South Fork State Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Ruby Mountains Gateway — Recreation area on the South Fork Humboldt River in the shadow of the Ruby Mountains (“Nevada’s Alps”) — the 2,000-acre reservoir offers trophy trout fishing at 5,700 feet elevation with jaw-dropping mountain views. The Ruby Mountains reach 11,387 feet at Ruby Dome!
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Spring Creek, NV |
| Peak | Ruby Dome — 11,387 feet! |
About South Fork
South Fork State Recreation Area in Elko County provides recreation on a 1,650-acre reservoir in the Ruby Mountains foothills — Nevada’s “Alps.” The Rubies rise to 11,387 feet (Ruby Dome), supporting alpine lakes, glacial cirques, and the only mountain goat population in Nevada. South Fork Reservoir is one of the state’s top bass fisheries. Elko hosts the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering — the premier celebration of western ranch culture.
Things to Do
Fishing for trophy bass, camping, boating, waterfowl hunting (seasonal), wildlife watching, and gateway to the Ruby Mountains — Nevada’s most spectacular mountain range.
Nature & Wildlife
The Ruby Mountains — Nevada’s most dramatic range — support mountain goats (introduced 1960s), mule deer, elk, and the Lahontan cutthroat trout (the largest cutthroat subspecies, historically reaching 40 pounds). South Fork Reservoir’s warm water fishery contrasts with the Rubies’ cold alpine lakes. Golden eagles and prairie falcons hunt the sagebrush-covered foothills. The South Fork of the Humboldt River was a critical water source on the California Trail during the 1849 Gold Rush.
Insider Tips
Ruby Mountains: South Fork Reservoir sits beneath the Ruby Mountains — called the “Alps of Nevada” for their dramatic 11,000-foot peaks, glacial cirques, and alpine lakes. Pro tip: The Rubies are one of Nevada’s best-kept secrets — Lamoille Canyon rivals anything in the Rockies. Ranch country: Elko County is ranch country — the Cowboy Poetry Gathering has been held here since 1985.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cowboy Poetry Gathering?
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada (since 1985) is the premier celebration of Western ranching culture — cowboys, ranchers, and Western artists share poetry, music, and stories. The gathering helped preserve an oral tradition dating to the open-range era. Attendees come from across the West. The event proved that “cowboy poetry” was a legitimate art form — earning NEA support and international recognition for a tradition many assumed was extinct.
