Arrival airport
Airport drive
Suggested stay
Reservation demand
Vehicle notes
Class C Motorhome — Sleeps 4
From $245/day · typical rate
Drive-and-sleep motorhome with kitchen and bathroom.
Motorhome · Motorhome RepublicFind campervans & RVs
Black Friday · ends 2 Dec — Cruise America & Cruise Canada up to 35% off. Selected dates & T&Cs apply.Top tour
Most popular experience near Ely
Know before you go
National Park Access
Lehman Caves Visitor Center has limited parking; arrive at least 30 minutes before tour times. Overflow parking is available but requires walking uphill.
High Desert Isolation
Cell service is consistent in Ely but non-existent in much of Great Basin National Park. Use the visitor center Wi-Fi for final navigation checks.
Regional Hub Strategy
Ely is the last major fuel stop for 70+ miles in any direction on the 'Loneliest Road.' Always top off before heading toward Baker or Tonopah.
Steam Train Operations
Locomotives are serviced regularly; steam vs. diesel power depends on the specific daily schedule. Check the museum calendar for active steam dates.
High Elevation Snow
Snow can linger on the Bristlecone Trail through July. Check the NPS trail status for current conditions before attempting high-summit hikes.
Check current conditions:Nevada Northern Railway
2RVs, campervans & cars near EKO
Sleeps 2 campervans
Est. from $95/day · typical rate
Compact van-style camper that sleeps two, easier to park.
Sleeps 2 camper · Motorhome RepublicFind campervans & RVs
Flights to EKO
Check on Aviasales
- ✓ Compare suppliers at EKO
- ✓ Free cancellation on many rates
Standard car rentals at EKO
Est. from $45/day · typical rate
Pick your dates and vehicle class.
Compare rates at EKO
- ✓ Compare suppliers at EKO
- ✓ Free cancellation on many rates
SUV rentals at EKO
Est. from $55/day · typical rate
Pick your dates and vehicle class.
Compare rates at EKOA little structure. Plenty of freedom.
3 days in Ely
- 01
Steam Power and Mining Heritage
Suggested: 9 AM from Downtown Ely
Nevada Northern Railway Museum
Tour the historic East Ely Yard, a preserved complex of steam locomotives and vintage rail cars.
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Visit the six beehive-shaped stone ovens used for silver smelting in the 1870s.
Allow 1 hour; roads to the ovens are mostly well-maintained gravel.
Railway schedules vary seasonally; check official departure times.
Pick up your vehicle at EKO → - 02
Peaks of the Great Basin
Suggested: 8 AM from Ely
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
Drive to 10,000 feet for views of the only glacier in Nevada and ancient forests.
Lehman Caves
Explore ornate marble caverns featuring rare shield formations on a ranger-led walk.
Allow 2.5 hours round trip; steep ascent requires focused driving.
Scenic Drive upper section typically opens in June and closes with first snow.
Tours for today's stops → - 03
Desert Waters and Dark Skies
Suggested: 10 AM from Ely
Cave Lake State Park
Enjoy lakeside views and limestone cliffs in this high-altitude reservoir setting.
Great Basin Star Train
Join a specialized evening rail excursion for dark-sky viewing with park rangers.
Allow 1 hour total; simple paved access to state park.
Temperature drops rapidly after sunset; bring heavy layers.
Find a place to stay →
Reservations · Low
Great Basin Cave Tour and Railway Ticketing
Guided tours of Lehman Caves at Great Basin National Park often sell out weeks in advance and require separate reservations from park entry. Nevada Northern Railway excursions, particularly themed holiday trains, operate on specific schedules and should be booked through their official portal. While no general entry permit is required for the town, local lodging fills during the Perseid meteor shower and regional festivals.
Check official reservation infoFly in · nearest airport
EKOEly
Elko Regional Airport · 3 h 33 min drive
Find flights to EKO
Plan your road trip
From Elko Regional Airport
3 h 33 min
about 189 miles by car · times vary with traffic and road closures
Airport-to-destination drive; sightseeing stops are separate markers.
Stays near the end of your drive
3Where you'll want to sleep
RV parks near Ely on RoverPass
RV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Book RV parks and campgrounds online with full hookups near the park.
Est. from $150/day · estimateSee stays
Campsites near Ely on Campspot
Campground
Best for: Tent camping
Private campgrounds, cabins and glamping just outside the park, often with availability when park sites sell out.
Est. from $35/night · estimateSee stays
Harvest Hosts stays on the way to Ely
Stay overnight free at wineries, farms & breweries
5,000+ unique RV stops. WildParkRoutes readers get 20% off the first year.
RV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Membership for overnight RV stays at farms, wineries and other unique spots along your route.
Est. from $150/day · estimateGet 20% off
Vrbo
Cabins & vacation rentals near Ely
Est. from $120/night · typical rate
- Whole-home cabins and lodges
- Kitchens and room for the crew
Expedia
Hotels & lodges near Ely
Est. from $110/night · typical rate
- Hotels in nearby gateway towns
- Inns and last-minute rooms
4The moments you came for
Viator
Tours & experiences near Ely
Explore guided activities around Ely. Check the meeting point, dates and availability on Viator before booking.
Open tour listings separately
Curated Trip Essentials
Five picks for Ely
Day-walk storage
30–35L Hiking Daypack
Carry spare layers and walking supplies; check fit and use a liner for valuables.
Water on walking days
2L Hydration Pack
Carry drinking water on longer walks; refill before leaving services.
Cool-weather stops
Thermal Neck Gaiter · 2-pack
For cold or windy stops. Confirm fabric, fit and the two-pack variant at the store.
Town & sightseeing days
11.5L Travel Sling Bag
Keep small day-trip belongings together without a bike-mounted bag.
Wildlife & night viewing
WG9801 4K Night Vision Binoculars
3″ HD display · 48MP photo · 8X digital zoom. Check park rules before using lights at night.
$189.99 USD · store price
Shop at WILDGUARDEROptional picks, not a complete packing or safety list. Photos from the ROCKBROS and WILDGUARDER stores. Prices as of 2026-10-19 / 2026-10-20; price, stock and shipping may change.
