Topaz Lake Campground
Douglas County Parks & Recreation - Topaz Lake Recreation Area
Longitude -119.52060, Latitude 38.69558

The Topaz Lake Campground is located on the Northeast shore of Topaz Lake approximately 20 minutes south of Minden and Gardnerville. Access is via US 395 and the paved Topaz Park Drive (junction is next to the Best Western motel).

Topaz Lake is a high desert reservoir that is quite popular with boating recreationists and fishermen. It's moderate elevation and relative proximity to urban Nevada will bring people here in the droves. However, a significant increase in fees lately seems to have had a small impact on the number of visitors in the park. But Douglas County Parks has done a lot with the increased revenue. I could hardly recognize the place since my last visit 8 years ago.

At the Entrance to the County Park, there is a manned Ranger Station. Here you will stop and pay your fees. $5 for day visits. $10 for Boat Launch. $15 for "Dry Camping" and $20 for sites with Hookups.

The campground is paved and broken into two sections. The Shaded Camping Area near the entrance, and the Open Camping Area farther back. The Shaded Camping area is very nice with mostly large cottonwood trees providing ample shade. There are only "dry camping" sites here. The Open Camping Area provides virtually no shade, but they are slightly more elevated and get an expansive view of the lake and the front range of the Sierra Nevada beyond. The 29 sites with RV hookups are in the open camping area.

Since my last visit, the open camping area now is paved, added a nice new set of vault toilets, upgraded the sites, added rustic wood fencing, added the new RV sites and planted a lot of trees. In 15 years, the open area should be nice and shaded too. In 1998, this area was little more than a bunch of sand with a few picnic tables. It was referred to as the "Overflow" area.

One significant detriment to the Topaz Lake campground is that most of the sites are close together. Definitely going for the sardine can effect here. The shaded sites go fast, and you will be on top of each other. If you prefer more privacy, you may need to stake your claim in the open camping area.

Since this is a county park, the facilities here are very nice and very clean. It feels safe with Park Rangers patrolling often. This is a great place to car camp with the family. And if you forget something, the Topaz General Store at the Topaz Lodge is only 5 minutes away. Also there is dining and gaming there, too, should you be so inclined.

Visited May 1998 and October 2006.