Dispersed camping in the Bullhead City area spans several terrain types, from the rocky desert uplands to the Colorado River's edge. Most sites sit between 500-900 feet elevation, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 110°F during July-August. Free camping options typically consist of unmarked pull-offs on BLM land with no developed facilities and access roads ranging from graded dirt to challenging rocky tracks.
What to do
Explore wild burro habitat: Near The Y Dispersed Campsite, campers regularly encounter wild burros. "Burros frequent the area looking for food from travelers and often stand in the middle of the road. They also gather among the campers," notes Brad B., though he cautions about "vehicles that use the lot as a shortcut to avoid turning ahead at the Y intersection."
Watch wildlife at waterfront sites: Lakeside camping at Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove offers exceptional wildlife viewing. "The water is the clearest I've ever seen and the water fowl dive freely along the banks. There is a treasure trove of wildlife here apparent just from the birds singing," reports a visitor to nearby coves. The shallow water areas are "great for kids and dogs," according to Kiersten M.
Rock formations exploration: The unique geology around Craggy Wash - Dispersed Camping Area provides interesting day hikes. "Cool spot to fly the drone, caves and weird stuff left behind by previous campers," says David H. Randy C. adds it's "little dusty getting in. Well worth the visit, great rock formations."
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: Several sites offer minimal light pollution. At W Big Wash Road Dispersed, Dariusz K. notes the "fantastic sky at night," while the area provides "having all the space and quiet to ourselves was magical."
Lake access with shallow swimming: Water activities remain the biggest draw. Josh F. describes Telephone Cove as having "plenty of camping spots along the water with some shade trees" and being "big rig friendly." Toni K. adds, "nice place no one was around. Clear water and perfect temperature to swim and paddle in."
Seclusion despite proximity to town: Many campers appreciate the balance of isolation with nearby services. At Craggy Wash, Cassidy remarks, "I loved how we felt completely secluded while only being a few miles from town." Shawn A. appreciates that there's "not as much wind either and it is FREE for 14 days. Fairly clean & less Razor traffic too. No highway noise at all."
What you should know
Varying road conditions: Access difficulty varies significantly between sites. At Arrowhead Cove, "there is a sign at the entrance of Mead-Davis Powerline Rd road that says 4x4 recommended... Take this to heart." Ryan N. describes W Big Wash Road as "about 1.5 miles off the highway on a dirt road" with a road that's "a little washboard."
Occupancy patterns: Sites fill predictably based on season and day of week. "I arrived Friday at 3:00 p.m. and found the last spot," reports Steve M. about Telephone Cove, while another camper notes, "We came in the winter thinking it wouldn't be to be too busy and it was."
Trash issues: Several free sites have waste management problems. David H. notes at Craggy Wash "there is a lot of trash, and it has been here for some time. The trash attracts bugs, so the fly situation is higher than some other places we have been." Another visitor observes, "Main negative is the significant trash that is scattered around in bushes, side cubbies etc."
Wildlife concerns: Desert wildlife requires awareness. At W Big Wash Road, Katie C. warns, "we ran into a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake within feet of the campsite. They are aggressive and fatal. We left to go find somewhere else. Be careful."
Tips for camping with families
Best spots for children: Lakefront sites with gentle slopes work best. Kiersten M. recommends Telephone Cove because "shallow water is great for kids and dogs" and notes it has "restrooms and dumpsters available." The area is "a no wake zone for swimming."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal encounters can be educational. Lauren M. found the "cows are super cute to wake up to" at W Big Wash Road, while the burros at The Y Dispersed Campsite provide natural entertainment for children.
Noise considerations: Sound carries differently across sites. TR describes Nine Mile Coves as "sandy, exposed lot with a couple good sites" but warns about "lots of wind from all directions." David H. mentions some noise challenges: "some dude had a generator running most of the night down the hill, but it was far enough away to not be a big deal."
Tips from RVers
Large rig access: Not all free camping areas accommodate big rigs. Steve M. cautions about Telephone Cove: "Do not recommend trying to take anything bigger than a 35 ft RV down there," though Josh F. found the dirt road "about 4 miles long from the highway but pretty well graded and easy to drive, big rig friendly."
Leveling challenges: Finding flat spots requires planning. At Craggy Wash, Shawn A. reports, "I had plenty of places to park my Big Girl 30 footer. Pretty level sites," while others recommend driving farther in to find better options.
Utilities and services: No hookups exist, but cell coverage varies. Jeff R. notes Craggy Wash offers "lots of room, good cell service and close to town," while Liz Y. found W Big Wash Road had "sketchy cell (AT&T) and no internet."
