South Fork State Recreation Area
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
- Entrance fee
- $5 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.nv.gov(775) 744-4346
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Boat Ramp Closure at South Fork State Recreation Area
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 3,352 acres, South Fork State Recreation Area lies in Elko County, about 13 miles south of Elko.
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat | 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | — |
| Park | Mon–Fri | 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Winter hours |
Official wording
Park Always Open; Ranger Station Hours - Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun: 7:30am – 8:30am
Hours: Open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Ranger Station Winter Hours, Mon-Fri 7:30am - 8:30am.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Day use entrance fee | $5 · vehicle |
| Day use entrance fee | $10 · vehicle |
| Boat launch | $10 |
| Boat launch | $15 |
| Camping | $15 · vehicle |
| Camping | $20 · vehicle |
| Camping | $10 · vehicle |
| Camp and boat | $20 · night |
| Camp and boat | $25 · night |
| Camp and boat | $10 · night |
| Bike in | $2 · walk-in |
Official wording
Day use entrance fee: $5.00 per vehicle (Non-NV Vehicles $10.00 per vehicle) Boat launch: $10.00 (Non-NV Vehicles: $15.00) Camping: $15.00 per vehicle, per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $20.00 per vehicle, per night) + $10.00 for sites with utility hook ups Camp and boat: $20.00 per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $25.00 per night) + $10.00 for sites with utility hook ups Bike in: $2.00 per bike
Nevada park passes
- All Access Permit — $250. Entrance, camping and boating fees at all parks for 12 months (hook-up sites +$10/vehicle) Details
- Annual Day Use Permit — $100. Entrance to all parks for 12 months; camping/boating extra Details
- Senior Citizen Permit — $30 annual administrative fee. Nevada residents 65+: entrance, camping and boat launch for 12 months Details
- Disabled Veteran Permit — $30 annual administrative fee. Qualifying Nevada disabled veterans: entrance, camping and boat launch for 12 months Details
- Veteran Annual Entrance. Nevada veterans: entrance to all parks for 12 months Details
From the Nevada state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveNevada
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length. Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping:A 25-site campground is located off the north park access road. Facilities include campsite tables, grills and a flush restroom with showers. East Campground has 6 pull in sites: 5, 9, 11, 19, 20, 25. Powersites available in East Campground for an additional $10 mandatory fee, regardless of use. Camping is open all year. Open camping is also available along the southwest shore. The RV dump station is open year-round and is just off the main north park entrance road. A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced.
Group Use Camping: Sites #1 and #25 in the East Campground feature 3 picnic tables and 1 large grill for large camping groups. Tomera Cove is a group use area that has 2 picnic tables and 1 fire ring.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingHikingBikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingHorseback ridingFishingPicnicking
Boating and paddling
Boat Launching: Two boat ramps are available. The southwest shore boat launch can accommodate boats up to 15 feet in length. Float tube enthusiasts are encouraged to use this area. The main boat launch has ample parking and a non-flush restroom. *Note: During the summer months, local wildlife frequently use the boat dock as a resting area. As a result, visitors may encounter wildlife droppings on the dock. Park staff regularly inspect and clean the area; however, wildlife activity can occur throughout the day. Please use caution when walking on the dock, watch your step, and be prepared to navigate around any wildlife messes that may be present.
Fishing
Fishing: The South Fork of the Humboldt River portion, from the Lucky Nugget Subdivision access causeway to the upstream Gauging Station, is open for public use. This area of South Fork is designed as a trophy fishery with a one trout limit. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used. The downstream portion of the South Fork of the Humboldt, below the dam, is also open to fishing, one quarter mile past the spill way. Buy a fishing license online at ndow.org. The South Fork canyon area west of the park boundary is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
Drive only on established roadways and park only in designated areas. Only licensed vehicles may be operated on park roadways.
Walking trails available in park; No motorized vehicles allowed on trails.
Please do not disturb the wildlife.
Please dispose of garbage in appropriate receptacles.
Hunting is allowed in season with a shotgun or archery only. Hunting is prohibited within a quarter mile of any developed facility such as campgrounds and boat ramps. The discharge of any weapons is prohibited other than for hunting during an established hunting season
Fishing regulations are in effect. Please be familiar with current regulations.
A flat-wake boating zone is in effect in the willows area of the reservoir.
Campfires are only permitted in designated fire rings. Ground fires are prohibited.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.
The juvenile curfew is 9 p.m.
Getting there
- Address
- 353 Lower South Fork #8
Spring Creek, NV 89815 - Nearest town
- Elko — about 13 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.6572, -115.7389
- Phone
- (775) 744-4346
- sfsra@parks.nv.gov
Sources and freshness
- Nevada State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Nevada State Parks 'Explore Parks' directory (park cards; slug = officialId) plus each park page for title/designation/coordinates
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology