Camping near Dolan Springs, Arizona offers access to the Mojave Desert ecosystem at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 feet. This high desert region experiences temperature fluctuations of up to 30 degrees between day and night. With Joshua tree forests surrounding many campgrounds, visitors can expect extremely dry conditions with humidity often below 15% during spring through fall months.
What to do
Lake activities at Cottonwood Cove Resort: Visitors can enjoy paddling, fishing, and swimming in Lake Mojave. "Water is so clear you can see the fish underneath as you paddle out. We have many favorite beaches outside the marina to paddle to for those hot summer days," notes Jessica W. about Cottonwood Cove Resort.
Desert hiking and wildlife viewing: Explore the Joshua tree forests surrounding Meadview. "During the day there are many things you can do: fishing, hiking, biking, atv riding, swimming, gold prospecting, walking, visit the sky walk, kayaking, and so much more," says Mike K. about Meadview RV Park.
Stargazing opportunities: The area has minimal light pollution. "No light pollution at night so you can see the Milky Way, the mountain views are spectacular everywhere you look, and if you're a rockhound like myself, this area is a little piece of heaven," reports Dania A. about Tradewinds RV Park.
What campers like
Mountain views: The surrounding desert landscape offers panoramic vistas. "We were amazed at the dazzling views of the Grapevine Mountains and Grand Canyon West, which is about 35 minutes away," writes MickandKarla W. about Meadview RV Park.
Water clarity at Lake Mojave: The lake's exceptional visibility makes it popular for swimming. "This campground is a great stop for boaters, anglers, and anyone who just wants to enjoy beautiful water with a desert backdrop," explains Michael K. about Cottonwood Cove Resort.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. "Sites were pretty spacious with Oleander bushes providing some screening. Plenty of available sites, well maintained bathrooms," notes Mark J. about Katherine Landing North Campground.
What you should know
Limited services in remote areas: Stock up before arrival at some locations. "The nearest major amenities are in Kingman about an hour away so stock up before you arrive. If you really want to get away from it all this quiet CG is your place," advises MickandKarla W.
Pet restrictions vary significantly: Some campgrounds prohibit animals entirely while others have designated areas. "Dogs not allowed waterside but a nice cove (6 Mile Cove) is just a short drive and dogs allowed there," mentions Larry L.
Wind exposure in desert settings: Some sites experience strong desert winds. "We stayed on the top level, but next time I would ask for a lower level space as the wind blew one night mercilessly with nothing but open desert behind us," reports William J. about Riverside Casino and RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for shaded sites: Desert sun can be intense for children. "Each site had a tent pad but there was no rhyme or reason as to where they were located. Basically, every site was designed differently," reports Ashlee L. about Boulder Beach Campground.
Swimming areas with amenities: Some locations have developed beach areas for families. "The beach had steel canopy structures and charcoal grills so you can spend your days grilling on the beach after you go fishing in the morning," says Michael K.
Plan activities for children: Some rv parks Dolan Springs and vicinity lack kid-focused facilities. "We had an amazing lake view site with full hookups for our rv. It was only 7 minutes to the hover dam and 5 minutes into Boulder City. The only down side was it wasn't made with kids in mind. It's more of a retirement area," advises Chris H.
Tips from RVers
Storage space at campsites: Many rv camping areas near Dolan Springs provide extra room. "Really big spaces that can accommodate any size rig and a pickup or towed vehicle and then some," writes William J. about Riverside Casino and RV Park.
Shuttle services at some locations: Some parks offer transportation to nearby attractions. "The casino shuttle is only a phone call away and very quick to respond. Full hookups with 30 or 50 amp," notes William J.
Bathroom and laundry quality: Facility cleanliness varies between rv parks near Dolan Springs. "Bathrooms and laundry are spotless and an easy walk from our campsite #522," says William J. "Far and away the cleanest bathrooms and nicest showers of any campground / RV park I've ever been to!" reports Paige H. about Sunrise RV Park.
