U.S. Forest Service · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Nevada

Toquima Cave Campground

The big attraction here is, of course, the caves. The half-mile Cave trail begins in the campground, with a series of stone steps leading to the rock shelter site. The red, yellow, black and white images (pictographs) here were painted by ancient Shoshones. Projectile points found at this cave date to about 600-1300 CE. On nearby BLM land is Spencers Hot Springs. The water is 192 degrees, and there is a developed tub and a below-ground pool. 2 units NO group.

First-come, first-servedFreeTents only

More like this: first-come in Nevada · free in Nevada · tent only in Nevada

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
FeesNo fee

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

SeasonMid-May to Late October
ForestHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
FeesNo fee
RulesDogs must be on a leash at campground.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Toquima Cave Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 1.22 inches of precipitation, 10.4 inches of snowFebruary: 1.15 inches of precipitation, 12.9 inches of snowMarch: 1.46 inches of precipitation, 11.8 inches of snowApril: 1.64 inches of precipitation, 8.4 inches of snowMay: 1.86 inches of precipitation, 2.6 inches of snowJune: 0.61 inches of precipitation, 0.9 inches of snowJuly: 0.58 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.40 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 0.64 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowOctober: 0.53 inches of precipitation, 0.8 inches of snowNovember: 1.11 inches of precipitation, 6.8 inches of snowDecember: 1.14 inches of precipitation, 8.7 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 34.2°F averageFebruary: 35.0°F averageMarch: 40.7°F averageApril: 45.0°F averageMay: 53.9°F averageJune: 63.4°F averageJuly: 72.6°F averageAugust: 70.8°F averageSeptember: 62.6°F averageOctober: 51.0°F averageNovember: 40.0°F averageDecember: 32.6°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Austin #2, 26 miles from the campground at 6,780 feet, station USC00260507 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 12 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 64 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Coordinates39.1877° N, 116.7905° W · Directions ↗

Explore

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.1 mi
    Toquima Cave Trail
    0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.6 mi
    Toquima Trail
    3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
  • 0.7 mi
    Muggs Motortrail ↗
    6.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
  • 2.5 mi
    Deer Spring Trail ↗
    4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
  • 3.7 mi
    Clipper Gap
    1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
  • 3.9 mi
    East Toquima Spring
    1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Guidebooks for Nevada

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Hiking Nevada
    Bruce Grubbs, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Backpacking Trips in California and Nevada
    Mike White and Douglas Lorain, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Hikes Reno and Lake Tahoe
    Tracy Salcedo, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Toquima Cave Campground?

No. Toquima Cave Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Forest Service

How much does it cost to camp at Toquima Cave Campground?

Nothing. Toquima Cave Campground is listed as free. No fee

Source: Forest Service

Can I bring an RV to Toquima Cave Campground?

Toquima Cave Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

What if Toquima Cave Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Kingston Campground (19 mi, first-come), Big Creek Campground (21.5 mi, first-come), and Bob Scott Campground (21.6 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby