Wild Horse State Recreation Area
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Entrance fee
- $5 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- 34 campsitesAlso cabins, yurts
- Official site
- parks.nv.gov(775) 385-5939
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Alert Wild Horse Campground Improvement
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Watch Advisory
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Wild Horse State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Elko County, about 58 miles north of Elko.
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 34 campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers). Roofed lodging includes cabins and yurts.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. | — |
Official wording
Park Always Open, Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Daily
Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Daily
Hours: Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.
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 |
| Bike in | $2 · walk-in |
| Cabin | $90 · night |
| Cabin | $95 · night |
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) Bike in: $2.00 per bike Cabin: $90.00 per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $95.00 per night)
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
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Horse State Recreation Area Site count parsed from park text | 34 | There are no hookups, but restrooms and showers are available year round.Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping: The campground has 34 sites with a table, shade, a fire pit and a camp pad at each. There are no hookups, but restrooms and showers are available year round. Centrally located water faucets and a dump station are available during summer months only. Pull-through sites will accommodate large RVs, and there is a stay limit of 14 days in a 30-day period.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Cabins: Situated at the south end of the park, with stunning views of Wild Horse Reservoir and the surrounding mountains, the park has three cabins available for rent year-round. Cabins feature:
Things to do
CampingHikingBikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingHorseback ridingFishingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking: The park offers trails leading down to the lake for a short hike. More adventurous hikers can find miles and miles of game trails to explore on the vast expanse of adjacent public land.
Boating and paddling
Boating: There is a boat ramp next to the day use beach.
Fishing
Fishing: Fishing is a popular activity at Wild Horse. Most visitors pursue rainbow trout. German brown trout, small mouth bass, wiper, yellow perch and catfish are also in the reservoir. Fishing is often best during the spring and fall. Ice fishing is also popular and can be quite productive in the winter months. Fishermen should be prepared for extreme cold and harsh winter conditions.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Yurts
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 roads and park only in designated areas. OHV use is restricted to established roads for the exit and re-entry of the park only. Ground fires are allowed only in designated fire pits. All vehicles are subject to the entrance fee. The gift shop sells firewood and charcoal.
Getting there
- Address
- HC31 Box 265
Elko, NV 89801 - Nearest town
- Elko — about 58 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.6694, -115.8003
- Phone
- (775) 385-5939
- whsra@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
“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