Egan Crest Trailhead

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal agency that cares for millions of acres of public land. Those lands have many uses, include recreation, logging, mining, and renewable energy development. Popular activities for those who visit BLM lands for recreation include fishing, riding off-highway vehicles, camping, hunting, and mountain biking. The Egan Crest Trailhead is the starting point for Nevada’s Egan Crest Trail System, a BLM-managed network of 24 miles of trails with varied terrain and elevation.

Some of the trails there are single track, and some are double track. They're suitable for mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle use. You’ll find an information kiosk at the trailhead and fiberglass markers at various points along the trail. Only 75 miles from the Egan Crest Trailhead, Great Basin National Park offers scenic drives amid a gorgeous bristlecone pine forest. If you visit, you can tour the Lehman Caves system then enjoy the park’s dark skies, perfect for stargazing.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Mountain Biking

Egan Crest Trails

The varied terrain and elevation gains mean there’s something for everyone on these four trails, labeled A, B, C, and D, that consist of two trail loops and two connector trails. For those hikers and bikers who make the climb to the highest portions of the trail, the payoff is gorgeous views. Some sections of the trails require you to carry your bike.

Length: Varies

Intensity: Varies

Ward Mountain G and L Loop

Located about 13 miles from Egan Crest Trailhead, this loop trail is fit for hiking, running, and mountain biking and features great views of the surrounding juniper and pine forest.

Length: 2.1 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Farnsworth-Ely Loop

Also great for hikers, mountain bikers, and runners, this loop trail can be accessed from Broadbent Park, located on the outskirts of Ely, Nevada.

Length: 1.8 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Just 30 minutes from the Egan Crest Trailhead is Cave Lake State Park, a great spot for fishing and boating. There’s an abundance of rainbow trout and German brown trout in the 32-acre reservoir. Bear in mind that you’ll need a fishing license, and motorized boats are permitted speeds no greater than 5 mph.

Picnicking

You’ll find several picnic tables for public use, complete with shade structures and fire rings, at the trailhead.

Wildlife Viewing

Just south of Egan Crest lies the town of Ely. It’s possible during the spring or fall months to see elk in the area a few miles south of town, along Highways 6, 50, or 93. You may also spot jackrabbits, chipmunks, and perhaps even golden eagles.

Off-Highway Vehicle Riding

Another very popular activity on the Egan Crest Trail system is off-roading. OHVs are welcome to use the double-track trails.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Free BLM RV camping is permitted at the Egan Crest Trailhead in the area near the shaded picnic tables. There are no toilets or water, and Bureau of Land Management camping is generally only permitted for 14 days in the same spot.

There are no Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at the Ward Mountain Recreation Area, situated about 13 miles south of Egan Crest, because, technically, the campground at this location is managed by the US Forest Service. Set in a beautiful forest, the campground has 30 sites and can accommodate RVs. There is a fee to camp here, and some sites require reservations, but a few are first-come, first-served. This campground has vault toilets, a horseshoe pit, a historic amphitheater, and a volleyball court. Each site has a table and fire ring.

The Valley View RV Park, in nearby Ely, is one of several RV park options in the area. You’ll find both pull-through and back-in sites shaded by mature trees, some with full hook-ups. There are showers, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi, and pets are welcome.

Free Camping

Search for “BLM camping near me,” and you’ll likely learn that Bureau of Land Management free camping is permitted just about anywhere on BLM lands. The Egan Crest Trailhead and the Trail System are on BLM lands, so you can dry camp for free in your RV anywhere it’s practical for you to park your vehicle.

RV Rentals Near Egan Crest Trailhead Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Egan Crest Trailhead BLM trip

For a camping trip to such a remote location, make sure to bring plenty of drinking water. That goes double for Egan Crest since there is no potable water at this BLM site. A well-stocked first-aid kit is also a good idea.
As the desert is hot during the day and quite cold at night, be prepared for temperature swings. Dress in layers and bring enough warm clothes and blankets to make sleeping comfortable.
Make sure to have the AC in your RV in good working order before you head out and have the heater inspected as well.

BLM RV camping represents what many people love most about RVing — the freedom to explore and then just stop and sleep under the stars whenever the mood strikes. Still, a little preparation goes a long way, so before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace promotes ethical guidelines meant to conserve public lands so that future generations get their chance to enjoy the outdoors. These principles are intended to ensure that the impact on a natural area of even one visitor is minimized as much as possible. Campers are encouraged to plan ahead so that they’ll know to bring, for example, bear-proof bins and trash bags. Camp sites should be kept small, campfires must be completely extinguished, and all waste must be packed out. Wild animals should be viewed from a distance and never fed. Visitors should leave any objects they come across right where they found them. That includes plants, shells, rocks, arrowheads, and seeds.

Egan Crest Trailhead Location

To reach the Egan Crest Trailhead from Las Vegas, Nevada, take Interstate 15 north. At the junction with Highway 93, head north until the road meets Highway 318. Take Highway 318 north, then turn right onto Highway 6 at the junction of these two roads. Proceed north on Highway 6 until it meets Highway 50, then turn left. Travel west on Highway 50 for 7.5 miles. The trailhead is on the north (right) side of the road.

Ready to visit Egan Crest Trailhead? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.