Cave Lake State Park

Attractions - Campgrounds: The park offers two designated campgrounds, Elk Flat Campground and Lake View Campground. All sites are level and include a fire pit with grill, table and parking. Camping is on a first come, first served basis. Fees are charged per vehicle and are payable in the campgrounds. Access roads to the campsites are unpaved. Facilities at the park include a dump station and showers.

Elk Flat Campground: Is the first camping area park visitors see as they approach from highways 93, 50 and 6. The campground opens early May and closes mid-October. Showers and flush-type toilets are available while the campground is open.

The Lake View Campground: Is the more rustic of the two campgrounds. It is by the lake and open year-round with flush toilets and showers.

Picnic Grounds: Two picnic areas can be found along the lake shore. Restrooms, tables, grills and water are available. Fees are charged for each vehicle and are payable in the picnic areas.

Group Area: A small area for groups is at the south end of the lake. It can be reserved for a small fee. When not reserved, the area is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the park or district office for reservation information.

Fishing & Programs: Fishing and crawdadding are permitted 24 hours a day. Fishermen will find native brown trout in Cave Lake and park streams. The lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout. Fishing is excellent for boaters as well as from the shore. Motorized boats are permitted on the lake but may not exceed 5 mph.

Trails: Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all trails. Two developed hiking trails are maintained. An easy, three-mile round trip can be found on Steptoe Creek Trail. The trail starts at the lower parking lot, crisscrosses the creek on a series of foot bridges and returns via Success Summit Road. The Cave Springs Trail, including five miles of moderately strenuous hiking, starts at the lower parking lot and meanders throughout the surrounding hills.

Winter Activities ( December through February ): Winter recreation is popular at Cave Lake during normal winters when several feet of snow may cover the park. While snowmobiling is prohibited within the park, snowmobiles may be unloaded on Success Summit Road. Ice fishing is popular and the catch rate is very good. The boat launch area is used for outdoor Ice skating. Cross-country skiing trails are developed and require ski permits. Sledding and snow shoeing are also popular activities.

Programs: Interpretive programs are offered on wildflowers, stargazing and a variety of natural history topics.

Recreation - Summer activities at the park include excellent trout fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, camping and picnicking. Winter activities include ice skating, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

Climate - Seasonal temperatures vary greatly at the park, from hot summers to cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach 90 degrees during the day, with winter daytime temperatures only about 40 degrees.

Location - Cave Lake State Park sits in the Schell Range, adjacent to the Humboldt National Forest. Motorists can reach the park by driving eight miles south of Ely on US 93, turning onto Success Summit Road (NV 486) and continuing east for seven miles to the park entrance.