U.S. Forest Service · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters · Wells, NV

South Ruby Campground

South Ruby Campground is situated above Ruby Lake at the base of the beautiful Ruby Mountains at 6,000 feet in elevation, near the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Ruby Valley, Nevada. Ruby Valley is a surprising wildlife oasis. An expansive marsh is laced with riparian corridors coursing with cool, spring-fed waters. Together with lush meadow and shrub-steppe uplands, these habitats support a diversity of wildlife seldom found in the high desert and is one of the most important waterfowl nesting areas in the region. The refuge is either home or a stopover location for over 220 species of birds.

Reservable · Recreation.gov 37 sites 50 ft max No hookupsPets okFires ok

More like this: reservable in Nevada · big rigs in Nevada · pets allowed in Nevada

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗

Photos courtesy of Scenic Canyons Recreational Services, Inc · Recreation.gov

Site mix

RV, no hookups		19
Standard, no hookups		16
Host/management		2

Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

Towing a trailerRear or front mounted accessoriesi

Tow vehicle length, ftTrailer length, ft

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

35 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Fits, ft	Surface	Shade	People / vehicles	Fires
001	LOWE	Standard	Back-in	45	Gravel		8 / 2	Yes
002	LOWE	Standard	Back-in	50	Gravel		8 / 2	Yes
003	LOWE	RV	Back-in	45	Gravel		8 / 2	Yes
004	LOWE	RV	Back-in	50	Gravel	Partial	8 / 2	Yes
005	LOWE	RV	Back-in	50	Gravel	Partial	8 / 2	Yes
006	LOWE	Standard	Back-in	45	Gravel	Partial	8 / 2	Yes
007	LOWE	RV	Back-in	50	Gravel		8 / 2	Yes
008	LOWE	RV	Back-in	50	Gravel		8 / 2	Yes
009	LOWE	RV	Back-in	50	Gravel	Partial	8 / 2	Yes
010	LOWE	RV	Back-in	50	Gravel	Partial	8 / 2	Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

Hookups	None
Max vehicle length	50 ft
Equipment	RVs & trailers, Tents
Pets	Allowed
Campfires	Allowed, subject to restrictions

A forest of pinyon pine and juniper covers the area offering partial shade. The campground contains 33 single sites, one double and one accessible site with picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided during the main summer season, which usually runs from early May to late September. Garbage service is available through the summer months. The lower loop of the campground typically remains open all winter, but may be closed depending on local conditions. Off season camping is first come first serve with a reduced fee without water available; only campsites, picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets offered at that time. Both RV and tent campsites are available for those who visit the campground.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

Season	May to November
Forest	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Booking	Yes, reservations are required for campsites at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232091 or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777).
Fees	Per Day: $17 Single/$34 Double
Rules	Dogs must be on a leash at campground. No stock allowed in campground.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →

The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Ruby Lake Nwr, 2 miles from the campground at 6,019 feet, station USC00267123 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 14 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 52 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Take Interstate 80 to Highway 93. Exit at Wells and follow Highway 93 south for 30 miles to State Route 229. Follow State Route 229 for 15 miles, then head south on State Route 767 and County Road 788 for 30 miles, to the campground.

Nearest town	Wells, Nevada
Coordinates	40.1747° N, 115.5003° W · Directions ↗

Explore

Video

RUBY'S INN RV Park & Campground Review | BRYCE CANYON Camping Back-Up Plan

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →

0.1 mi
South Ruby 5
0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
0.2 mi
South Ruby 4
0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
0.2 mi
South Ruby 4 Spur A
0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
0.2 mi
South Ruby 3
0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
0.2 mi
South Ruby 4 Connector
0.06 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
0.3 mi
South Ruby 3 Spur A
0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

in
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge ↗
National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 40,055 acres

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

Other campgrounds nearby

FS · NV

Terraces Campground - Picnic Area

Historic landmarks nearby

On Register Atlas →

National Historic Landmark · 8 mi

Fort Ruby

Hobson

Natural features

The campground is situated above Ruby Lake, at an elevation of 6,000 feet. A forest of pinyon pine and juniper covers the area. The trees provide good privacy between campsites, but limited shade.

Recreation

Ruby Lake is visible from the campground and offers excellent birding, fishing and hiking. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass and several species of trout. The Ruby Lake NWR headquarters is two miles north of the campground and offers visitor information. The campground is located on the Hastings Cutoff route, near the Pony Express Trail and historic ruins of Fort Ruby. An interpretive trail was recently constructed at Fort Ruby historic site and provides insight on local history as well as spectacular views of the southern Ruby Mountains, uninterrupted by development. The southern trailhead for the Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail at Green Mountain Traihead is located within reasonable driving distance from the campground. Many dirt and gravel roads begin at Harrison Pass (just north of the refuge), and Overland Pass (south of the area), and provide enjoyable routes for jeeps, off-road motorcycles, OHVs, and mountain bikes.

Guidebooks for Nevada

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Hiking Nevada
Bruce Grubbs, 2018
Find at Bookshop.org
Best Backpacking Trips in California and Nevada
Mike White and Douglas Lorain, 2015
Find at Bookshop.org
Best Hikes Reno and Lake Tahoe
Tracy Salcedo, 2019
Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at South Ruby Campground?

Sites at South Ruby Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Yes, reservations are required for campsites at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232091 or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at South Ruby Campground?

Per Day: $17 Single/$34 Double

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at South Ruby Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does South Ruby Campground have?

37 sites, including 19 RV sites without hookups and 16 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at South Ruby Campground?

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at South Ruby Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at South Ruby Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at South Ruby Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs must be on a leash at campground.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at South Ruby Campground?

Ruby Lake is visible from the campground and offers excellent birding, fishing and hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to South Ruby Campground?

Wells, Nevada.