What does it cost to visit Cave Lake State Park?

Entry to Cave Lake State Park costs $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles). Hours: Always Open.

Do you need a reservation or ticket to visit Cave Lake State Park?

No, day use at Cave Lake State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.

When is Cave Lake State Park closed?

Elk Flat Campground opens early May and closes mid-October, weather permitting; Lake View Campground stays open year-round, though its facilities may close in extreme cold (as of September 25, 2026).

What facilities are at Cave Lake State Park?

Drinking water available. RV dump station on site. Showers available. Flush restrooms.

Are dogs allowed at Cave Lake State Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Cave Lake State Park.

Can you fly a drone at Cave Lake State Park?

No, drones and other remote-controlled aircraft are not allowed at Cave Lake State Park.

Can I swim at Cave Lake State Park?

Yes, Cave Lake is open to swimming at Cave Lake State Park.

State park

Cave Lake State Park

Cave Lake State Park is a state park in White Pine County, Nevada, 14 miles from Ely. Campsites cost $15 per vehicle ($20 for non-NV vehicles); camp and boat $20 ($25 for non-NV vehicles). Day use costs $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles). Hours: Always Open.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Cave Lake State Park on the managing agency's own page.

Cave Lake State Park map

Cave Lake State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

View larger map Open in Google Maps Directions

Closures

Elk Flat Campground opens early May and closes mid-October, weather permitting; Lake View Campground stays open year-round, though its facilities may close in extreme cold (as of September 25, 2026). Current notice

Fire restrictions

One fire restriction order is recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Each links the signed order.

Fire Restrictions in Place

Nevada Fire Info, BLM Nevada's interagency fire site, keeps the Nevada fire restrictions map and signed orders for every fire zone, and a Nevada fire map of active fires.

Common questions

: Cave Lake State Park has 2 developed campgrounds. Camping costs $15 per vehicle ($20 for non-NV vehicles); camp and boat $20 ($25 for non-NV vehicles). Stays are limited to 7 days in any 30-day period. There are 2 group sites.
: Entry to Cave Lake State Park costs $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles). Hours: Always Open.
: No, day use at Cave Lake State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
: Elk Flat Campground opens early May and closes mid-October, weather permitting; Lake View Campground stays open year-round, though its facilities may close in extreme cold (as of September 25, 2026).
: Cave Lake State Park is 14 miles from Ely. Most park roads are paved and kept clear of snow, but plowing may not happen for one or two days after a storm; plan for that without four-wheel drive. Call ahead before a winter arrival (as of September 25, 2026).
: Drinking water available. RV dump station on site. Showers available. Flush restrooms.
: Yes, dogs are allowed at Cave Lake State Park.
: No, drones and other remote-controlled aircraft are not allowed at Cave Lake State Park.
: Yes, Cave Lake is open to swimming at Cave Lake State Park.

Before you go

Cave Lake State Park is 14 miles from Ely.

Most park roads are paved and kept clear of snow, but plowing may not happen for one or two days after a storm; plan for that without four-wheel drive. Call ahead before a winter arrival (as of September 25, 2026).

Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.

Drinking water available
RV dump station on site
Showers available
Flush restrooms

Camping at Cave Lake State Park

Cave Lake State Park has 2 developed campgrounds. Camping costs $15 per vehicle ($20 for non-NV vehicles); camp and boat $20 ($25 for non-NV vehicles). Stays are limited to 7 days in any 30-day period. There are 2 group sites.

Campground inside the park boundary: Cave Lake State Park camping , with its reservation system, site amenities, and season on campgroundsdb.com.

Reserve a site with the park's booking system

Trails

Steptoe Creek Trail (3 mi round trip, easy) Starts at the lower parking lot, crosses the creek, returns via Success Summit Road
Cave Springs Trail (5 mi loop) Moderately strenuous; starts at the lower parking lot and winds through the hills
Cave Lake Overlook Trail (strenuous) Starts at the east end of the lake
Twisted Pines Trail (4.1 mi one way, moderate) Starts below Elk Flat Campground and ends on the Overlook Trail loop

Swimming

Cave Lake

Fishing and water

Fishing inside the park boundary: Cave Creek fishing and Cave Lake fishing , with the stocking record and species on fishypedia.com.

Public lands next to Cave Lake State Park

National forestCave Lake State Park borders Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Wilderness areaHigh Schells Wilderness is 0.4 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.