Thomas Canyon Campground
Its 39 sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, camping costs Single Site: $19 per night ($9.50 with a senior or access pass), Double Site: $38 per night, and it is open from May to November. Thomas Canyon Campground is a National Forest campground near Elko, Nevada.
Closed Reservable: Recreation.gov
1 / 6View up Thomas Canyon toward Mount Fitzgerald from Thomas Canyon Campground, June 2014. Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Hookups
- None
- Max RV length
- 65 ft
- Access road
- Paved
- Cell service
- No coverage
- Shade
- Some shade
Thomas Canyon Campground sits inside Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits 0.2 miles outside the boundary of Ruby Mountains Wilderness; its permit and camping rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Lamoille Canyon: The campground sits at the mouth of Thomas Canyon within Lamoille Canyon on the Ruby Mountains' paved Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway (NF-660); Lamoille Creek runs through the site and the Thomas Canyon Trail begins at the campground, passing waterfalls into a glacial cirque. (en.wikipedia.org)
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- Recreation.gov Book a site
- Fee
- Single Site: $19 per night ($9.50 with a senior or access pass), Double Site: $38 per night
- Booking window
- Reservable mid-May to early-September; first-come late-September through late-October, reduced services
- Cancellations
- Recreation.gov: $10 fee withheld on cancellation; cancelling the day before or day of arrival also forfeits the first night's fee; no-shows pay $20 and forfeit the first night.
Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26; recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-26; apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-27
Sites and hookups
- Total sites
- 39
- Tent sites
- 1
- RV sites
- 7
- Accessible sites
- 1
- Hookups
- None
- Max RV length
- 65 ft
- Site driveways
- Mixed
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Potable water
- ✓ Dump station
- ✓ Fire rings
- ✓ Pets allowed
On site: Toilets, potable water, dump station, fire rings, and pets allowed.
Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26; recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-26; thedyrt.com, accessed 2026-09-26; campsitephotos.com, accessed 2026-09-26
Campsites
39 sites in 3 loops; 4 pull-through; the longest takes a 65 ft vehicle. Every site below links to its own page on Recreation.gov, where it is booked. Official site list and booking on recreation.gov.
| Book | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | A | Rv nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop A, site 003 |
| 004 | A | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop A, site 004 |
| 005 | A | Rv nonelectric | 45 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop A, site 005 |
| 006 | A | Rv nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | Yes | Yes | Book loop A, site 006 |
| 007 | A | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop A, site 007 |
| 008 | A | Rv nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop A, site 008 |
| 009 | A | Rv nonelectric | 30 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop A, site 009 |
| 009A | A | Tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop A, site 009A |
| 010 | B | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 010 |
| 011 | B | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 011 |
| 012 | B | Rv nonelectric | 45 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop B, site 012 |
| 013 | B | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 013 |
| 014 | B | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 014 |
| 015 | B | Standard nonelectric | 30 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 015 |
| 016 | B | Standard nonelectric | 65 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 016 |
| 017 | B | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop B, site 017 |
| 018 | B | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 018 |
| 019 | B | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 019 |
| 020 | B | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop B, site 020 |
| 021 | C | Rv nonelectric | 45 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 021 |
| 022 | C | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop C, site 022 |
| 023 | C | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 023 |
| 024 | C | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 024 |
| 025 | C | Standard nonelectric | 20 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop C, site 025 |
| 026 | C | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop C, site 026 |
| 027 | C | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop C, site 027 |
| 028 | C | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Full | Book loop C, site 028 |
| 029 | C | Standard nonelectric | 35 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 029 |
| 030 | C | Standard nonelectric | 20 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 030 |
| 031 | C | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop C, site 031 |
| 032 | C | Standard nonelectric | 30 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Not on record | Book loop C, site 032 |
| 033 | C | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 033 |
| 034 | C | Standard nonelectric | 45 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 034 |
| 035 | C | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 035 |
| 036 | C | Standard nonelectric | 25 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 036 |
| 037 | C | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 037 |
| 038 | C | Standard nonelectric | 40 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 038 |
| 039 | C | Standard nonelectric | 20 ft | Back-in | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 039 |
| 040 | C | Standard nonelectric | 50 ft | Pull-through | Not on record | No | Yes | Book loop C, site 040 |
Data source: Recreation.gov , accessed 2026-09-26. Site details are Recreation.gov's own per-site listing and can differ from the campground-wide facts above.
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
- Paved
- Cell service, reported
- No coverage
- Shade
- Some shade
- Elevation
- 7,200 ft
Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)
- AT&T
- No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
- T-Mobile
- No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
- Verizon
- No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away
- World Mobile
- No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.3 mi away
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025
Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. 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. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.
40.6472, -115.4068 in Elko. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Season and winter services
Thomas Canyon Campground is open from May to November , at 7,200 ft.
Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-26; recreation.gov, accessed 2026-09-26
Current conditions
Closed Agency notice, as of 2026-09-26: Lamoille Canyon Road is closed above Lions Camp Lamoille for reconstruction starting Sept. 14, 2026 (Forest Order 04-17-26-06-03); Thomas Canyon Campground is closed for the season as a result, work expected to continue through the end of October 2026.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Thomas Canyon Campground?
How much does it cost to camp at Thomas Canyon Campground?
What happens if I cancel or don't show up at Thomas Canyon Campground?
How many campsites does Thomas Canyon Campground have?
Are there accessible (ADA) campsites at Thomas Canyon Campground?
Does Thomas Canyon Campground have RV hookups?
Are there pull-through sites at Thomas Canyon Campground?
Is there drinking water at Thomas Canyon Campground?
Are dogs allowed at Thomas Canyon Campground?
When is Thomas Canyon Campground open?
How long can you stay at Thomas Canyon Campground?
Is there cell service at Thomas Canyon Campground?
Who manages Thomas Canyon Campground?
Around Thomas Canyon Campground
Thomas Canyon Campground sits on Lamoille Creek, 0.9 miles from the lake's mapped center point. Stocking record and species: Lamoille Creek fishing on fishypedia.com.
South Fork Reservoir's mapped center point is 20 miles from Thomas Canyon Campground in a straight line. Current water level: South Fork Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.
Hot springs nearby
The nearest hot spring to Thomas Canyon Campground, in a straight line: Ruby Valley Hot Springs (hot spring, 27 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.
More campgrounds: camping near Elko and campgrounds in Elko.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-26
- fs.usda.gov (sites, hookups, reservationSystem, reservationWindow, fee, season, elevationFt, petsAllowed, notableFeature), accessed 2026-09-26
- recreation.gov (sites, hookups, toilets, water, showers, dumpStation, fireRings, reservationSystem, reservationUrl, season, campsites), accessed 2026-09-26
- thedyrt.com (maxRvLengthFt, drivewayType, accessRoad, cellService, shade, dumpStation, showers, closure), accessed 2026-09-26
- campsitephotos.com (sites, drivewayType), accessed 2026-09-26
- fs.usda.gov (closure), accessed 2026-09-26
- fs.usda.gov (closure), accessed 2026-09-26
- fs.usda.gov (stayLimit), accessed 2026-09-26
- en.wikipedia.org (accessRoad, notableFeature), accessed 2026-09-26
- apps.fs.usda.gov (fee), accessed 2026-09-27
- recreation.gov (cancellationPolicy), accessed 2026-09-27
- recreation.gov (sites.total), accessed 2026-09-27
- broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27