A dry lakebed in the Nevada high desert, Bonnie Clair Lakebed sits at roughly 4,020 feet elevation on BLM land managed by the Tonopah Field Office. The clay surface is flat and open, and campers can drive across most of it freely. That openness is the defining characteristic here: no designated sites, no hookups, no water source on-site. Bring everything in, including drinking water and firewood if you plan to use the single stone fire ring that previous campers have built up.
Star visibility is the main draw. Multiple visitors describe arriving to find the lakebed empty, and on clear, moonless nights the dark skies are a genuine standout. Dan notes it's "fantastic for star gazing" and that Verizon signal fades toward the back of the lakebed, so plan accordingly. Crowd levels vary: most spring visitors report having the place to themselves, while at least one summer visitor found it noisy with other groups present.
Weather is a practical concern worth noting. The clay lakebed can become difficult to navigate after rain, and a wet surface could complicate departure. Cell coverage is partial at best. Navigation also warrants attention since Google Maps has reportedly routed drivers past the correct turnoff. The GPS coordinates N37.17083, W117.15278 are more reliable for finding the entrance. Campers exploring campgrounds near Beatty will find this one well off the main road. The nearby Bonnie Claire Gold Mill Ghost Town Camping and Star Gazing provides a different experience just a few miles northeast for campers wanting more structure.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBonnie Clair Lakebed is located in Nevada near Beatty
Coordinates
37.17114563 N
117.1520067 W
Connectivity
T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/31/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/19/26
AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/31/26
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/31/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/19/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/31/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Bonnie Clair Lakebed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 8 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 5 hrs 30 min from Visalia, CA
- 5 hrs 38 min from Hanford, CA
- 6 hrs from Fresno, CA
