Looking for the best campgrounds near Willow Beach, AZ? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Willow Beach, AZ. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"Great place to disperse Dry camp. Spots are scattered along the main road. You can camp close to the interstate or 3 miles away at the lake. The lake shore gets crowded."
"We took our camper van down to the water. About 3 miles on the dirt road. Some spots are bumpy but we made it without ever getting stuck. Beautiful view. Worth it."
"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."
"Great spots for rv Close to lake Lots of people fishing Road is graded with camping spots or drive further rough road wild spots"
"This is a beautiful spot to visit for the day, as there is no camping allowed by the water or the "boat ramp" but you can camp anywhere along the dirt road leading up to the lake."
"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."
"Along this gorgeous stretch of the Colorado River downstream of Hoover Dam, you will find numerous backcountry camping options on both the AZ and NV sides, many with existing fire rings."
"NPS allows about 2 dozen outfitters to rent you kayaks or canoes for guided or self-guided tours down Black Canyon south of Lake Mead (see NPS website for more info)."
"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 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."
LegendAlong this gorgeous stretch of the Colorado River downstream of Hoover Dam, you will find numerous backcountry camping options on both the AZ and NV sides, many with existing fire rings. In addition, you’ll find emerald green waters, hot springs/hot waterfalls, sauna cave, slot canyons and interesting features along the sides of the canyon. All camping is first-come, first-served and no permit is needed. Water can be filtered in an emergency, but it is the Colorado River; so we’d recommend bringing 1 gallon of fresh drinking water per person per day. Please Leave No Trace by bringing Wag Bags or other poop removal method, including your toilet paper.
**Weather & River Concerns: **
Note: If you’ve never done backcountry kayak camping, hire a guide or go with a group. There are numerous companies taking groups down the river each day.
TravelerGreat place to disperse Dry camp. Spots are scattered along the main road. You can camp close to the interstate or 3 miles away at the lake. The lake shore gets crowded. The road is bumpy but we saw cars all the way down to the lake. The sign recommends 4x4 high clearance vehicles. The mine road offers good views and a few camp spots. 4x4 is definitely recommended for this road. There is no garbage collection so pack it out. One vault toilet near the lake. Bring your own firewood. No trees for wood in this area. Wood can be purchased at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Campground Store. We spoted motor homers near the interstate, ground tenters, rooftop tenters, van campers and pull behind campers at the lake. We camped up the N Mine Road with our RTT trailer.
GuideWe couldn't get a spot inside Valley of Fire State Park so we decided to boondock on the BLM land outside the park. We knew there were plenty of spots but a lot were out in the open where everyone can see you. We wanted a bit of privacy and wanted to feel like we were out in nature not just parked in an empty desert. We decided to go searching for a better option and went down a dirt road, crossing our fingers. Lo and behold we found what we feel is a primo campsite! It's just outside the park of a dirt road. The coordinates are 36.413656-114.616805 and there's actually 2-3 spots back there. The first one is the easiest for bigger rigs or regular cars. The other two are up steep, sandy hills that are more suitable for a Jeep or ATV. There are rock fire pits(but be careful about fire restrictions) to designate the camping areas. It's private with hills all around. You can faintly hear the road and if you need better cell reception hike up one of the hills. It's a fantastic private spot that felt remote and special. The ONLY negative we encountered was trash. We did a sweep and picked up a lot of broken glass bottles, some aluminum cans, a bunch of bullet casings, and other trash. And nearby there's an old washer or dryer that someone dumped and used for target practice. We didn't clean that up because obviously, that's just too big. Anyway, the spot is so close to Valley of Fire you can just head on into the park for hiking and day use or head back out to the freeway for more supplies. For us, this spot was absolutely perfect and we had zero troubles, but I can imagine if it rains or shortly after it's been raining that this particular spot might be terrible. DO NOT CAMP HERE IF RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST.
TravelerWe took our camper van down to the water. About 3 miles on the dirt road. Some spots are bumpy but we made it without ever getting stuck. Beautiful view. Worth it.
LegendBeautiful area just outside of Laughlin, Nevada. Right on a Cove of Lake Mead. Four Mile unpaved Road to get down to the lake and anywhere between 15 to 20 camping spots depending on group size. Small boat launch for jet skis but not for bigger boats. Do not recommend trying to take anything bigger than a 35 ft RV down there. Two vault toilets and a garbage dumpster. Road is recently grated and other than a little bit of noise until 10:00 p.m., a great place for a night or several. Stay limit here is 7 days. I arrived Friday at 3:00 p.m. and found the last spot.
RangerThis place for sure needs a high clearance vehicle. We came in at night and was hard to tell what were spots and which ones were occupied. Road is very rough so ended up staying near the beginning of this road. No amenities here.
LegendWe stayed here on our way to the Hoover Dam and had a fine time. Nothing fancy, super basic free camping on public lands. Highlight was our visit to the dam itself
ScoutThe two spots are about 1.5 miles off the highway on a dirt road, you'll see a spot off the right on a narrow trail. BLM property. Free-roaming cows, didn't bother us at all. Beautiful sunset on our nights stay. The second spot is just around the first corner after the first one, less used, but probably flatter. Could hear the highway, but wasn't bothersome.
LegendWe stayed a bit closer to Valley of Fire than this spot, at 36.414344,-114.605350.
It's basically a big pullout along the road but it's fine for an overnight. After we got there two more vans pulled up later in the evening and there was plenty of room for everyone. 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. The spots down there aren't that great anyway, they're tiny and hilly.
But the whole area has plenty of boondock opportunities so check it out on Google Earth or satellite and proceed at your vehicle's ability. Great place to stay the night before heading into Valley of Fire.
Ok cell reception for both Verizon and att.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Willow Beach, Arizona, where stunning landscapes and serene waters await outdoor enthusiasts. This area offers a variety of options for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Willow Beach dispersed camping area?
Willow Beach dispersed camping area is a primitive camping experience with minimal amenities. Similar to Kingman Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area and other dispersed sites in the region, you'll find no developed facilities like running water, hookups, or permanent restrooms. Many spots have existing fire rings, but you should come fully self-contained with all necessary supplies including water, food, and waste disposal options. The area follows typical dispersed camping rules—pack in, pack out all trash and waste. A high-clearance vehicle may be recommended for accessing some of the more remote camping locations near the water, especially if road conditions are rough.
Where is Willow Beach located on Lake Mead?
Willow Beach is located on the Arizona side of the Colorado River, approximately 12 miles downstream from Hoover Dam within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It's situated in the scenic Black Canyon of the Colorado Dispersed — Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which stretches along the river between Arizona and Nevada. This area is part of the larger Lake Mead complex and provides water access for boating and fishing. The location offers a beautiful setting with emerald green waters and is accessible via Willow Beach Road off of US-93.
What scenic views can I photograph at Willow Beach?
Willow Beach offers stunning photography opportunities with its emerald green waters of the Colorado River contrasting against dramatic canyon walls. The area features breathtaking views similar to those at Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove, with beautiful lake coves and distant mountain vistas. Photographers can capture spectacular sunsets over the water, rugged desert landscapes, and the unique Black Canyon formations. The area also provides opportunities to photograph wildlife including desert bighorn sheep, various bird species, and potentially wild burros. For more diverse landscapes, nearby Valley of Fire BLM Dispersed Site offers additional dramatic rock formations and desert scenery within driving distance.
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