Sacramento Pass Rec. Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is a unique destination on the crest of Snake Ridge. Here, you’ll discover equestrian facilities, high-desert hiking trails, a stocked trout pond, and a nearby ghost town. Those who love remote high-desert solitude, OHV adventure, or horseback riding will enjoy their visit here. It’s also an ideal location for history buffs and stargazers. While BLM officials don’t allow dispersed camping within the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area, they do offer a designated, first-come, first-served campground with 10 free sites available.
Quick Facts About RVing in Sacramento Pass Recreation Area
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: 40 feet • Camping Type: Developed campground • Reservations: No • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None on-site • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed, but must be leashed • Roads: Gravel • Best Seasons: Summer and fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Big rig friendly • Free camping • Proximity to Great Basin National Park • Maintained vault toilets • Great amenities • Zero light pollution for stargazing • Panoramic mountain views • Onsite fishing
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area Trails
These three trail loops are closed to motorized use. They vary in length and are available for both hiking and biking.
Length: 6.5 miles total
Intensity: Easy
Mountain View Nature Trail
Mountain View Nature Trail is an interpretative trail on a paved road is suitable for kids. This loop trail is ideal for a relaxed walk.
Length: 0.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
Lehman Creek Trail
The Lehman Creek Trail is paved and goes through different habitats. Portions of this trail parallel a creek.
Length: 6.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
This paved-road trail is a demanding hike. Afternoon storms are a concern when hiking this trail, so it is best to begin your journey on this trail very early.
Lengthy: 8.6 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Fishing and Boating
There is a small fishing pond at the lower campground of the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area. And at Great Basin National Park, a few creeks are available for fishing. Lehman Creek mostly has brook and brown trout, and Baker Creek has a large number of brown trout as well. In Snake Creek, another popular fishing destination at Great Basin National Park, catch-and-release fishing is encouraged.
Wildlife Viewing
In Great Basin National Park, you can see mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bobcats. Wild turkeys are commonly present in this park. Bird-watchers can enjoy viewing bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, western meadowlarks, barn swallows, green-tailed towhees, dark-eyed juncos, red-naped sapsuckers, Steller's jays, Clark's nutcrackers, Cooper's hawks, and more.
Picnicking
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area has picnic tables and grills available for picnicking. There are also six picnic areas available nearby in Great Basin National Park. These picnic areas are available in the following locations: Lehman Caves Visitor Center Picnic Area, The Astronomy Amphitheater, Upper Lehman Creek Campground, Mather Overlook, Pole Canyon Trailhead Picnic Area, and The Bristlecone Trail Parking Area.
Snowshoeing and Cross-country Skiing
In the winter, there are many trails available for both novice and experienced skiers. You will need to bring your own skis, but both adult's and children's snowshoes are available to rent. Trails suitable for skiing are at Grey Cliffs Group Campground, Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, and the Lehman Creek Trail.
Horseback Riding
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area has a six-mile trail available for horseback riding. At Great Basin National Park, horses and pack animals are allowed on most trails. Certified weed-free hay is necessary, and you will be required to show proof of certification when using any straw or hay in the park.
Off-road Driving
There are a few roads available for driving off-highway vehicles in Great Basin National Park near the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area. Road conditions vary for some of the paths throughout the year. Seatbelts are required, and it is requested that you drive slowly.
Gathering
You can gather pine nuts in Great Basin National Park. A single household is limited to gathering no more than 25 pounds of nuts. Only non-commercial gathering is allowed, and it is illegal to break, cut, pull, shake, climb, or otherwise harm any plants in this national park. You can only use free-standing ladders when picking.
Stargazing
Stargazing is a treat at Great Basin National Park, which is designated as an "international dark sky place" because of its beautiful starry nights. The best places for stargazing in the park are Baker Archaeological Site and Ranch Interpretive Site.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping at Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is possible, and there are ten camping sites. Camping at this location is free, and like at most Bureau of land Management campgrounds, visitors can stay for a maximum of 14 days. The pad of this campground is dirt. There is no potable water, but there are shade structures, restrooms, and trash cans.
Developed Campgrounds
There are 10 large campsites available with gravel spurs up to 60 feet in length. They accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. The six lower-loop pull-through campsites circle the fishing pond. The four at the upper loop are set back from the highway near shade trees. Each site features a fire ring, grill, picnic table, and shade structure. There are trash cans but no hookups. No reservations are needed.
Dispersed Camping
No dispersed camping is allowed within the area. However, general dispersed camping pullouts do exist off the highway near the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area on the surrounding BLM public lands. Tight pinyon-juniper trees make these better suited for small RVs or tents.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
This area features paved highway access directly off U.S. Highway 50 with large gravel parking spurs. While the campsites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long, exercise care on the packed dirt loops in larger RVs. • Camper Vans: The compact size of a camper van makes it easy to see nearby attractions. • Travel Trailers: Travel trailers are a good option for the large 60-foot pull-through campsites. • Fifth Wheels: A fifth wheel is an excellent choice as long as it’s under 40 feet in length. • Class A Motorhomes: Bringing a Class A motorhome here is manageable with designated, level gravel parking. • Class B Motorhomes: Class B motorhomes are highly recommended because the campsites easily accommodate compact RVs. • Class C Motorhomes: You’ll enjoy having a Class C motorhome here with the gravel pull-through sites.
Free Camping 
There is limited availability of Bureau of Land Management free camping at the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area, but free camping is available at Great Basin National Park nearby.
RV Rentals Near Sacramento Pass Rec. Area Plan your next adventure
Planning your Sacramento Pass Rec. Area BLM trip
Cellphone service at the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area campground is sporadic at best, so prepare yourself for that. Since there is no potable water available at this campground, ensure that you bring enough along to get by. Spots are first-come, first-served, so plan accordingly. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
Cell service and internet access are extremely spotty, unreliable, and largely absent. Most visitors report having no signal and zero bars, especially in the lower campground loop. If you need supplies, nearby Baker, NV is roughly 20 minutes away. Here you’ll find the Border Inn on U.S. Highways 50. They have 24/7 fuel, propane, a convenience store, and a dump station. Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is open year-round, but winter snow can make access difficult. Check the local weather before arriving. It's also a good idea to check for road conditions and fire prevention orders. Generators are allowed in the area, but use yours courteously.
Leave No Trace 
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is protected public land, so you should do your part to keep it clean for yourself and others to enjoy. Visitors must follow all restrictions and rules that are in place to ensure minimal impact on the area. Travelers should respectfully leave no trace. This means picking up after yourself and disposing of trash properly.
Sacramento Pass Rec. Area Location
Head east from Ely, Nevada via Highway 50. Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is about 50 miles away from the city. You'll see a sign for the site on the south side of the highway.
Ready to visit Sacramento Pass Recreation Area? 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.
Plan Your Day at Sacramento Pass Recreation Area
• Morning: Rise early and have breakfast in the RV. This gives you time to enjoy a walk on the 6.5-mile trail through the unique quartzite rock formations. Afterward, do some fishing in the stocked trout pond. • Afternoon: Come back to the RV for lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby ghost towns and attractions. • Evening: Prepare dinner on the provided grill at your campsite, and eat at the sheltered picnic table. Stay outside until after dusk to experience the stunning dark skies and stargazing on the crest of the Snake Ridge.
Nearby Attractions
Whether you love exploring nature or learning about the past, there’s something for you near the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area. Take a day trip to enjoy these during your stay, or catch them on your way home. • Great Basin National Park: The Great Basin National Park is only a 14-minute drive from the recreation area. This park features the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, alpine lakes, and ancient bristlecone pine groves. • Blackhorse Mining District: Blackhorse Mining District is just north of the area, across the highway. It’s a short 5-minute drive. Here, you’ll find remnants and ruins of a turn-of-the-century gold mining camp. • Historic Osceola Town Site: A 15-minute drive will take you to the Historic Osceola Town Site. This is the remains of a 700-year-old Fremont Village.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in Sacramento Pass Recreation Area? You can stay for a maximum of 14 days in Sacramento Pass Recreation Area’s campground. Only 10 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Try to arrive early in the day during peak seasons to ensure you get a spot. Can I bring pets? Yes, Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is a pet-friendly BLM site. Dogs are welcome on the area’s hiking trails, too. But don't leave them at the campsite unattended. Keep them on a leash that’s 6 to 10 feet long for their safety and to keep them from disturbing the wildlife and your fellow campers. Can I have a campfire in the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area? Yes, campfires are allowed as long as you use the metal fire ring or grill provided at your campsite. Ground fires are not permitted. Bring your own firewood. Drown the fire with plenty of water, stir the embers with a shovel, and ensure they are cold to the touch before leaving or going to bed. Do I need four-wheel drive? No, you don’t have to have four-wheel-drive vehicles. Standard cars and large RVs regularly navigate the well-maintained gravel access roads and campground loops easily. If you plan to leave the main areas and explore the remote two-track BLM mining roads or OHV routes, you will want a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. What’s the best season for camping in Sacramento Pass Recreation Area? Spring or fall is the best season for camping here. The days are pleasant and sunny, and you’ll avoid the extreme summer heat. You’ll also find fewer crowds, which means you’ll enjoy quiet surroundings and easy accessibility to the trails. Be aware that in the early spring and late fall, nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
The Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is so accommodating that any type of RV will be wonderful. However, most visitors prefer the convenience of a travel trailer or Class C motorhome up to 40 feet long. Renting an RV rather than bringing your own from home allows you to avoid long cross-country towing. You’ll also save on fuel costs and skip the intense mountain driving in a large vehicle. If you’re new to RVing, you’ll appreciate the built-in fresh water tank, generator or battery system, and full bathrooms. Sacramento Pass Recreation Area doesn’t have potable water, electricity, or sewer services. Browse the RV rentals available in Baker, NV for your next Sacramento Pass Recreation Area vacation.