Ranger District.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Jarbidge Canyon and on the surrounding National Forest, dispersed camping is possible outside the wilderness wherever no prohibitions apply; vehicles are banned in the wilderness itself. Observe fire bans in summer; they often apply to the whole area.
- **Insider tip for campers:** No mobile signal, only occasional Wi-Fi in Jarbidge – sort out offline maps, weather and your return route beforehand and tell someone your route. Whether fuel is available in town is uncertain; don't count on it. The tracks south towards Charleston are often closed from October or November until June or July; in spring, mud and rockfall take their toll on the tracks.

### Stage 5: Jarbidge to Wild Horse State Recreation Area (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** The direct link runs as an unpaved county road (CR 748) around 35 kilometres south over Bear Creek Summit (around 2,590 metres) and Coon Creek Summit (around 2,560 metres) to Charleston, then on CR 746 a good 40 kilometres west to NV-225 and north on it to Wild Horse Reservoir. The tracks are not ploughed in winter and are often closed from October or November until June or July; steep grades, loose surface, no services. Only for high-clearance vans, pickup campers and off-road-capable vehicles in dry weather. With a large RV or trailer, go back via Idaho and Jackpot to Wells and via I-80 and Elko to NV-225 – a full day's drive. Driving time alone over the pass is 3–4 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Bear Creek and Coon Creek Summit: two high passes with views of the Jarbidge Mountains; wildflowers in early summer, golden aspens in autumn.
  - Charleston: little more than a few ranches in a remote high valley, quiet, with pronghorn and raptors.
  - Wild Horse Reservoir: large reservoir at around 1,900 metres, fishing and paddling in summer, ice fishing in winter.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wild Horse State Recreation Area (Nevada State Parks) on the reservoir: campground with just over 30 sites, each with a table, shade structure and fire ring; toilets and showers year-round, water taps and dump station in summer only. Information on electric hookups is contradictory – don't count on them. Open year-round, reservations via the Nevada State Parks system (reservenevada.com). Further north lies the National Forest's Wildhorse Crossing Campground on the Owyhee River, simpler and seasonal.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Dispersed camping is possible on BLM land around Wild Horse and Charleston, for up to 14 days. On state park land only at the campground. North of Mountain City, at the Idaho state line, the Duck Valley Indian Reservation begins – its own rules and permits apply there.
- **Insider tip for campers:** On NV-225 and the gravel tracks, cattle and occasionally wild horses often cross the road, especially at dusk. Adjust your speed and avoid driving at night if possible. Mountain City north of the reservoir has only limited services; Elko is the nearest large town.

### Stage 6: Wild Horse State Recreation Area to Carlin (approx. 160 km)

- **The drive:** South on NV-225 for around 110 kilometres across the high plateau back to Elko; two lanes, open range, little traffic. Restock in Elko, then west on I-80 to the California Trail Interpretive Center at the Hunter exit and on through Carlin Canyon with its tunnels to Carlin. Driving time alone is around 2 hours. From Carlin or Battle Mountain you can link up south to Highway 50.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - California Trail Interpretive Center (BLM) west of Elko: exhibitions on emigration along the California Trail, replica wagons and tents, and a nature trail through the sagebrush with views of the Humboldt River, which the wagon trains followed. Free admission; check opening hours in advance.
  - Carlin Canyon: I-80 crosses the canyon of the Humboldt River in tunnels; along the old highway, rock strata are exposed that geologists know as a textbook example of an unconformity.
  - A farewell to Elko: the Western Folklife Center in the historic Pioneer Hotel with exhibitions on cowboy culture, and one last Basque dinner.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** For the last night, head back to South Fork State Recreation Area (Tomera Campground) south of Spring Creek or to a private RV park in Elko with full hookups. If you are travelling on: Battle Mountain has private RV parks.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Along I-80 and around Carlin there is a lot of BLM land with dispersed camping, some of it next to mining areas and railway lines – heed the signs. Stopping overnight at rest areas is only intended as a rest break. Supermarket car parks in Elko only with explicit permission.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The truck stops in Elko and Carlin have large pumps for long vehicles, often dump stations and water. On I-80, watch out for crosswind gusts when it's windy, especially in the open terrain west of Carlin. If you are carrying on south to Highway 50, you will find the route in the CampingSpirit travel guide to the “Loneliest Road” through the Great Basin.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Much of Nevada consists of public land managed by the BLM and the Forest Service; dispersed camping is allowed there unless prohibited, usually for up to 14 days in one place. Not on state park land, in wildlife refuges or on private land.
- Ranches, rangeland and fences are the norm: cattle guards and open range do not mean public land. Leave gates as you found them. Maps such as the Motor Vehicle Use Map and BLM maps (e.g. in onX or Gaia GPS) help you work out where you are.
- Reservations: campgrounds in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Thomas Canyon, South Ruby, Angel Lake, Angel Creek) via recreation.gov, Nevada State Parks (Wild Horse, South Fork) via their own reservation system. Many sites close with the snow.
- Fire: in summer, fire bans often apply across entire areas of land; check the status with the BLM Elko District and the Forest Service. Autumn is hunting season – wear bright or orange clothing on hikes.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and recreation.gov. There is no mobile signal in the mountains, in Ruby Valley and around Jarbidge, so save sites and maps offline.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Elko is the only sizeable supply centre on the route: supermarkets, propane, repair shops, dump stations and drinking water. Wells, Jackpot and Carlin offer basic services.
- Fuel: between Spring Creek and Wells (via Ruby Valley) and between Jackpot and Elko (via Jarbidge and Wild Horse) there is no reliable fuel station. Always fill up whenever you get the chance, and plan a reserve for gravel-road driving.
- Drinking water: at the campgrounds usually only in season; the basic sites near Jarbidge often have no water. Carry at least enough water for two to three days; filter stream water.
- Only empty grey water and chemical toilets at dump stations – in Elko, Wells and at state parks (Wild Horse in summer only).
- Propane: in Elko and Wells, fuel stations and RV parks fill US cylinders and built-in tanks; European cylinders are generally not refilled. At high altitude and in the cold the heating uses considerably more gas.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: up to 80 mph on I-80 in Nevada, mostly 65–70 mph on two-lane highways, considerably less in towns; observe signs for vehicles with trailers and trucks. Phones at the wheel hands-free only.
- Open range: on large parts of the route cattle, sheep and occasionally wild horses roam freely across the roads, including at night and around bends. In a collision you will usually bear the damage to your own vehicle yourself. Avoid driving at dusk and at night.
- Altitude: the route lies above 1,500 metres throughout, with Roads End in Lamoille Canyon and Angel Lake above 2,500 metres. Engine and brakes are put under greater strain on climbs and descents; use low gears.
- Snow and weather: expect snow in the mountains from October; Lamoille Canyon, Angel Lake Road, Harrison Pass and the tracks around Jarbidge are not ploughed and can be closed for months. NDOT reports road conditions and chain requirements via 511 and nvroads.com. In summer, thunderstorms with heavy rain on the tracks.
- Gravel roads: rental agreements often exclude unpaved roads – check in advance. Carry a spare wheel, compressor and tools; drive slowly on washboard.
- There are no tolls in Nevada. Emergency: 911; in dead zones a satellite communicator or a phone with satellite SOS helps.
- Since 2026, higher fees apply in some cases at US national parks for visitors without US residence; check current amounts on nps.gov. There is no national park on this route, but the America the Beautiful Pass is valid on federal fee areas.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- An extra jerrycan of fuel (where permitted and securely stowed) or precise range planning: there are no reliable fuel stations between Wells, Jackpot and Elko.
- Satellite communicator or a phone with satellite SOS and offline maps: there is no reception in Ruby Valley, in the canyons and around Jarbidge.
- Compressor, tyre repair kit and tyres with plenty of tread left: Harrison Pass and the tracks to Jarbidge are stony.
- Warm sleeping bag and reliable heating: at 2,200 to 2,550 metres the nights are freezing as early as late summer.
- Mosquito net and repellent: at Ruby Lake the mosquitoes are fierce in early summer.
- Binoculars: for pronghorn, mountain goats, raptors and the bird migration at Ruby Lake.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Nevada State Parks – Wild Horse State Recreation Area](https://parks.nv.gov/parks/wild-horse-state-recreation-area)
- [Recreation.gov – Thomas Canyon Campground](https://recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232112)
- [Recreation.gov – South Ruby Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232091)
- [USDA Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF – Mountain City, Ruby Mountains, Jarbidge Ranger District](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-toiyabe/recreation/mountain-city-ruby-mountains-jarbidge-ranger-district)
- [Travel Nevada – Angel Creek Campground](https://travelnevada.com/camping/angel-creek-campground/)
- [Travel Nevada – Harrison Pass](https://travelnevada.com/off-roading/harrison-pass/)
- [Wikipedia – Jarbidge, Nevada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarbidge,_Nevada)
- [Wikipedia – Nevada State Route 229](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_State_Route_229)
- [Recreation.gov – Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/3920)
- [Recreation.gov – Jarbidge Wild and Scenic River](https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/14977)

## Which stops are on the route from Elko to Carlin?

1. **Elko** (NV)
2. **Lamoille** (NV)
3. **Lamoille Canyon** (Lamoille, NV): A glacier-carved valley in the Ruby Mountains with steep walls, meadows and aspen, reached by a scenic road ending at a trailhead. Visit in late spring to autumn and allow time for a walk at the end of the road.
4. **Jiggs** (NV)
5. **Harrison Pass** (NV)
6. **Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge** (NV)
7. **Wells** (NV)
8. **Angel Lake** (NV)
9. **Jackpot** (NV)
10. **Jarbidge** (NV)
11. **Wild Horse State Recreation Area** (NV)
12. **California Trail Interpretive Center** (NV)
13. **Carlin** (NV)

## When is the best time for the route from Elko to Carlin?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July–August. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Glacial valleys, marshland and open range – by camper through the Ruby Mountains and the high country of northeastern Nevada?**
6-day road trip of about 668 km (415 mi) with 13 stops, from Elko to Carlin. About 7 h 24 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Glacial valleys, marshland and open range – by camper through the Ruby Mountains and the high country of northeastern Nevada?**
We suggest 6 days: about 7 h 24 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Glacial valleys, marshland and open range – by camper through the Ruby Mountains and the high country of northeastern Nevada start and end?**
It starts in Elko and ends in Carlin.

**Which states does Glacial valleys, marshland and open range – by camper through the Ruby Mountains and the high country of northeastern Nevada pass through?**
Nevada.

**Where can you camp along Glacial valleys, marshland and open range – by camper through the Ruby Mountains and the high country of northeastern Nevada?**
OpenStreetMap lists 28 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Angel Lake RV Park, Mountain Shadows RV Park and Angel Creek Campground.