Community Forums

Issaquahiker · 05-26-2023, 01:35 PM

2023 plans for a 3 month trip this summer. Depart July 6th/return Oct 2nd.

AR->MO->IA->NE->Black Hills SD->WA (East/N Cascades NP/Seattle/Mt St Helens NM)->OR (Columbia Gorge/John Day Fossil Beds NM/Bend/Newberry Volcanic NM/Crater Lake NP->CA Lassen NP->NV Great Basin NP->UT Green River->CO (Glenwood Spgs/Dillon/Colo Spgs)->KS->OK->AR. Lots of miles, lots of mountain passes!

I have reservations everywhere except 2 places in Nevada. I plan to stay at Great Basin NP but can't book those reservations until August, though I have booked a commercial campground as a backup because we will be there during the Astronomy Festival.

My question is, we will be driving on Highway 50 (the loneliest road) and plan to stop in Austin NV. I would like to stay at Pony Express RV Park in Austin for one night. It is small parking lot in the middle of nowhere with only 7 sites. I have tried 4 different phone numbers but am not getting anywhere. Any suggestions for alternative places? Or is this just a 1st come/1st served place and if we get lucky we find a spot and if not we get creative? Thanks!

twogypsies · 05-26-2023, 04:12 PM

Since you're interested in astronomy Sacramento Pass BLM would be a terrific place to stay. Very dark there as no buildings/businesses are around. It just west of Great Basin NP. Easy campground to get to right off the highway.

https://www.campendium.com/sacrament...ecreation-area

https://www.blm.gov/visit/sacramento-pass-rec-area

ArtJoyce · 05-26-2023, 05:35 PM

There is Austin RV Park, no reservations, pay at lock box

rjwilliams · 05-28-2023, 08:23 AM

Living south of Carson City, Nevada we have traveled highway 50 quite a bit as we really like taking the RV to southeastern Utah. There are two RV parks in Austin that are OK and there are a couple of nice restaurants in town. If you don't mind spending a night without hookups try the Bob Scott Forest Service Campground about 5 miles east of Austin. It is a first come first serve area but we have never had a problem finding a spot. It's about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Great Basin. The astronomy program at Great Basin is really great.

NevadaNick · 05-31-2023, 06:03 AM

When was the last time you were in Austin? There are only 2 places to eat, possibly a 3rd but i have never seen it open, the International hotel and the burger trailer at the gas station. Please tell me about the nice restaurants i have been missing. As for the op if you do not need hookups you can pull off just about anywhere there is room to.

rjwilliams · 06-01-2023, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

When was the last time you were in Austin? There are only 2 places to eat, possibly a 3rd but i have never seen it open, the International hotel and the burger trailer at the gas station. Please tell me about the nice restaurants i have been missing. As for the op if you do not need hookups you can pull off just about anywhere there is room to.

Two years ago. I’ve eaten at 2 different places there. Grandma’s and Owl are quite acceptable IMO. Didn’t mean to infer they were up to your apparent gourmet standards. Personally an improved campsite with a camp table and fire ring is preferable than simply pulling off any old place. I would give the 2 RB parks in Austin itself 2 stars at best.

twogypsies · 06-01-2023, 01:13 PM

Here are some Austin restaurants:

https://restaurantguru.com/Austin-Nevada

https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/jan...ary-2019/8248/

NevadaNick · 06-01-2023, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjwilliams

Two years ago. I’ve eaten at 2 different places there. Grandma’s and Owl are quite acceptable IMO. Didn’t mean to infer they were up to your apparent gourmet standards. Personally an improved campsite with a camp table and fire ring is preferable than simply pulling off any old place. I would give the 2 RB parks in Austin itself 2 stars at best.

Those are in Eureka

twogypsies · 06-01-2023, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

Those are in Eureka

Grandma's is in Austin:

https://website-63087422756324387612...business.site/

as is The Owl:

https://www.menupix.com/nevada/resta...Club-Austin-NV

NevadaNick · 06-02-2023, 05:36 AM

I have never seen those open and up until a couple months ago used to go through Austin pretty regularly. Not sure how i could have missed them but i guess i did. I’ve eaten at the Toiyobe before the pandemic and the International hotel as well as the burger trailer at Champs.

Issaquahiker · 06-02-2023, 09:22 AM

Okay. Seems like the plan is Austin RV Park or Pony Express, no reservations, pay at the box. If nothing available, try Bob Scott Forest Service, 1st come, 1st served. And if all that fails, just find someplace "off the beaten path". And if cant get into Great Basin, Sacramento Pass BLM is an option. Thanks!

NevadaNick · 06-02-2023, 07:28 PM

If you need hookups at Great Basin there is a motel/rv park at the border of Utah.

NVFlyAngler · 06-03-2023, 06:25 AM

The Whispering Elms in downtown Baker, NV has RV sites with 30/50 amp power and water.

Also highly recommended if you have the time: The Northern Nevada Railway Museum in Ely.

profdan · 06-04-2023, 06:32 AM

If you can, spend a few days at Great Basin -- best night sky I have ever seen. This blog post may be of interest:

https://lookmomwerecamping.blogspot....ountry_30.html