CampgroundsDB

Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area

Its 15 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations). Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area is a BLM campground near Ely, Nevada.

First-come, first-served

BLM · Ely, Nevada

Illipah Reservoir, a small irrigation impoundment on Illipah Creek surrounded by open central Nevada rangelandPanorama of Illipah Reservoir and the surrounding hills from above the recreation areaClear shallows along the Illipah Reservoir shorelineIllipah Reservoir in the evening from its rocky shorelineSunset colors on Illipah Reservoir
Illipah Reservoir, a small irrigation impoundment on Illipah Creek surrounded by open central Nevada rangelandPanorama of Illipah Reservoir and the surrounding hills from above the recreation areaClear shallows along the Illipah Reservoir shorelineIllipah Reservoir in the evening from its rocky shorelineSunset colors on Illipah Reservoir1 / 5

Illipah Reservoir, a small irrigation impoundment on Illipah Creek surrounded by open central Nevada rangeland. Photo: Samantha Szesciorka, BLM Nevada, Public domain (U.S. government work)

Managed by
BLM
Shade
Some shade

It sits 0.3 miles outside the boundary of Shellback Wilderness; its permit and camping rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits 0.3 miles outside the boundary of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Hamilton ghost town: The nearby ghost town of Hamilton and the surrounding road network are popular summer side trips from the reservoir. (blm.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
BLM
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Fee unknown, see agency

Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-26

Sites and hookups

Total sites
15
RV sites
15
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-26

Access and cell service

Shade
Some shade
Elevation
6,840 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
T-Mobile
No coverage mapped
Verizon
No coverage mapped
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.

39.3365, -115.3896 in White Pine. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Current conditions

  • Reported 2026-09-01: NDOW reported Illipah Reservoir at about 45% of capacity with water temperature around 68F; rainbow and brown trout were being caught. (ndow.org)

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area?
No. Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How many campsites does Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area have?
Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area has 15 campsites, including 15 RV sites.
Is there drinking water at Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area?
No. Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Is there cell service at Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE and 5G from AT&T at Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area. It shows none from T-Mobile or Verizon. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area?
Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Around Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area

fishypedia.com · 0.3 miles

Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area sits on Illipah Reservoir, 0.3 miles from the lake's mapped center point. Stocking record and species: Illipah Reservoir fishing on fishypedia.com.

More campgrounds: camping near Ely and campgrounds in White Pine.

Sources

Photo credits

First-come, first-served
Get directions