CAVE LAKE STATE PARK
Cave Lake is open year round and is located 15 miles southeast of Ely via U.S. 50/6/93 and Success Summit Road. The 32-acre reservoir at Cave Lake State Park is popular for trout fishing, crawdadding, boating, hiking, picnicking and camping. Perched in the middle of the Schell Creek Range, adjacent to the Humboldt National Forest at an elevation of 7,300 feet, the park offers outstanding scenic views and opportunities for nature study and photography. Facilities include campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails and a boat launch. Winter sports such as ice fishing, cross-country skiing and ice skating are also available. Snow sculpting is becoming a popular activity, and the White Pine Fire & Ice Show is the premier winter event in the area.
Park weather is highly seasonal with wide variations in temperature. Summertime highs may range from the upper 80's and 90's with lows in the 30's and 40's at night. Wintertime highs are often in the 30's and 40's and nights are often below zero. Extreme lows may reach thirty below zero. Snow is common from early December through early April with several feet on the ground through peak winter months. The remainder of the year is relatively dry, and rain and snow showers are infrequent. However, late afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Ely, Nevada weather reports are consistent with weather at the park.
Camping: The park offers two designated campgrounds - Elk Flat Campground and Lake View Campground. Extra fees do not apply to tow-in vehicles. All sites are level and include a fire pit with grill, table and parking. Access roads to campsites are unpaved. With the exception of one group site in each campground, camping is on a first come, first serve basis . Fees are charged per vehicle and are payable at fee stations located in the campgrounds. Reservations are accepted for the group camping sites at Lake View and Elk Flat Campgrounds starting January 2nd each year. Please contact a ranger for overflow camping information.
Fishing and crawdadding are permitted 24 hours a day. Licenses are available in Ely, and a trout stamp is required. Fishermen will find naturally born 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 (flat wake). For more details on license requirements, fishing methods, and limits, see the current year Nevada fishing regulations.