Cave Lake State Park is a hidden treasure that lies just 20 minutes from the charming town of Ely, far away from the bustling energy of Las Vegas and Reno. This small state park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, making it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is open year-round, allowing visitors to experience its different charms depending on the season. In the summer, the serene alpine lake provides a cool escape with swimming and paddleboarding, while in the winter, the lake transforms into a frozen wonderland, offering ice skating, fishing, and even ice sculpting at the annual Fire and Ice Festival.
The reservoir was originally built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), an organization established during the Great Depression under Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. The CCC played a crucial role in maintaining and upgrading parks across Nevada, including the construction of cabins, planting trees, and more. The Cave Lake reservoir was used to store water for CCC members working in Steptoe Valley. After being drained for several years to reinforce the dam’s structure, the reservoir reopened in June 2025, allowing visitors to once again enjoy this secluded swimming spot surrounded by the Schell Creek Range and forests filled with pinyon and juniper trees.
Activities at Cave Lake State Park
Cave Lake State Park offers a wide range of activities for adventurers of all levels. The 32-acre reservoir is home to rainbow and German trout, making it a popular spot for fishing year-round. While winter fishing may require cutting through up to two feet of ice, the effort is well worth it due to the high catch rate. The lake also hosts an annual Fire and Ice Festival, where the frozen surface becomes a canvas for ice sculptors. In the summer, the lake is ideal for swimming and paddleboarding, thanks to the cooler temperatures of this high desert location.
In addition to water-based activities, the park features four hiking trails that vary in difficulty, offering scenic views of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The Cave Overlook Loop Trail is the most challenging, with steep ascents and descents over a 4.5-mile loop. For those who prefer camping, there are two campgrounds within the park. One is open seasonally from May to mid-October, while the other is available year-round but may be affected by weather conditions. Both offer modern facilities, making them suitable for primitive or RV camping.
Nearby Attractions
Cave Lake State Park is located in a region rich with natural and historical attractions. It is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, making it a convenient stop during a Nevada road trip. Visitors can explore the scenic Death Drive route or take a journey along the Cowboy Corridor. Just next to the park is the Success Loop Scenic Drive, a 38-mile backcountry byway known for its breathtaking mountain and valley views. This area is one of the darkest and quietest in the lower 48 states, making it ideal for stargazing. Travelers should also look out for arborglyphs, tree carvings made by Basque shepherds in the early 20th century.
Just under 30 minutes away is Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, a unique site featuring beehive-shaped charcoal ovens from the 19th century. These structures were used to process silver and later served as shelters for stagecoach bandits. The combination of nature, history, and adventure makes Cave Lake State Park a great starting point for exploring the hidden gems of eastern Nevada.
