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Lookout Campground is located on the California/Nevada border just west of Reno, Nevada. It sits at an elevation of 6,770 feet in a large aspen grove. It is not a highly developed campground, but it is considered a secret hideaway by those lucky enough to know about this remote gem. Recreation Adjacent to the campground is 'Crystal Peak', which can be accessed by vehicle or a short hike. This area is also popular for off-highway vehicles, wildlife viewing, and hunting opportunities. Facilities This campground has 17 first-come, first-served campsites (including two double sites) and one reservable group picnic area that can accommodate up to 100 people. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and tent pad. There are four vault toilets and trash service. There are no electric hookups and no dump stations. Trailers and RVs should be limited to 15 feet in length (however, two sites could accommodate up to 30 foot lengths). To ensure that campfires are extinguished completely, there is non-potable water available on site (no drinking water available). Please bring your own firewood as none is available on site. Natural Features Visitors to this campground will be surrounded by a lush aspen, pine, and fir forest. Sites are well spaced to afford visitors plenty of privacy. Nearby Attractions Crystal Peak is known for its impressive crystal formations. Dog Valley and Peavine Mountain are popular off-highway vehicle and mountain biking areas. The American Discovery Trail also runs through this area. ADA Access: N
From Truckee, CA travel east on I-80. Take Exit 2 toward Verdi, NV. Turn right on 3rd St./US 40. Travel 1 mile then turn left on Bridge St. From Reno, NV travel west on I-80. Take Exit 5 toward Verdi, NV/State Route 425. Stay on Route 425 for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Bridge St. NOTE: Bridge Street has 2 one lane bridges with a maximum allowable height of 13 feet. Travel 0.6 miles on Bridge St, then turn right on Dog Valley Road. This road will turn into a dirt forest road (Road #002). Travel 7.2 miles. This road can be rough and often develops washboards. It can be navigated with 2-wheel drive (although low clearance vehicles are not recommended). Continue to follow signs to campground.
Couldn't stand a minute down the horrible road off the 395... and we take our truck on some crazy roads. Totally washboarded. Wasn't worth the 9.5 mile shake.
This was a surprisingly well maintained and fun campground! I prefer to have some sort of water where I am camping but there was a great hiking trail and it was easy to access. We'll go again
Camped there because of proximity to the crystal mine. There's a trail that goes from the camp to the mine. $6/night in June 2018. The sites have a tent pad, picnic bench and fire ring. Some are more private than others. Lots of dogs. 2 vault toilet locations, I think 4 total toilets. No host was present and they ran out of payment envelopes, so while we paid I have a feeling others didn't and took chances. A couple campers were shady as heck, and a couple were rowdy until 2am (grrrrr). In their defense sound travels well unfortunately. The group area was neat but closed. I would think about coming back just for the cheap price compared to our area, but with proper permits it would be better to camp in the wilderness. This would be 5 stars if people would quiet down in respect for other campers.
great camping options for overlanders, impossible for any type of RV (unless they fix the road… even then, maybe not), & still only a possibility for car camping (depends on the vehicle). it may be worth your trouble if you plan to stay for a couple days. the road is pretty rough.
there was no one in the campground (as far as we were told). but we didn’t make it that far with our loaded up van. we turned back around 3/4 of the 8mi route off the highway, stopped at a pull thru site overlooking the valley and overnighted there. we only saw 4 other vehicles, all SUVs who were either camping or coming down the mountain from some sort of day use.
beautiful area, but needs serious road maintenance to make it more accessible.
Beautiful spot to escape the city. The roads in are not great. Good tires and ground clearance needed, as it's very rocky in some spots. Not recommended for motorhomes or RVs. Permit required for campfires. (can be aquirred through Cal Fires website) Secluded, clean bathrooms, good fire rings and tables, bear proof trash bins on site, and hose with non potable water at host site to extinguish campfires. Only $6 a night.
