Happy Trails Campground is the primary equestrian camping destination in the Temple Bar Marina area of Arizona, with wide, level sites for trailers and accessible riding terrain. Located approximately 10 minutes from Lake Mead, the facility can accommodate various party sizes with full hookup RV sites, tent camping, and cabins for visitors seeking comfort after trail riding. The campground doesn't have dedicated corrals, so riders should bring portable containment systems for their horses.
What to do
Desert exploration with ATVs: The terrain around Happy Trails Campground offers extensive riding opportunities on miles of trails suitable for both ATVs and horses. "Hiking for miles atv trails everwhere you turn. We had a blast. Owners and staff where helpful and informative," notes Teresa M., who appreciated the variety of terrain.
Lake Mead recreation: The lake sits just 10 minutes from Happy Trails Campground, providing water-based activities to complement trail riding. At Las Vegas Bay Campground, campers can access additional Lake Mead shorelines. "We love camping at Las Vegas Bay campground at Lake Mead. The campground is very close to the wash that comes from Lake Las Vegas. Lots of wildlife!!" according to Bonnie C.
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates prime conditions for night sky viewing. "Beautiful views and very peaceful. Excellent for star gazing!" reports Aimee K. about Happy Trails Campground. Another camper at Las Vegas Bay notes that "the hills block all signs of civilization. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though you are 20 minutes from Vegas."
What campers like
Large, spacious sites: Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash provides ample room for groups with horses or recreational vehicles. "We love coming here because it is not usually busy and we like our own quiet space. There's also a lot of room for the dogs to run around," explains Michael B.
Family-run atmosphere: The welcoming environment at Happy Trails Campground stands out to visitors. "I was greeted promptly by Scarlet, the 12-year-old boss. So cute! A small family run diamond in the rough RV park was such a pleasant surprise," shares Mark B., who stayed for five nights.
Landscape diversity: The surrounding terrain combines desert vistas with water access. Campers at Road Runner Cove appreciate the unique setting. "This place is hard to get to but worth it. It's very isolated and secluded and it surrounded by trees. If you can make it you can camp and have A whole lake to yourself. Huge fish everywhere and cliffs to jump from," reports Overland Pioneer.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many dispersed camping areas requires careful driving. Eight Mile Dispersed Camping has "wide dusty washboard road to access, 2-3 miles. Dumpsters at top by Northshore hwy but nothing later, no toilets or other facilities," according to Greg L. Similarly, Gold Butte National Monument camping areas require traversing rough terrain: "The road in is really rough (and gets rougher the further in you go), but the camping is nice."
Cell reception: Signal strength varies significantly across the region. Eight Mile Road has "half to full cell service/wifi all the way to the water" according to one camper, while at Gold Butte National Monument, "Cell service is sporadic--typically have to climb a mountain/hill if you need reception."
Limited facilities: Most equestrian camping sites near Temple Bar Marina have minimal amenities. At Eight Mile Dispersed Camping, "there is a dumpster at the front but no bathroom or other facilities." Similarly, at Gold Butte National Monument, there are "no amenities besides a couple Port-o-Potties in the Whitney Pocket area."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Happy Trails Campground offers more structured camping with necessary amenities for families with children. "Has showers, nice hosts, and nice areas for camping," notes Elisa P., making it suitable for first-time campers or those with younger children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe desert wildlife throughout the region. At Las Vegas Bay Campground, "quail are everywhere. Close to the water and it's peacefully quiet," according to Robin P. Parents should maintain awareness of coyotes, which are active in many camping areas.
Swimming access points: Whitney Pockets provides good desert camping with access to recreation areas. For water activities, Road Runner Cove offers swimming with "huge fish everywhere and cliffs to jump from," though access requires careful navigation of rough roads.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Las Vegas Bay Campground offers designated camping for different RV needs. "There is a no generator section meant for tents, but we didn't stay there as it seemed fully booked so I picked an RV/tent site at the far end," reports Amy G. Sites vary in shade and exposure to elements.
Level parking considerations: Many dispersed camping sites require careful positioning. At Eight Mile Dispersed Camping, you can camp with "any size RV so long as you find a level spot to park." Happy Trails Campground offers "HUGE rv spaces big enough for our rig, boat and atvs" according to Teresa M.
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Las Vegas Bay campers report temperatures of "Low 70s during the day and maybe 59 at the coldest part of the night" during spring camping. Always bring sufficient water as most dispersed horse campgrounds near Temple Bar Marina have no water sources.
