South Ruby Campground

This campground is nicely laid out, and the new camp host really cares. It is conveniently located just a couple miles north of the main Ruby Marshes boat ramp. We easily got our 31 ft camper into our quite level spot (lower loop) and out. Definitely want to stay here again.

The place was kept up very well, no trash, nothing broken or damaged. Restrooms were clean. All in all, a most pleasant stay. (Fishing was super, too!)

South Ruby Campground is situated 79 mi south from Wells, NV or 94 mi north from Ely, NV and is within the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge; surrounded by cattle ranches, hay fields and national forest. It's a dry campground, and as you're so far away from anything, you want to fuel up, have black tanks empty and water/propane and fridge full. The only amenity in the campground was a dumpster at the end of the loop and a vault toilet. Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are surrounded with pine trees and semi-level.

The road to the campground follows part of the "Hastings Cutoff" of the Donner Party tragedy. The Ruby Lake Refuge has some roads into the marsh area that's great for fishing, waterfowl hunting and birding. Further down is the remnants of Ft Ruby (not much left) an Army post that was built to protect travelers on the Emigrant Trail to CA and the Pony Express route. There is a ranger station that has some maps outside the office, but we didn't go in. There's also a fish hatchery in the area but didn't appear to be open to the public.

It was peaceful and quiet, and we would stop again if in the area.

Close proximity to the marsh and a quiet campground (except for the weekend) made it a great place to stay

We love the view and the ease in which we can back our trailer into spaces

We really enjoyed our stay here. We reserved the double site and was able to secure a nearby site for the rest of our family upon our arrival. The campground was amazing as always.

Unfortunately the FishCleaning station was closed and they had a trashcan right in the middle of the campground that stunk so bad! The Large Dumpster should not be located in the middle of the campground..
It used to be down near the Fish Cleaning station... Should be moved out of the camping spots... and FIX THE FISH STATION!

I have been going to this campground for30+ years. The host is usually at least good, sometime great, rarely awful. We had friends there before us and then us that spanned about 3 weeks. Although the log was signed, the rest rooms WERE NEVER CLEANED. Ed had to ask for the trash to be emptied. The host had his young kids checking reservation placards- that was all they did.
The fish cleaning station is out if order which cities lazy people to put carcasses in the dumpster. That is disgusting!
The location of the dumpster also impacts the quality of the upper loop experience. We will be back and hope for a true host willing to do their job.

It is a nice campground and area. The only issue with our visit was a dead animal in the dumpster that was rather unpleasant for all campsites downwind.

Campsite 15 is listed as an RV site, but there was plenty of room for two tents.

Having a kayak really enhanced our experience!