Kayaking to Emerald Cave is the draw here, and reaching the water takes real effort. The dispersed camping area sits along a rough dirt road off Highway 93, and reviewers consistently flag road conditions as a key factor: one notes that a single steep hill was enough to stop a non-4WD vehicle before reaching the end of the road. Campers who do make it can hike down to the Colorado River, where the water runs cold and takes on a distinctive green color. The site has no shade. At 117°F on a summer day, that absence matters.
Access logistics shape the experience considerably. The road requires a capable vehicle, and the final stretch to the river involves a multi-mile hike, sometimes with gear. One reviewer carried a kayak the entire way down and noted it was worth it once on the water. The area fills up early, particularly on weekends when day-trippers arrive from Las Vegas. Campers should also note there is a $25 entry fee for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, plus a separate nightly campground fee.
As Eli S. wrote, "the water felt amazing and is so clear with the emerald green color." For those weighing options in the area, Willow Beach RV Park & Campground sits about a mile southeast and provides hookups and more structured facilities. Campers interested in primitive camping near Lake Mead National Recreation Area will find this site representative of what that style of camping involves in this desert corridor. It suits paddlers and hikers who can handle rough road access, no shade, and a physical approach to the water.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsEmerald Cave Dispersed is located in Arizona near Willow Beach
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
35.88258626 N
114.6748634 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Emerald Cave Dispersed — Lake Mead National Recreation Area needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 8 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 1 hr 56 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
- 2 hrs 37 min from St. George, UT
- 3 hrs 14 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
