Carlin Canyon

A little history lesson (thanks Karen!): The Humboldt River makes a big loop and cuts through a mountain range to form Carlin Canyon. In 1841 the California Trail followed the riverbank through the canyon. Years later, in 1868, train tracks were laid. Eventually tunnels were blasted out for the trains and the rail bed became US 40. Now that I-80 is the main highway, with it's own tunnel through the mountain, the road in Carlin Canyon is cut off from most traffic so even though you can see the interstate from the canyon it's fairly quiet and peaceful.

Directions: to get to the canyon take exit 282 at Carlin, go south on Route 221 and east (left) at the intersection. After about 4.5 miles the road will go under the interstate and into the canyon. IGNORE THE ROAD CLOSED SIGNS. You can camp at the first pull off, but it is close to the interstate and noisy. For a better spot, follow the road until you come to the second pull off which is on the river side. It has a bench and interpretive signs under a shade shelter plus a gravel area large enough for several RVs.

The road is closed shortly after the pull off and there isn't any access to the interstate except for bicyclers who must use the canyon road instead of the tunnel. We also did not see an easy way to get to the river. Two dirt access roads are gated and the entire length is fenced with barbed wire. There may be an access point at the first pull off.

This is BLM land so you can stay for 14 days.

We stayed for 1 night with our 31' Airstream. This is essentially a gravel parking lot, but very level and lots of room (enough for 4-5 RVs I'd say). There aren't any amenities (water, elec, sewer or garbage) but if there aren't any other RV'ers there you shouldn't have a problem running a generator if needed.

No cell service what so ever... With our cell booster and directional antenna, we could pick up 1 bar from the neighboring town's cell tower, but it wasn't really enough to do anything with it.

At the second turn off (where we stayed) there was dirt path to the river, but most of the river's edge was overgrown with shrubs so don't expect to be able to put out some chairs; path ends at the river and there's just enough room to stand.

The best part about this site was the proximity to the river and the view of it. Really pretty, especially for a FREE campsite.

This was a super great stop for overnight. It's only 10 minutes from the highway, on the river, quiet, paved road in, and lots of little green bugs but they didn't bite!
We had one bar on Verizon 3G with booster and only in one spot of the RV. We have a 35' class A with toad. As you pull down the BLM road there is a site on the left and then one spot on the right a little further down. We could hear the traffic from the highway but it was pretty quiet overnight.

Great location. Quiet, easy access. I can't imagine anyone would have trouble maneuvering into this. We have only 25' but it was easy. No reception with t-mobile.

We had been driving all day from Moab Utah and needed a place to sleep. The spot indicated on here was full with 3 others sets of people. So we drove back to the pull out across from the river that we passed on the way in. It was a gravel pull out. The rock wall behind us was beautiful. The river just across the road was equally beautiful It was quite. In the middle of the night another trailer pulled in across from us. We would stay here again in a heart beat. Only down fall ( not really that big of deal ) was you had to drive past it cause the off ramps were closed and take the side road back to it. It did have a few cars drive back and forth because it was a dead end road 32ft Rv with tow

We parked at the first large parking area where the historical info signs are. Was a weekday evening and so not much traffic. There are about 10 screech owls above that spot on the rock wall. They either didn’t like us or do their screech thing at night. Not sure. Must google. We tried to pretend it was locusts like we are used to hearing in the south. 😉

I had trouble figuring out the directions to this BLM so I'll write them for the next recipient. We were coming west on I-80. Take exit 282 at Carlin, go south on Route 221 and go past the left turn which takes you back onto the I-80 Eastbound. Turn left at the next intersection. This road parallels the I-80 and I think it's called Chestnut, but I could be wrong. After about 4.5 miles the road will go under the interstate and into the canyon. Ignore the road closed signs. There aren't a lot of places to camp in the canyon. The first pull off is close to the interstate and noisy. Follow the road until you come to the second pull off which is on the river side. It has a bench and interpretive signs under a shade shelter plus a gravel area large enough for several RVs. The road continues on, but we didn't take it in case there was difficulty in turning the rig around. From other trucks that did go past, the soon returned so I think the road just stops.

My GPS (google maps) suggested taking exit 292, and following a road, but the road was closed and said it was private and the only other road was the one to the California Trail Interpretive Center. So stick to exit 282. The road is paved all the way to the gravel camping area.

We were just delighted with this spot. You can hear the traffic, but it is quite a ways away and you do hear it at night once inside your rig. Once the sun goes down, you get a lovely cool breeze off the river. The mountains are spectacular in their geology and we just sat and stared at them for a good while. I would stay here again in a heartbeat!

Lots of birds and stars.

I wanted to stay here, it is gorgeous but no T-Mobile and barely 1 bar of Verizon but no data off of that (with booster)

Very scenic, albeit littered area (dog poop and trash). About five miles from the interstate exit, but a convenient (and free) overnight stop along I-80 if you need one. Barely any road noise overnight. Late sunrise as you are inside the canyon. No cell service. No water, trash nor hookups. Tight turn around for some longer rigs.

All roads into this areas were either closed (by gateswith signs) or blocked by construction. Fortunately the Water Canyon site in Winnemucca opened a few days earlier so I stayed there.