Camping options near Meadview, Arizona provide access to Lake Mead National Recreation Area at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F from June through September, with winter lows occasionally dropping to freezing. The area's location at the western edge of the Grand Canyon offers unique camping opportunities in desert terrain dotted with Joshua trees and bordered by striking cliff formations.
What to do
Hiking desert trails: Several miles of hiking paths surround Boulder Beach Campground, offering desert landscapes and lake views. "We love the desert and this place was a gem. I have to say the wild donkeys were awesome and funny. We can see stars in the nights sky for miles so if your a star watcher then this is the place for you," shares Robin M.
Water activities: Lake access points provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Willow Beach Campground and RV Park, campers can enjoy water recreation directly from their campsite. "This is a beautiful campground, the facilities are impeccably clean. Camp sites are spacious, level and really well maintained," notes Steve C.
ATV riding: The surrounding desert terrain offers extensive off-road vehicle trails. A visitor to Chloride Western RV Park mentioned, "We did a lot of ATV riding while here. Lots of rain recently made a couple roads a little scary but we went far enough to see some old mines."
Star gazing: The remote location delivers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "We can see stars in the nights sky for miles so if your a star watcher then this is the place for you," notes a Boulder Beach Campground visitor.
What campers like
Desert wildlife encounters: The surrounding landscape provides opportunities to observe native desert species. "I have to say the wild donkeys were awesome and funny," shares a camper at Boulder Beach.
Water clarity: The Colorado River and Lake Mead system offers unusually transparent waters. According to Jessica W. at Cottonwood Cove Resort RV Park, "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."
Mining history exploration: The nearby ghost town of Chloride provides historical interest. As one camper at Chloride Western RV Park notes, "The town of Chloride is rich with mining history and the locals are very friendly."
Winter comfort: The moderate winter temperatures make this an ideal cold-season destination. At Willow Beach Campground, Aaron S. observed, "We absolutely love this place. Need reservations early. Well maintained. Too hot in summer."
What you should know
Supply planning requirements: Limited services in Meadview necessitate bringing adequate provisions. At Canyon Trail RV Park in nearby Boulder City, visitors appreciate the "Short walk to shopping. The park was very clean and the people super nice."
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat restricts outdoor activities to early morning and evening hours. "We decided to stay outside Vegas this time and I'm so glad we did. This place is so nice and quiet. Also there are hiking trails galore here," notes Jim R. about Canyon Trail RV Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between rv parks in Meadview, Arizona and surrounding areas. At Willow Beach Campground, Steve C. mentioned, "No cell service but they do have medium quality WiFi."
Water level fluctuations: Lake Mead's shoreline changes dramatically with water levels. Michael C. observed at Lake Mead RV Village, "We scored a 'lakefront' spot. These are closest to the lake, but when we visited, lake mead was very low, so the shoreline was about 1/4 mile away."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming accessibility: Look for campgrounds with designated swim areas for safer water access. The Cottonwood Cove Resort area offers "steel canopy structures and charcoal grills so you can spend your days grilling on the beach after you go fishing in the morning," according to Michael K.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some rv camping facilities near Meadview cater more to adults than children. Chris H. at Lake Mead RV Village shared this insight: "The only down side was it wasn't made with kids in mind. It's more of a retirement area. Make sure to have plans or stuff for the kids to do, but other than that, it was awesome."
Plan indoor activities: Summer heat requires indoor options during peak daytime temperatures. "We were en route to Utah and it was an awesome stop," noted Raf A. about Lake Mead RV Village during 120°F weather.
Pet restrictions: Verify pet policies before arrival as they vary by location. Larry L. warns, "Dogs not allowed waterside but a nice cove (6 Mile Cove) is just a short drive and dogs allowed there."
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Some sites require extra-long hookup hoses. At Joshua Re-TREE-t, Rebecca R. describes, "Come enjoy this boon docking site in a National Joshua Tree Forest by the Skywalk! And close to many other sites and cities! Beautiful large space, fun walkways to bench swing, campfire pit, star gazing stage, picnic table, BBQ and lake access close by."
Parking configurations: RV parks in the area often have specific parking requirements. At Lake Mead RV Village, one camper noted vehicles must be parked at the same angle as the RV so mobile home residents across the street can see the lake.
Mountain biking access: Some rv parks near Meadview offer direct trail access. At Canyon Trail RV Park, Becky A. explains, "We came in December and even with the cold weather we really enjoyed the MTB trails directly behind the RV park."
Travel planning: Schedule arrivals before noon when possible to maximize setup during cooler hours. "Called the morning of arrival to see if we could come in early as we were only about 1.5 hours away due to poor planning. They let us come in before noon with no charge!" reports a visitor to Lake Mead RV Village.
