Cave Lake

Cave Lake State Park encompasses a scenic 32-acre reservoir nestled in the Schell Creek Range of eastern Nevada at an elevation of 7,300 feet. The park provides a mountain oasis amid the sagebrush valleys, offering exceptional trout fishing, camping, and hiking opportunities with stunning views of surrounding peaks. The cool pine forests and clear mountain waters provide welcome relief from the desert heat that dominates much of Nevada.

The park's mountain environment supports diverse wildlife typical of the Great Basin highlands. Mule deer browse in meadows and forest edges, particularly visible at dawn and dusk. Mountain lions, bobcats, and black bears occasionally pass through the area. The lake supports populations of rainbow, brown, and tiger trout stocked by Nevada Department of Wildlife. Osprey, bald eagles, and great blue herons fish the reservoir. Numerous songbirds nest in the pine forests during summer.

Ponderosa pine, white fir, and aspen forests surround the lake, creating a montane environment unusual for Nevada state parks. Mountain mahogany and juniper grow on drier slopes while willows line the reservoir shoreline. Wildflower meadows bloom profusely in late spring and early summer. The park lies within the Great Basin bristlecone pine zone, though these ancient trees grow at higher elevations in the surrounding wilderness.

Cave Lake occupies a natural basin enhanced by a small dam constructed in the 1930s. The surrounding Schell Creek Range consists primarily of Paleozoic limestone and dolomite deposited in ancient tropical seas over 400 million years ago. Karst features including caves and sinkholes have developed where groundwater dissolves the carbonate rocks. The range was uplifted and shaped by faulting associated with Basin and Range extension.

The high elevation creates a mountain climate significantly cooler than Nevada's desert valleys. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach the 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit, with cool nights in the 40s and 50s. Winter brings heavy snowfall that closes the campground from November through April, though the lake remains accessible for ice fishing. Annual precipitation exceeds 20 inches, mostly falling as winter snow.

Western Shoshone peoples utilized this mountain environment for seasonal hunting and gathering for thousands of years. Euro-American settlement began in the 1860s with ranching and mining in the Steptoe Valley below. Early settlers recognized the recreational value of this mountain lake, and it became a popular summer destination for residents of Ely and surrounding communities. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed facilities during the 1930s.

Nevada established Cave Lake State Park in 1937 following Civilian Conservation Corps development of the dam, campground, and access road. The park has long served as a mountain retreat for eastern Nevada residents and travelers on U.S. Highway 50. Recent improvements have modernized camping facilities while maintaining the park's rustic mountain character. The park encompasses 1,240 acres including the lake and surrounding forestland.

Fishing is the primary attraction, with the lake regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout reaching trophy sizes. The 6.5-mile Steptoe Creek Trail connects Cave Lake to Success Loop, climbing through pine forests with views of the Steptoe Valley. Winter brings ice fishing and cross-country skiing opportunities. The Schell Creek Range rising above the park offers additional backcountry hiking on national forest lands.

The park offers two campgrounds with 36 total sites, including both electric hookup and primitive sites. Modern restrooms with showers serve campers. A boat ramp provides lake access for small watercraft; only electric motors are permitted. The park is located 7 miles southeast of Ely via Success Summit Road. Ely offers full services including lodging, restaurants, fuel, and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.

Park management works with Nevada Department of Wildlife to maintain healthy fish populations through regular stocking and habitat improvement. Invasive species prevention focuses on keeping aquatic nuisances out of this pristine mountain lake. Forest management includes fuels reduction to protect against catastrophic wildfire. The park balances recreational use with protection of the mountain ecosystem that makes Cave Lake special.