CampgroundsDB

Big Creek Campground

Its 8 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping is free, and it is open from May to October. Big Creek Campground is a National Forest campground near Austin, Nevada.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Austin, Nevada

Kingston Canyon near Groves Lake along Kingston Canyon Road, the canyon and lake this campground provides access to, not the campground site itselfWildflowers in Copper Basin, northern Elko County, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which the campground sits inside
Kingston Canyon near Groves Lake along Kingston Canyon Road, the canyon and lake this campground provides access to, not the campground site itselfWildflowers in Copper Basin, northern Elko County, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which the campground sits inside1 / 2

Kingston Canyon near Groves Lake along Kingston Canyon Road, the canyon and lake this campground provides access to, not the campground site itself. Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Managed by
National Forest
Access road
Gravel
Cell service
No coverage
Shade
Some shade

Big Creek Campground sits inside Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Kingston Canyon and Groves Lake: Big Creek Campground provides direct access to Kingston Canyon and Groves Lake via Forest Service Road 002, a scenic canyon drive and lake south of the campground.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26

Sites and hookups

Total sites
8
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✓ Pets allowed
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets, fire rings, and pets allowed. No potable water.

Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26; boondockersbible.com, accessed 2026-09-26

Rules

Stay limit
14 days in a 30-day period
Pets
Allowed

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26

Access and cell service

Access road
Gravel
Cell service, reported
No coverage
Shade
Some shade

39.3464, -117.1361 in Lander. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Big Creek Campground is open from May to October .

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Big Creek Campground?
No. Big Creek Campground is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Big Creek Campground?
Camping at Big Creek Campground is free.
How many campsites does Big Creek Campground have?
Big Creek Campground has 8 campsites.
Is there drinking water at Big Creek Campground?
No. Big Creek Campground has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Are dogs allowed at Big Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Campground.
When is Big Creek Campground open?
Big Creek Campground is open from May to October.
How long can you stay at Big Creek Campground?
The stay limit at Big Creek Campground is 14 days in a 30-day period.
Is there cell service at Big Creek Campground?
Probably not: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at or within about half a mile of Big Creek Campground. Visitor reports on record agree. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.
Who manages Big Creek Campground?
Big Creek Campground is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Big Creek Campground

fishypedia.com · 7.4 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Groves Lake, whose mapped center point is 7.4 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Groves Lake fishing on fishypedia.com.

Hot springs nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest hot spring to Big Creek Campground, in a straight line: Spencer Hot Springs (hot spring, 15 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

First-come Kingston Campground Kingston · National Forest Season May to October Fee Free First-come Bob Scott Campground Austin · National Forest Season May to October Fee Single Site $10 per night ($5 with a senior or access pass)

More campgrounds: camping near Austin and campgrounds in Lander.

Sources

Photo credits

First-come, first-served Free
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