ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, Eureka, NV

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR

RUN BY:  Bureau of Land Management

LOCATION:  east of Eureka, NV on US-50  (39.3344507  -115.390277)

UTILITIES: None

COST:  None

DISCOUNTS:  N/A

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category II, Score 3

NOTES:  Illipah actually wouldn’t be bad for multiple nights but I must admit I don’t know why you would unless you want to use the reservoir and/or just need time to rest. I really don’t mean for that to sound negative. It is a beautiful parking lot.  It was clean and had a good view but there weren’t any trails, etc. There was lots of room. We opted not to park next to one of the sun shelters. We had a nice view of the reservoir and mountains beyond.  There were wild horses grazing at the end of the reservoir.

Environment:   You are in the high desert. The camping area is a large parking area with sun shelters. Totally open. We were there in mid-October. The day was warm but it did get down to freezing at night.

Amenities:  None  

Dump:  No  (There is a KOA in Ely, 39 miles east.)

Public Water:  No

Toilets:  Pit

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No   (Laundry in Ely. 39 miles east)

Phone Service:  None

Location:  Located just off US-50 about half way between Eureka, NV 42 miles to the west and Ely, NV 39 miles to the east. Turn southwest off of US-50 onto NF-401.  Immediately turn left (NF-400) and follow the signs to the reservoir.   39.3344507  -115.390277

Proximity to shopping:  You are half way between two shopping area. Eureka is 42 miles west and Ely is 39 miles east.

Camping Population:  diverse. Combination of locals using the reservoir and those of us passing through.  

Sites:   dispersed camping.  Rough dirt road to get there but no problem for any size rig.

We elected not to use one of the shelters because the
wind block also blocked the view.

The reservoir just below the campground. Wild horses
grazed near the north end (to the right). 

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RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

                               one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service