Located to the north of Great Basin National Park is a wilderness area perfect for RV lovers who want a challenge. Featuring nearly 88,800 acres, Mount Moriah Wilderness was first designated as a wilderness area in 1989. With many areas that have yet to be explored, Mount Moriah Wilderness is the true definition of wilderness, with no amenities available for visitors.
The area takes its name from the 12,000 foot high Mt. Moriah that is located within the designation. Be ready to experience some unique landscapes thanks in part to the collection of shallow caves and the sub-alpine vegetation where the elevation levels are lower. The wilderness area is also home to many Native American pictographs within the caves that are protected and must not be touched.
Although there are no water collection points within the wilderness, there are plenty of different species of wildlife that survive off the four creeks located throughout the area. Within the creeks, you can also cast out a line and try to catch some trout, but the most popular activities for visitors are either hunting or hiking. There are around 30 miles of trails that you can easily explore and a further 50 miles that are more difficult to access.
Don't expect any RV campgrounds at Mount Moriah Wilderness, but there is plenty of room for free camping on BLM land. If you are looking for developed camping you can head to the nearby Great Basin National Park where there are five campgrounds suitable for RV use. Peak season at Mount Moriah Wilderness is from April through to September.
Getting to and from Mount Moriah Wilderness is fairly straightforward compared to most of the other wilderness areas thanks to a country road that takes you from the US-50 directly to the wilderness. Since you will be nowhere near any supplies or basic amenities, it is paramount that you stock up on water, food, medication, gas, and anything else you may need to survive if something goes wrong. The closest city to Mount Moriah Wilderness is Ely, which is around 61 miles to the west. This will be the best place to get any supplies.
The county road that takes you to the wilderness area is kept in good condition. However, during the wintertime there will be heavy snowfall around. It is unclear whether this road is regularly plowed, so we recommend calling the Ely Ranger District Office for confirmation before you begin your journey if you want to visit the area at this time. If there is heavy snowfall around, the roads can also become dangerous, so be prepared for these conditions as best as you can be.
Since this is BLM land you are welcome to stop and park on the roads in the wilderness area, but it is highly recommended that you park at previously used sites so that damage to the environment can be limited.
Another great camping option for RV lovers traveling in the summer months is the Upper Lehman Creek Campground. The Upper Lehman Creek area is at a higher elevation and features 24 sites that are spread out over two separate loops. The way the campground is set up means that you won't be able to see any other neighboring sites. Out of the 24 sites, two are also wheelchair accessible.
Known as the prettiest campground in the area, there is plenty of privacy at the campground and many amenities to enjoy. These include vault bathrooms, water collection points, picnic tables, and an amphitheater. Pets are also allowed within the campground and you should also be able to get cell phone reception on all of the major networks.
Like the rest of the campgrounds within Great Basin National Park, there are no reservations available at the Upper Lehman Creek Campground.
RV lovers who are looking to visit Mount Moriah are usually ready to do dry camping since it is free due to the wilderness being on BLM Land. This is the perfect place to do this, but if you are wanting to camp somewhere more developed the few options that you have are at the nearby Great Basin National Park.
The most popular campground for RVs at Great Basin National Park is Lower Lehman Creek. This campground (unlike the others in the park) is open all year round, so you know that you will have a place to set up if you are visiting during the winter months. RVs up to 40 feet long can call Lower Lehman Creek Campground home and make use of the amenities that are available, such as the trash disposal, water collection points, and dump station that is located on the main road within the National Park.
Something to be aware of is that Lower Lehman Creek is only available on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is no guarantee that sites will be free upon your arrival. To minimize this risk we recommend arriving early.
Packing your hiking boots is mandatory if you want to make the most of your time at Mount Moriah Wilderness. Getting out and exploring the trails is the best way for you to see the wilderness, and thanks to the miles upon miles of trails, you will have plenty of sightseeing to do. Since there are no amenities in the wilderness, you will have to bring water with you on your hike and we also recommend taking some food just in case you run into some trouble.
It is quite rare to find fishing opportunities in the Nevada wilderness, but Mount Moriah Wilderness is the exception. There are four year-round streams flowing through the area that are perfect for anglers wanting to have some fun. The most popular species to target when fishing is trout, but there may be some other fish species too that you can try to catch. Before you think about casting out a line make sure you have a Nevada fishing license and that you have all the fishing gear that is necessary since you won't be able to find any near the area.
Along with hiking, hunting is the other most popular recreational activity in Mount Moriah Wilderness and you will have plenty of space to try and catch your target species. All of the 80,000+ acres in this wilderness area can be hunted on, with the major species that are targeted being deer, elk, and grouse. Your vehicle will have to park outside of the wilderness boundary, so if you are hunting, be prepared to walk in and walk out with your catch.
The incredible caves and sub-alpine vegetation that is found within Mount Moriah Wilderness make for some beautiful scenic landscape photography opportunities. Capturing the sunrise or sunset over the rugged topography of the land could lead to some stunning photography on digital or film, and you will be able to show off the little-explored wilderness to your friends and family.
All of your photography equipment should be charged before entering the wilderness and you should be prepared for the winter weather if you are taking photos during this time of the year.
Another great aspect to Mount Moriah Wilderness is that the miles upon miles of trails can also be used by horseback riders. You and your horse will be able to travel onto the trails that may be too treacherous for hiking and you will have the chance to experience and discover thousands of acres that have remained untouched for centuries. If you are thinking about bringing your horse you will need to also bring your own feed as there is none available.
When the snowfall has begun, there is nothing stopping you from busting out the snow gear and having some fun out in the wilderness. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are the two easiest winter recreational activities to do, but you could also try your hand at ice fishing in one of the streams.
If you do decide to go snowshoeing it will be rare for you to encounter anyone else out here during this time, which is something to keep in mind.
