Walker Lake Campground
In Hawthorne, Nevada
Essential Guide
| ADDRESS |
|---|
| Hawthorne, Nevada GPS: 38.69161, -118.77339 Elevation: 4147′ |
| MANAGEMENT |
| Public – Bureau of Land Management (Unofficial) $10 to $20 per night |
Previous Reviews:
Walker Lake Campground: On the west side of the US-95, across the street from Sportsman’s Beach Campground on Walker Lake there is BLM land. The road in is Dirt and 0.5+ miles from a paved road. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 14 nights near Walker Lake. There are dirt roads with lots of room for dispersed camping. There are no designated spots, no facilities, just dirt roads in the high desert with a nice view of Walker Lake.
About This Location
If you’re after a quiet spot to camp near Hawthorne, Nevada, the Walker Lake campground is worth a look. Park your RV or pitch a tent and you’ll find yourself right by the water, surrounded by open space and silence.
The Walker Lake campground gives you access to basic camping facilities, plus a range of outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and bird watching. The lake’s pretty big, and its out-of-the-way location means you usually won’t be fighting crowds.
There are a few BLM campgrounds scattered around the lake. Sportsman’s Beach is probably the most popular—it has pull-through sites that can fit even the bigger rigs.
The Walker Lake campground spots are simple. Think fire rings, vault toilets, and a picnic table, but not much else.
Want to swim? Go for it. Maybe you’ll just hang out by the shore and watch the sun go down.
Walker Lake campground spots is a straightforward, peaceful place to unwind and unplug for a bit. It’s a classic campground destination if you want to keep things low-key.
Walker Lake Campground In Hawthorne, Nevada
When you’re camping near Walker Lake, you’re camping on BLM land with no fees. Dispersed camping lets you tuck away in quiet spots and avoid the crowds.
You can stay up to 14 days, so there’s plenty of time to explore. The landscape is wide open desert, with rugged peaks in the distance and wild horses sometimes wandering through.
The lake itself is good for swimming or fishing, and you’ll probably spot a few birds or maybe even other wildlife if you keep your eyes peeled.
Getting to the Walker Lake campground spots can be a bit of an adventure. Some roads are rough—4WD or high clearance helps, especially if you want to get off the beaten path.
Cell service? It’s hit or miss out here, but solar panels do great since shade is basically nonexistent.
Three BLM campgrounds are close to the lake if you want something a little more structured. They’re low-cost and make things a bit easier if you don’t want to rough it 100%.
There’s no water at the Walker Lake campground spots, so you’ll need to bring your own. Hawthorne is about 12 miles away and has groceries, gas, and water refill spots.
If you’re craving vast views and quiet, Walker Lake checks those boxes. Swimming, fishing, and bird watching are all solid ways to spend your days here.
Directions
Leaving Hawthorne, just head north on US-95. Drive about 12 miles and keep an eye out for a picnic and camping area on your right.
To get to the Walker Lake campground spots, turn left onto a dirt road just past that picnic area. The road can be rocky in places, so take it slow—sometimes you’ll want 4WD or high clearance, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling.
Once you’re out there, you’ll get wide-open views of Walker Lake and the mountains. For easier navigation, you can use the main BLM campgrounds as landmarks.
Twenty Mile Beach and Tamarack Beach are both right on the lakeshore. They have basic facilities and are easier to find if you want a managed site.
If amenities like picnic tables and vault toilets sound good, those beaches are your best bet. Just keep heading north along the lake from the dirt road and you’ll run into them.
Cell service is generally nonexistent in most campground areas. Sometimes you’ll catch a signal near the lakeshore, but it’s not something to count on.
Seriously, bring plenty of water or fill up in Hawthorne before you head out. There’s nothing at the sites themselves.
The drive from town to your campsite is usually 12 to 15 miles, depending on where you end up.
Vehicle Access And Pricing
Getting to Walker Lake campground spots, means driving on dirt roads across BLM land. Fees are pretty reasonable, but you’ll want to think about your vehicle size and road conditions before you commit.
Known Fees
Most campsites are on BLM land, so expect to pay around $10 to $20 per night for a single site. That covers vault toilets and fire rings, but don’t expect hookups or fancy extras.
Fees are usually paid at self-service stations, or sometimes online. Planning to stay longer or bring multiple vehicles? Double-check if you’ll need to pay extra.
Outside the campgrounds, there aren’t daily parking fees, but you still need to follow BLM rules and leave your site clean.
Road Conditions And Accessibility
The roads to Walker Lake campground spots are mostly dirt and gravel. Most of the time, a standard vehicle can handle it, but after rain it can get muddy and slippery.
If you’re hauling a large RV or trailer, some spots might be tricky to reach. Watch out for narrow or uneven sections, and expect some dust if the wind picks up.
This is a primitive camping area, so don’t expect paved roads or hookups. Bring all the water and fuel you’ll need—supplies aren’t close by, and there’s nothing worse than running out in the middle of nowhere.
Maximum RV Or Trailer Length
Most campsites at Sportsman’s Beach, along with other primitive areas, can handle RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. Some sites might squeeze in longer vehicles, but you’d need to get creative with your parking and positioning.
If your RV or trailer is over 30 feet, it’s probably wise to call ahead and double-check on site availability and road conditions. Those narrow dirt roads and tight turns can be a real headache for bigger rigs, honestly.
Tent campers and folks with smaller vehicles have it easier—restrictions are pretty minimal for them, especially out on BLM land. Still, it’s a good idea to scout your spot when you arrive, just to make sure you’ve got enough room to set up comfortably.
| AMENITIES: | ACTIVITIES: |
|---|---|
| Fire Rings Vault Toilets Picnic Table |
RV Camping Tent Camping Hiking Biking Fishing Boating Swimming Bird Watching Stargazing Wildlife Viewing |
Helpful Boondocking Information Links
Bureau of Land Management
Recreation.Gov
National Park Service
Over 10,000 Free Boondocking Locations
Boondocking Recipes for 1000’s Of Camping Meals
Leave No Trace
State Specific Information Links
Nevada Park Service
Nevada Fish and Game
Department of Natural Resources
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