| South Fork State Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
South Fork Dam and Reservoir, looking southeast
| |
  Location in Nevada | |
| Location | Elko County, Nevada, United States |
| Nearest city | Elko, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 40°39′27″N 115°44′47″W / 40.65750°N 115.74639°W / 40.65750; -115.74639[1] |
| Area | 3,903.04 acres (15.7950 km2)[2] |
| Elevation | 5,226 ft (1,593 m)[1] |
| Designation | Nevada state recreation area |
| Established | 1983 |
| Visitors | 21,378 (in 2017)[3] |
| Administrator | Nevada Division of State Parks |
| Website | South Fork State Recreation Area |
South Fork State Recreation Area is a state park unit of the state of Nevada covering nearly four thousand acres, located five miles (8.0 km) due south of Elko.[4] The park comprises the 1,650-acre (670 ha) South Fork Reservoir[5] and surrounding marsh, meadowlands, and hills.[6]
The land was formerly the site of the Tomera Ranch, which was sold to the state in 1983. The reservoir was created with construction of the South Fork Dam, an impoundment on the South Fork of the Humboldt River authorized in 1983 and completed in 1988.[7] Filling of the reservoir was completed in 1995.[8]
Facilities include a 25-site campground, boat ramp, and parking area near the dam. The reservoir is known for its trophy-class trout and bass fishing.[4] South Fork Canyon, managed by the Bureau of Land Management below the dam, is available for hiking, floating, and fishing.[9]
