South Fork State Recreation Area Southwest Shores

About

Southwest Shores is a primitive camping area at South Fork State Recreation Area, located along the southwest shore of South Fork Reservoir in northeastern Nevada's Ruby Mountains. The 25 campsites spread across Coyote Cove and Jet Ski Beach provide a more rustic alternative to the developed East Campground. Each site features a picnic table, fire ring, and wind block screen to shelter from high desert winds. The reservoir offers excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and tiger muskie. The southwest shore boat launch accommodates boats up to 15 feet and is a favored launch point for float tube anglers. No swimming is currently advised due to an ongoing harmful algal bloom advisory. This is a primitive facility with vault toilets but no potable water, showers, or hookups. Campers must bring all drinking water. An RV dump station is available off the main north park entrance road. Sites operate first-come, first-served with no advance reservations for individual campsites.

Directions

From Elko, take Nevada State Route 228 south for approximately 16 miles to the park entrance. Follow signs to Southwest Shores/Coyote Cove area on the reservoir's southwest shore.