Big Bend RV Park

Paved full-hookup sites on the Truckee River — shaded, grassy, 30 min from Reno

Location: Wadsworth, NV, NV

Price: From $45 per night

Price range: $45–$55 per night

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (48 reviews)

Elevation: 4200 feet

Season: Year-round

Big Bend RV Park is a peaceful riverside retreat on the Truckee River, operated by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Unlike the open desert of Pyramid Lake Marina, Big Bend is lush — paved sites surrounded by grass and mature shade trees with walking trails and picnic areas. All sites are full hookup with 30/50 amp electric, water, sewer, and dump station. Located right off I-80 in Wadsworth, Nevada, it’s an ideal overnight stop or extended stay base for exploring the Reno area and Pyramid Lake. Ho

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.

Amenities: Full Hookups (Water/Sewer), 30 Amp Electric, 50 Amp Electric, Paved Sites, Dump Station, Laundry (On-Site), Showers, Restrooms, Shade Trees, Grassy Sites, Walking Trails, Picnic Areas, Truckee River Access, Horse Boarding (Extra), Pet Friendly, Big Rig Friendly

Big Bend is the rare Reno-area RV park that actually has shade. The Truckee River runs alongside, the sites are paved and level, and the grass and trees make it feel like a real campground rather than a desert parking lot. Operated by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, it’s priced fairly and sits right off I-80 — easy in, easy out. For big rig drivers hauling toward Burning Man or heading to Pyramid Lake, it’s the best-positioned overnight stop in the corridor.

The Truckee River at Big Bend is one of the few spots in the Reno corridor where you can walk along a river with mature cottonwood trees. The same river flows through downtown Reno — here it’s quiet, undeveloped, and yours alone on most mornings.

What is new at Big Bend RV Park: Weekly rates now available at $270/week ($313.95 with tax and fees) as of 2025. Good value for Burning Man staging stays.

Wildlife alert: Occasional coyotes along the river at dawn and dusk. Keep pets on leash and food secured.

Fire rules: Tribal land regulations apply. Campfires in designated rings only. No open fires during windy conditions.

Things to do near Big Bend RV Park: Morning walk along the Truckee River trail — cottonwood shade, birds, and silence. Horse boarding option — one of very few RV parks in Nevada that accommodates equestrians. Quick drive to I-80 Smokeshop (2 miles) for fireworks, permits, and Paiute crafts.

Insider tips for Big Bend RV Park: Wadsworth exit off I-80 — westbound exit 43, eastbound exit 46 Book ahead for Burning Man week — fills up completely The river side sites have the best morning light and least highway noise Horse boarding available — call (775) 575-2185 ahead to arrange

Skip Big Bend RV Park if: You need tent camping. You want a destination experience (this is a transit park). You need cell signal reliability.

Best time to visit Big Bend RV Park: Year-round — I-80 corridor stays mild. No extreme heat like the lake. Good winter stopover.. Aug (Burning Man) — Heavy demand as a staging ground. Book ahead for the last week of August..

Common issues at Big Bend RV Park: I-80 traffic noise audible from some sites. Request a site on the river side of the park, away from the highway. The sound drops significantly with trees as a buffer. No tent camping or long-term stays available. For dispersed camping or longer stays, Pyramid Lake tribal land (28 miles north) allows beach camping with a permit. Cell signal can be spotty in Wadsworth. Verizon and AT&T generally work. Download offline maps before arrival. The I-80 corridor is more reliable than the lake.

What campers say about Big Bend RV Park: "Paved, level, shady, right off the highway. Exactly what I needed for an overnight before Burning Man. Staff were friendly and helpful." — Google Apr 2025 "The shade trees are the big selling point. Most Nevada RV parks are exposed desert lots. This one actually has grass and trees." — Campendium Mar 2025 "Easy to find right off I-80 Wadsworth exit. Full hookups, clean laundry, good showers. Would stay again." — RV Life Feb 2025 "Some highway noise but nothing terrible. The river walk in the morning makes up for it. Good value for the area." — Google Jan 2025

Nearby campgrounds: I-80 Smokeshop Campground (Wadsworth, NV), Pyramid Lake Marina & RV Park (Sutcliffe, NV), Silver City RV Resort (Dayton, NV), Washoe Lake State Park (Washoe Valley, NV).