The city of Elko is the county seat of Elko County and has a population of 20,564 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. It was established in 1868 when it sat on the east end of the railroad tracks that the Central Pacific Railroad placed. As railroad workers moved on, Elko remained, serving as a hub for general supplies, mining, ranching and rail freight. It has been the county seat since 1869 and became incorporated in 1917.
The Western Folklife Center in the downtown area of Elko helps expands visitors' understanding of everyday traditions of the American West. It is legal to gamble in Nevada, meaning you will find several casinos in Elko, including the High Desert Casino and Gold Dust West. Another legal enterprise in the state is prostitution, and visitors are sometimes surprised to find brothels operating in town. You can spend an hour exploring the California Trail Historic Interpretive Center or even more time at the Northeastern Nevada Museum off Idaho Street.
There are several geothermal features around town with Elko Hot Hole being one of the better-known locations. Elko straddles the Humboldt River, and the Wild Horse State Recreation Area provides good fishing opportunities.
If you are looking for a steakhouse with seafood and other American cuisines, try the Star Hotel off Silver Street. Luciano's gets high marks from patrons for its Italian dishes, and travelers can stop at La Fiesta for Mexican and Southwestern foods. You can try the Underground Bar and Dance Club or Good Times Charlee's for some of Elko's nightlife.
Double Dice RV Park in Elko has 140 back-in and pull-through sites equipped with full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power options, showers, strong cell reception, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. There is a restaurant on-site with a bar and gambling options for betting on sporting events.
Gold Country Casino RV Park is the campground attached to the Gold Country Inn & Casino in Elko. It has 26 back-in sites that offer full hookups, 30- and 50-amp power, laundry facilities, showers, cable TV, cell reception, and Wi-Fi. You will also have access to a pool and hot tub at this site, and RVers on the move will appreciate the close access to I-80.
Elko RV Park at Ryndon gives you access to the Humboldt River and provides 54 lots across 40 acres. The back-in and pull-through sites provide full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power, cell reception, and free Wi-Fi. The pet-friendly facility has a tavern where you can enjoy some action on the slot machines.
If you travel three hours north of Elko, you will reach Bruneau Dunes State Park in Idaho. People come here to explore the dunes in the 4,800-acre park, including the largest single-structure dune in North America. You can hike the sand or slide down it on a sandboard. Outside of hiking, guests enjoy fishing in the lakes at the bottom of the dunes, horseback riding and stargazing at night. There are 120 designated RV sites, many of which have electrical hookups and water. The nearby town of Bruneau, ID offers extra amenities like food and gas.
Cathedral Gorge State Park sits four hours and 35 minutes southeast of Elko, near Panaca, Nevada. It covers more than 1,600 acres of dramatic landscape formed by eroded bentonite clay. The towering cliffs and spires were formed over millions of years of geologic activity and are popular with those wanting to camp, hike, photograph and picnic here. You can view lots of wildlife in the park, including black-tailed jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, packrats, kangaroo rats, mice, gophers, mule deer, coyotes and kit foxes. Hiking trails like the Bullionville Cemetery Trail and Juniper Draw Loop let you explore the land closely, and the park's 22 campsites that fill up quickly. Panaca is one mile south of the park and offers additional amenities.
A three-hour-and-45-minute road trip northeast of Elko will get you to Massacre Rocks State Park near American Falls, ID. The 990-acre preserved area features a campground with 42 RV sites, including eight pull-through spaces. Unique amenities at the park include boat, canoe and kayak rentals that can launch into the Snake River from the campground boat ramp. Explore the area using the miles of trails found here, some leading to evidence of pioneers traveling through the region. Rock climbers will find plenty to challenge them at Massacre Rocks, and fishing the Snake River is popular among anglers. At night, the remote location's dark skies are great for stargazing.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is three and a half hours northeast of Elko in Idaho. It highlights prehistory in the region during the Pliocene era with over 200 species of fossils. These include bears, camels, ground sloths, mastodons, one-toed horses, saber-toothed tigers and the Hagerman horse. Some fossilized remains are on display in the visitor center, and people can see more recent history on the Emigrant Trail, a six-mile trek that runs adjacent to the Oregon Trail. The town of Hagerman can provide RVers with amenities.
In Idaho, three hours northeast of Elko, is the Minidoka National Historic Site. The 210-acre site memorializes the camp where nearly 10,000 Americans of Japanese descent lived during World War II. You can walk the 1.6-mile-long Interpretive Trail and glimpse some of the original buildings slowly disintegrating from the elements and time. New reconstructions allow you to see the conditions families endured while here. After hiking the trail and exploring the buildings, head to nearby Eden, ID for food, gas and other amenities.
City of Rocks National Reserve sits three and a half hours northeast of Elko, near Almo, ID. The draw to this destination is the oddly shaped rock formations in the area. You can explore the scenic landscape in your RV or use the 22 miles of trails to get closer to these geologic features. If you are up to it, take the Geological Interpretive Trail with 12 signs explaining the geologic history and process at play here. Some of the best sightseeing opportunities include Camp Rock, Elephant Rock and Parking Lot Rock.
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is only a half-hour southeast of Elko, covering 6.2 million acres scattered across parcels in western Nevada and eastern California. That makes it the largest national forest in the lower 48 states and provides room for the diverse landscapes within its borders. From sunny plains to lush mountain forested areas, there are plenty of sites to see from your RV and areas for camping. Birding, fishing, hiking and stargazing are popular activities you can enjoy throughout the forest.
In Utah, three hours and 40 minutes northeast of Elko, Sawtooth National Forest features over 750,000 acres of wilderness to explore. It sits in an area referred to as Sun Valley with a resort town of the same name nearby that offers food, gas, shopping and skiing during the winter. Camping, fishing, hiking and stargazing are popular activities. Several bird species call the forest home, and wildlife viewing offers glimpses of black bears, deer, elk, mules, mountain lions, pine martens, porcupines, weasels and wolverines. Nearby RV-friendly campgrounds include Evans Creek Campground and Trail Break RV Park & Campground.
Boise National Forest is six and a half hours north of Elko in Idaho. It covers 2.2 million acres and sits at an elevation between 2,800 and 9,730 feet. Enjoy dispersed camping, or stay at nearby facilities like Pine Flats Campground or Shafer Butte Campground. You will find an impressive 7,600 miles of streams and 250 lakes and reservoirs for canoeing, fishing and kayaking. Trails across the landscape let you bike, hike or ride on horseback as you take in the scenery.
Great Basin National Park is three hours and 55 minutes southeast of Elko, near Baker, Nevada. It covers 77,000 acres of the larger Great Basin region and is known for its ancient bristlecone pines and several caves. The park is also home to the Wheeler Peak Glacier, arguably the most southern glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. You will find lots of life here with 800 species of plants, 238 types of birds, 18 species of reptiles and 61 mammal species. There is a ranger-led astronomy program and guided tours of the Lehman Caves system. You can also hike along several miles of trails at the park.
Yosemite National Park, in California, eight hours and 45 minutes southwest of Elko, comprises 1,200 square miles of wilderness. Groves of giant sequoia trees contain specimens over 1,000 years old, and the park also features formations like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Camping and exploring are the top activities at the park, making bike rides, hikes and scenic drives your best bets for fun. While driving in your RV, make sure to check out Glacier Point. Several nearby campgrounds, such as Indian Flat Campground and Bass Lake RV Resort, are RV-friendly. You will find food, gas, shopping and other amenities in towns like East Sonora-Phoenix Lake, Mammoth Lakes and Topaz Lake in Nevada.
If you are looking for a long road trip, head to Kings Canyon National Park, nine hours and 40 minutes southwest of Elko. It covers 461,901 acres of California and is home to giant sequoia trees. You can take guided hikes or enjoy ranger-led programs. Or, go at it on your own as you hike among the trees, backpack across the park or go rock climbing. Enjoy scenic drives in your RV or go horseback riding. The park has camping spots that guests reserve or function on a first-come, first-served basis.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Elko, NV, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Elko?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Elko from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Elko?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
