Temple Bar Marina, Arizona sits within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where dispersed camping dominates the landscape. Kingman Wash offers free primitive camping with spots scattered along the main road, from near the interstate to three miles away at the lakeshore. The surrounding region features numerous free boondocking opportunities on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) lands. Most sites lack amenities but provide direct access to Lake Mead's shoreline. Government Wash, Stewart's Point, and Pierce Ferry Road dispersed areas accommodate various camping styles from tent camping to RVs, with many sites featuring existing fire rings and spectacular desert views.
Road conditions significantly impact accessibility throughout the region. As one camper noted, "The road is about 3 miles but takes about 25 minutes to traverse. It's hilly, bumpy and holey. High clearance vehicle suggested, but we made it in a Kia Soul!" Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain when washes can become impassable. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making fall through spring the preferred camping seasons. Cell service varies widely, with better reception typically found at higher elevations. Most dispersed sites enforce a 14-day stay limit and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Vault toilets exist at some locations, but campers should prepare to pack out all waste and bring sufficient water.
Lakefront camping receives consistently positive reviews despite challenging access. Wild burros, descendants from mining operations, frequently visit campsites and can be heard "talking" near the water in evenings. Sunset and sunrise views across Lake Mead rank among campers' favorite experiences. Several reviewers mention trash as an ongoing issue, with one noting, "We did a sweep and picked up a lot of broken glass bottles, aluminum cans, and bullet casings." Proximity to attractions like Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, and the Grand Canyon Skywalk makes these sites popular basecamps for regional exploration. Wind can be significant in exposed areas, particularly on mesa tops, and campers should secure equipment accordingly.
"The ground going to the water is rutted and steep and soft sand in parts. We saw several trucks drive down there without any problems. The two miles off the highway is paved, but in poor condition."
"One of many dispersed camping spots on Lake Mead."
"We wanted to stay close to the Skywalk (about 40min away) so we could get there early in the morning. We just pulled off and we're very glad we did."
"No restrooms as well"
"Okay so I am all for BLM, but people trashing areas are not ok! I love the new system they have built here It is still free, 14 days."
"Great spots for rv Close to lake Lots of people fishing Road is graded with camping spots or drive further rough road wild spots"
"We extended our boondocking by using our tote when we went to the state park and dumped in their RV dump. They have water too. Solar was greatly here. I would stay away in warmer seasons though."
"I spoke to the ranger and found out that checkout in the park was 2 pm. You pretty much have to catch someone leaving to get a spot in the park. We were relieved to find so many other options nearby."
"We couldn't get a spot inside Valley of Fire State Park so we decided to boondock on the BLM land outside the park."
"There is a little dirt road that continues down, and we walked it but wouldn't recommend driving it unless you have a 4x4 and high clearance."
"Some rough road getting in and to some of the spots, but popular area with lots of fairly flat spots and fire rings."
"When you turn off the paved road it is only half a mile to spacious level sites. No amenities. 5G Verizon. Very secluded."
"Arizona Hot Springs is located at Mile Marker 4 US 93 South Of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boulder City, NV 89005. Those directions will take you to the parking lot trailhead."
"You can either hike in or boat in to get to this location. We kayak in to set up camp for the night. There is a rustic toilet you can use, no water available other than the river."
"Another start in the boon-docking sash! Only caveat is the trash! Come one fellow campers, whatever happened to picking up and leaving no trace?"
"While camping at Lake Mead, you can opt to stay in there campground that has electrical hookups, but we prefer to boondock."
"The pin took us off-road to a private BLM spot that went to a dead end in which you can get out of your vehicles and hike .8 miles down to the river."
"We took road 62 off highway 93 as far as our non-4x4 vehicle could take us."
ScoutWide open with tons of space, some nice were crazy windy but others were calm. Enjoyed the stay here, try to arrive during the day to find the best camp site with your preferred view. The further in you go the road got a bit rougher
RangerGreat place to stop. Not to far off the main road. Gravel road pretty decent. Multiple places to choose from. Minimal vehicles pass bye. Good cell signal.
ScoutThis is great dispersed camping. There’s decent internet/cellular coverage for the area. The sites are quite large and open, so even when it’s busy there’s typically space for everyone. It’s typical pack in-pack out, so bring whatever you need, as there’s no services or trash/recycling here. If you’re completely self-sufficient you have a great spot here.
TravelerI just passed by on my way to Callville Bay Campground. The entrance gate was closed. I passed by at about 4 pm. I don't know for how long, or why. Just thought I'd post that it was closed when it seems like it should've been open.
ScoutThis is closed 10/26/26
GuideVery trashy, toilets are available but I have not walked into one. Contacted the park service about the condition but nobody has shown up. Supposedly no glass bottles but broken ones are abundant. Lots of loud music on the weekends.
GuideDecent spot for overnight. Nothing special. Cows and donkeys everywhere so thats pretty cool.
ScoutWe found out about this area on this site. Traveling from AZ to OR with our toy hauler and dogs. We hate hotels with dogs. We always seem to get a smelly room. Once we arrived and picked a spot we really enjoyed our space. Getting here was a bit of a puzzle. The directions led us to a space that seemed to be private property. There were faded out private property signs. We kept going and went past a makeshift fence with huge wooden posts. No more private property signs. We drove a ways to find a flat spot. Once settled in, loved our stay:) on the way out we saw where most people stay. It is well before the fence we went through and the gps destination. Nice level space. If we come back, that’s where we will stay. Also, we have AT&T and had no cell service.
GuideOpen desert with some hills and mountains in distance. Site is off first main road pull off to the right from main road. Hard packed gravel and sand. Drive for thirty seconds to a minute to find large flat campsite with campfire ring. Very quiet. Lots of stars. Some light pollution from Vegas visible to the southwest. Only ones here midweek.
Dispersed camping near Temple Bar Marina, Arizona requires navigation across high desert terrain typically at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet. The area experiences wide temperature fluctuations with winter lows occasionally dropping below freezing and summer temperatures that can reach 115°F. Wind patterns in this region can be unpredictable, especially on mesa tops where gusts frequently exceed 30 mph during spring and fall months.
Kayaking to Emerald Cave: Access the Colorado River from dispersed sites for paddling adventures to nearby caves. A camper at Emerald Cave Dispersed shared, "We decide to rent a kayak for the weekend so we can explore Emerald Cave and its surroundings. The water felt amazing and is so clear with the emerald green color to it."
Hiking desert canyons: Multiple trail systems connect dispersed camping areas to hot springs and river access points. At Arizona Hot Springs, one visitor notes, "It's only a 6 mile round trip hike, make sure to bring plenty of water as it gets extremely hot in the canyon. A bathing suit and water shoes are highly encouraged as you will pass multiple hot springs."
Wildlife observation: The area hosts desert bighorn sheep and wild burros that frequently visit campsites. A camper at BLM dispersed camping west of Valley of Fire reported, "We saw Bighorn Sheep and got to explore Valley of Fire."
Desert solitude: Secluded camping spots away from crowds provide quiet nights under dark skies. At Pierce Ferry Rd Dispersed, a visitor described, "It's an absolutely beautiful spot with breathe taking views. So quiet and serene. There are no hookups, no restrooms, no showers. Just peace and quiet."
Elevated viewpoints: Mesa top sites offer panoramic views of Lake Mead and surrounding mountains. One camper at Snowbird Mesa mentioned, "Great spot when visiting the Valley of Fire. Tons of space to spread out large flat areas. It is windy!"
Accessible water recreation: Despite challenging access roads, lakefront camping remains popular. A visitor noted, "If you enter through the south or west side of the park you pay to get into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. If you drive through the north side of the park you will drive through the valley of fire state park which has its own entry fee."
Road quality varies drastically: Many access roads deteriorate significantly during wet weather. One camper at Kingman Wash shared, "Rough road in but larger rigs can make it without getting stuck if careful. Only issue is with the water so low the level stuff is way back."
Water levels affect camping experience: Falling lake levels have changed shoreline camping options. A camper explained, "Of course it was hot then, but that's perfect weather for me since I'm nude all the time when I travel, camp and hike. Water level was very low so access there was a hike."
Weekend crowding: Popular areas fill quickly Friday through Sunday. "Really fun spot, but don't get there later at night or it could be hard to get a spot. Super pretty to wake up and see in the morning though," one visitor reported about their experience.
Fire safety preparation: Bring proper containment equipment for campfires where permitted. A camper at Valley of Fire Dispersed noted, "There are some fire rings if you're interested," but many areas have seasonal fire restrictions.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential burro and coyote sightings. One camper warned, "Beware of coyotes lurking around fire rings looking for food!! I have two dogs that I take with me to run around, and swim and they love being able to play off of the leash."
Water access considerations: Plan for potentially long hikes to reach water during low lake levels. A visitor shared, "Hiking the few miles down from our campsite (dispersed) with a kayak on my back was not fun but it was worth it once you get down to the water."
Generator usage: Noise carries across open desert terrain, especially at night. One RVer noted, "Big sparse leveled area but kind of busy. On the other hand, busy all year round with people running their generators all night, be aware."
Terrain challenges: Many prime spots require high clearance vehicles. "You can manage easy with a 2 wheel drive vehicle. I parked right along the water but beware, there are lots of bugs," advised one experienced RVer.
Solar capability: The area receives abundant sunshine for solar power systems. "We outfitted our travel trailer with solar so we can RR at dispersed sites like this (free roam camping)," mentioned one solar-equipped camper, though they also warned it was "WINDY."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Temple Bar Marina, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Temple Bar Marina, AZ is Stewart’s Point Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Temple Bar Marina, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Temple Bar Marina, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
