When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cold and unpredictable at elevation, with possible late-season snowstorms.
Pack Real cold-weather layers, traction, and flexibility for snow.
Summer
Pleasant high-country days and cold nights, the reliable hiking and fishing window.
Pack Warm camp layer, rain shell for afternoon storms, and sun protection.
Fall
Crisp days, aspen color, and excellent fishing before the cold sets in.
Pack Insulating layers, headlamp for shorter days, and a wind shell.
Winter
Cold and snowy, with Elk Flat Campground closed and the lake used for ice fishing and snow play.
Pack Full winter insulation, traction, and a plan for limited services.
Top things to do
Cave Lake fishing
A cold-water reservoir stocked with trout, popular for shore and small-boat fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter.
Cave Lake Overlook Loop
A high-country loop above the lake with strong elevation gain and overlooks across the reservoir and Schell Creek Range.
Steptoe Creek and Twisted Pines connectors
Longer trail combinations link the overlook with the creek drainage for hikers who want a bigger high-elevation day.
Anchor the day around Cave Lake fishing
Book the tour time first, then treat surface trails, overlooks, or visitor-center stops as the flexible pieces. For one day in Cave Lake State Park, make Cave Lake fishing the non-negotiable, add Cave Lake Overlook Loop only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Steptoe Creek and Twisted Pines connectors as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Cave Lake fishing: A cold-water reservoir stocked with trout, popular for shore and small-boat fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter.
- 2Add Cave Lake Overlook Loop: A high-country loop above the lake with strong elevation gain and overlooks across the reservoir and Schell Creek Range.
- 3Use Steptoe Creek and Twisted Pines connectors as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Cave Lake's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Cave Lake State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Cave Lake State Park packing list
0 of 21 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Cave Lake State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
21 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Cave Lake
A simple roll-top dry bag is the easiest way to protect a phone, layers, and lunch around water.
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THE WATER-EDGE PICK
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag 20L
- Volume
- 20L
- Material
- 500D PVC
- Closure
- Roll-top
- Waterproof rating
- IPX6
- Carry
- Single shoulder/crossbody strap
- Warranty
- 5 years
The Earth Pak Original is a no-frills 500D PVC roll-top sack that keeps gear splash-proof and float-ready at a price well under $25. It ships with a bonus IPX8 phone pouch, making it a practical first dry bag for kayak day trips, beach outings, and festival weekends.
- Available in multiple colors and sizes from 5L to 55L, with a transparent option so you can see contents without opening
- Includes IPX8 phone pouch that fits phones up to 6.5 inches
- IPX6 rating means it handles heavy splashes but is not rated for prolonged submersion
Best for
Casual paddlers, beach days, and festival-goers who need reliable splash protection without spending more than $25.
Gear for Cave Lake
The buying guides that match what Cave Lake asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp inside the park at Lake View or Elk Flat campgrounds, both first-come outside the single reservable group sites. Ely, about fifteen miles down the canyon, has hotels, food, and fuel and works as a base when the campgrounds are full or Elk Flat is closed for the winter.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Cave Lake camping is mostly first-come, so arrive early in summer.
The park's two campgrounds, Lake View and Elk Flat, are first come, first served except for one group site in each. There is no reservation race to win, but popular summer weekends can fill, so arrive early.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Most Cave Lake sites are first-come, first-served. Nevada reservations, where offered, can be made from three days to 11 months ahead through Reserve Nevada; the group sites are the reservable exception here.
- Standard sites at Lake View and Elk Flat are first come, first served.
- Elk Flat Campground closes for the winter; Lake View stays accessible for cold-weather use.
- Plan for cold nights and possible spring snow at over 7,000 feet of elevation.
Where to book or verify
Official park page with campground status, fees, and conditions.
Nevada reservation system for the park's reservable group sites.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Lake View Campground
Details- Booking
- First come, first served except the group site.
- Season
- Accessible year-round, with winter cold and limited services.
- Sites
- Lakeside sites with fire pits, tables, and parking.
- Best first check for anglers who want to be near the water.
Elk Flat Campground
Details- Booking
- First come, first served except the group site.
- Season
- Closes for the winter.
- Sites
- Level sites with fire pits, tables, and parking.
- A good summer option, but verify it is open before relying on it.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Cave Lake State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Nevada
Car strategy
Cave Lake sits about fifteen miles southeast of Ely, reached by US 6/50/93 and then a paved park road that climbs into the Schell Creek Range.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive from Ely, and the high-elevation access means snow can affect the road outside the core summer season, so check conditions before a spring or late-fall trip.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Nevada asks production companies to register with the state film office, but real permits come from cities, counties, and a strict state parks photo permit system.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation to camp at Cave Lake State Park?
No. The standard sites at both Lake View and Elk Flat campgrounds are first come, first served. Only the single group site in each campground is reservable, so arrive early on summer weekends rather than booking ahead.
Is Cave Lake State Park open in winter?
Partly. The Elk Flat Campground closes for the winter, but the lake and Lake View area remain accessible for ice fishing and snow play. Expect cold temperatures and limited services, and check road conditions before going.
How high is Cave Lake State Park?
The park sits around 7,300 feet in the Schell Creek Range. That elevation means a short season, cold nights even in summer, and the real possibility of late-spring snowstorms.