Thomas Canyon
Thomas Canyon Campground is located in the scenic Lamoille Canyon, in northeast Nevada, 30 miles from Elko. Visitors enjoy fishing Lamoille Creek and exploring many local hiking trails.
More like this: reservable in Nevada · big rigs in Nevada · pets allowed in Nevada
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 31 |
| RV, no hookups | 7 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
39 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | A | RV | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | A | Standard | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | A | RV | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | A | RV | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 007 | A | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 3 | Yes | |
| 008 | A | RV | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | A | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009A | A | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | B | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 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 | 65 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site 006 is listed accessible |
The campground offers single and double campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring, and grill. Some sites also have tent pads. Vault toilets, drinking water, and trash collection are provided. During the first-come, first-served season (typically late-September through late-October-dependent on current conditions), there is no campground host on-site and water facilites (e.g. drinking water) are not available as they are turned off for the fall and winter seasons.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May to November |
| Forest | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest |
| Booking | Yes, reservations are required for campsites at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232112 or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | Per Day: $19 Single/$38 Double |
| Rules | Dogs must be on a leash at campground. No stock allowed in campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take I-80 to any Elko exit and head south to Idaho Street. Turn south on 12th Street (from the east) or on 5th Street (from the west), to State Route 227. Travel 25 miles on SR 227 to Forest Road 660 (Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway). Travel 8 miles on FR 660 to the campground.
| Nearest town | Wells, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 40.6500° N, 115.4036° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Video
Thomas Canyon Campground - Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, NV
Worth a stop
- 2.4 mi
- 3.3 miRoads End Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.9 miSoldier Basin Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miNew Thomas Canyon0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miThomas Canyon2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miLamoille Canyon Interpretive0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miRight Fork Lamoille ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.9 miLions Camp1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.1 miLamoille to Talbot4 mi trail · hiking, horse
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
This campground sits inside Ruby Mountains Wilderness.
- inRuby Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 92,652 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
Natural features
The campground sits at the mouth of Thomas Canyon, a part of larger Lamoille Canyon, at an elevation of 7,200 feet. Both canyons are within the beautiful Ruby Mountains, a desert island brimming with wildlife, sparkling lakes and streams, wildflower-filled meadows and jagged peaks. Groves of aspen and cottonwood trees provide partial shade in the campground and beautiful fall color. Lamoille Creek runs through the site. All campsites afford breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and canyon walls.
Recreation
Lamoille Creek is a popular stream among fly-fishermen. The creek contains brook and wild rainbow trout. Lamoille Canyon offers numerous hiking and horseback riding trails that lead to alpine lakes and vistas. Thomas Canyon Trail begins at the campground, leading past several waterfalls, through an alpine meadow into a glacial cirque. The canyon road is popular for scenic driving and road biking. Many rock climbing routes can be found on the canyon walls.
Guidebooks for Nevada
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Best Backpacking Trips in California and NevadaMike White and Douglas Lorain, 2015Find 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 Thomas Canyon?
Sites at Thomas Canyon are reservable on Recreation.gov. Yes, reservations are required for campsites at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232112 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 Thomas Canyon?
Per Day: $19 Single/$38 Double
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Thomas Canyon?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Thomas Canyon open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Thomas Canyon have?
43 sites, including 31 standard sites without power, 7 RV sites without hookups, and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Thomas Canyon?
The longest site here provides 65 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 Thomas Canyon?
Yes, pets are allowed at Thomas Canyon. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Thomas Canyon?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs must be on a leash at campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Thomas Canyon?
Site 006 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Thomas Canyon?
Lamoille Creek is a popular stream among fly-fishermen. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Thomas Canyon?
Wells, Nevada.
Source: Getting there
What if Thomas Canyon is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Terraces Campground - Picnic Area (2.3 mi), Angel Lake (31.1 mi), and Angel Creek (32.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby