River Campground

Let me be the first to say that, if you find yourself at a dump station with a small picnic area and a dirt road by the bathroom that seems like you can boondock there, you're on the wrong side of the reservoir. Go back to the main road, hang a right, then the next right. Pass the ranger station. Pass the entrance booth. Go left. The spots are almost impossible to find, but any of the "Beach #X" sand roads will lead you to two spots. RVs really can't make it down to the actual spots, but at least in October the ranger was down with us parking in the parking lots, which were just big sand lots on plateaus overlooking the incredibly low reservoir. No one else seemed to be camping in the entire park. It was incredibly serene, and peaceful, save the occasional fighter jet breaking wind in the distance.

We watched big black beetles struggle to climb the sand dunes as much as we did ourselves. The sun set above the clouds even as the sky below and beyond them remained blue, then we watched it set a second time, brilliant violet. Man, you really missed it. Where were you guys?

Anyway, I have this girl we keep around who brings us cell reception. Her service was ridiculously poor for the first hour, showing up occasionally with a small platter of E, maybe one or two tasteless bars for us all to share. I was barely able to access my Stock Widget let alone download the HD version of every single Tim Burton movie.

Later, I presume after some sort of stern reprimand from our aging chocolate lab (who has no tolerance for guffaw, rigamarole or hootenanny), she showed up again, this time dressed up in her finest 4G and dropping bars like a power lifter with scoliosis.

Would have loved to stay here longer if we weren't high-tailing it to the land of far away.

First, to clarify, this is for the Rec area #2, otherwise known as the Fallon side (East side) of the Reservoir. I think the previous review is for Rec area #1, Silver Spring/West side. See “You are here” map in the pictures.
I followed my GPS from downtown Fallon. It took me West on route 50 (Reno highway), then left on Carson highway (about 8 miles from town center). About 2.5 miles down the Carson highway, the Garmin said to turn left (Big sign for the Reservoir), then right and go 6.5 miles on a dirt road. DO NOT go this way. Stay on the Carson Highway (65mph nice blacktop) for about 6.5 miles then turn left at the next sign for the State Park. Following the GPS you will come to the fee booth, which was closed (take a permit envelope). About 200' past the fee booth, the GPS directs you to turn right on a dirt road to the River Campground. The GPS coordinates given are right in the CG.
The campground is just downstream from the dam and very small. Only 11 campsites, some are pull-thru. The road dead ends at a turn-around. It would be a tight fit for any rig over 25' - 30'. I was in just my F-250 and could have made the turn pulling my 32' Airstream IF there were no other vehicles in the turn-around. See Pictures.
Back out to the road, turn right and continue into the park. After another few hundred feet, see the sign for Day use, restrooms, showers, dump station. This takes you to the dam overlook, picnic area, dump, and restrooms (2) and showers (3). Restrooms/showers were closed when we were here.
Continuing on down the paved road out of the Day use area, the signs and map show 11 Beaches. I went to Beach #1 to look. Tent camping Ok but not RV friendly. I did not have time to investigate the other 10 beaches.

9/14/2020, very smoky here from the surrounding fires.

Pesky swarming bugs in the evening, and there’s a weird smell. Otherwise the place was ok, very basic and simple. Sites are nicely spread out.

We found the campground by following directions for River Campground from Hwy 50, and I believe we made it to Lahontan Dam campground #2.

There’s a quick moving river stream with no bank. Very quiet on this Monday.

There are two general areas; down by the Carson River below the dam, or the sprawling area along the reservoir. We stayed in Site #9 by the river. Spacious dead-end spot with a picnic table and fire ring. Water spigots were shut off and the dump station was closed. We had to use the other dump station above the dam which had a potable water spigot. There are some nice hiking trails nearby. Lots of white pelicans flying around!

The sites are hard to get into and very few are level. Most are narrow so not much room beside your trailer.
We first chose site 4 but water coming from the dam sounded like a freight trait.
The water system is under a boil order so bring plenty with you.
All sites seemed to be clean and not many campers here.

I think several other reviewers have been talking about the dispersed camping sites along the reservoir, not this campground, The turn off for which you come to first right after the entry station. These are improved sites with fire rings and picnic tables, and many have shade. Most are small, anss several are pull-through that don’t look at that level but one, at the end of a cul-de-sac, is quite large, and level, and right along the river. It’s great.

There is a nice little, moderate hiking trail up to several vistas of the dam and the general area.

Except for looky-lous driving through the cul-de-sac for most of the day, the campground is quiet. It does not have great cell reception, but several sites have clear access for Starlink. would absolutely camp here again.

I was excited to stay here. It's peaceful and beautiful and there was no one here...when night fell I realized why. I've been on the road full time two years and have never experienced bugs like this. It was so bad we left early. Entire RV was swarming with gnats and you couldn't even walk outside. It was like a horror movie. I'd never stay here again.

Convenient location off of highway 50. Easy to get to and fairly quiet. Some shade available from cottonwoods near to the river. The gravel road leading to the campground was in good shape and there were some pull through sites for longer rigs. We were able to get in easily with our 25 foot C class RV. There are just 2 porta potties for bathrooms. There is water but they are under a boil advisory so I wouldn't fill up here. There powerlines everywhere because you are at the base of a hydro electric plant. Ok for overnight stay but not an extended visit.

Convenient location off of highway 50. Easy to get to and fairly quiet. Some shade available from cottonwoods near to the river. The gravel road leading to the campground was in good shape and there were some pull through sites for longer rigs. We were able to get in easily with our 25 foot C class RV. There are just 2 porta potties for bathrooms. There is water but they are under a boil advisory so I wouldn't fill up here. There powerlines everywhere because you are at the base of a hydro electric plant. Ok for overnight stay but not an extended visit.