Boxcar Cove Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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As a budget travel blogger, you can’t beat a good find of a site. I tend to stray away from boondock camping because it isn’t really designed for the every day tent camper that I am looking to inspire to go on the road and try something new. Though I like primitive sites and will often do some back country camping, I also take into account that my followers don’t always. But this site was a bit different and made it worth checking out for my blog.

Free Camping usually doesn’t come with a functioning bathroom, but this one does along with lake access. So what is the kicker?? There has to be one right?

The first catch is free is only truly free if you have a National Park Pass, otherwise there is a day use fee which is charged as you enter the Lake Mead area. I have mine, so that means it was in fact free!! One of the only times this pass actually guarantees you any kind of camping related benefits.

The other, the road to the campsite is a little sketchy at times. When I went it was post a good rain which had settled a lot of the dust and while I was afraid it would have ruts from people driving out, it wasn’t bad, just a little washboard feeling. In a small car that carries very little weight I usually find these roads to shake and rattle me all over, however it was minimal so I made it down to the camping area.

This area is available to both tent and RV campers and is pretty open for those wanting to stay. When I was there I noticed there was no shortage of space available to me and I could select pretty much anywhere I want to be so I determined I would set up for my short daycation away from a couple of RVs which seemed to be traveling together.

I noticed that there were no other campers in tents but later after settling in and meeting my neighbors they told me there had been and those people had been a bit more noisy. I was happy to know that the RV group there wasn’t in that same mind set so it was going to be an enjoyable quiet time.

The outdoor space here is really nice. The beach is a mixed beach of harder sands and shells from when the lake used to be much higher and had a lot more life in the area. There are hiking areas all over Lake Mead so this is a great place to set your basecamp and move forward with adventures.

TIPS:

*   Bring a car if you are in an RV so you can disconnect and move around the entire Lake Mead area more easily. You can also look into a smaller motor bike, however these are not permitted in all areas.
*   Bring batteries since there is no power you will want to make sure you have lots of batteries for your lanterns and flashlights, this is a true dark space at night.
*   Get Your America The Beautiful Pass!! This is a park pass which allows you access to all national parks and recreation areas for one calendar year. They do have senior and military passes available as well but the standard pass is $80 a year. If you travel to even a couple parks you have more than paid for it in savings as it doesn't just allow you personally access but up to 4 people in your car!

Who doesn't like a FREE Campsite... But read the fine print!

I really hate to do a review of this spot as it will bring in more people here, but this spot is absolutely beautiful, we are right on the lake, kiddos are swimming every day all day, the 80° temperature is cooled by the lake breezes. We have been visited by coyotes, a great egret, roadrunners and numerous other crawling creatures. I'm glad I took the chance driving the 2.5 mile washboard road to reach this little section of paradise. 

Amazing lakeside spot

Beautiful spot amazing views and cold clear water...such a relaxing place. Sprinter van made it in n out no issues.

Beautiful place

We just finished up a five day stay over Thanksgiving weekend.  The weather was cold and rainy the first couple of days but warmed up afterwards to a beautiful finish.

The views are just gorgeous, camping is available right even down to the beach. We camped about 100 yards from the beach.  Lots of camping spaces available, it is primitive camping. Most of the area is fairly flat. It is a bit Sandy so be careful but we didn’t have a problem getting our fifth wheel toy hauler down there.  Keep in mind if you’re going to be operating ATVs of any type they do need to be street legal and insured.  There are tons of trails that take you all over. Super fun riding and lots of great views.

If you’re a lightweight camper you can take any of those trails and find yourself a super remote place to camp. I wouldn’t recommend pulling a larger trailer on them though. I would stick to the main road and camping areas if you’ve got a trailer that’s anything more than a single axle. 

Beautiful and ugly

I’m surprised that not many people know about this place. You don’t need off road to get here but it’s recommended. Perfect for all water toys. I even caught a huge fish. 

The sunset is beautiful

The cove is nice and away from main road. The beach was a little crowded so we went about five minutes to the left and found several secluded coves and a nice small beach. Good place to camp and fish.

Cove about five minutes walk from beach. 

Close to Las Vegas remote but fairly popular area to camp and enjoy all the lake has to offer. Parts of this area used to be underwater when the lake was higher.  There’s a well-kept vault toilet on the dirt road that leads to the water. The road was well graded and had no trouble taking our Corolla to our campsite.  Lots of RVs, tent camping, fishing, kayakers and other small water craft.  There seemed to be less coyote activity here than in the pay site campground on the other side of Las Vegas Bay. 

Lakeside camping

Free camping!! Horrible roads!!! Trash cans right when you pull in so that’s nice and a bathroom about half way down and if your at the water and. 10 minute drive to the bathroom. So overall a nice place to camp. Plenty of little areas to get some privacy or pull over and make it your spot! It’s dispersed so the choice is yours. Also today it was not packed a few cars down by the water so I can see this place filling up within the next few weeks all the way until the end of summer. It’s hot and it’s early April so make sure you pack plenty of water and food. Don’t forget your sunblock. If you have a 4x4 you can go explore a few other places that I’m sure are a bit more
Private. 

Oh I screen shotted my location, it shows we are in the water it’s actually desert and it’s the road down to the cove. 

Rough roads

Great place even on a holiday weekend. This is one cove east of crawdad cove. A little longer off a wash board drive but much nicer area and easier access to the lake.

Great place

We came and camped here two weekends in a row. It's a great spot, however two rangers showed up and told us that any kind of camping is no longer allowed. There is a little sign at the beginning of the road that says no camping that we missed 🤦‍♀️

No longer available for camping.

As of visit Feb 2022, the NPS seems to have posted a small no camping sign at the top of the main road by the hwy...easy to miss if you are used to this area for camping...like last year!  Guess this is a day use area now and applies to both Crawdad cove and Boxcar cove dispersed areas. Bummer.

No dispersed camping allowed 2.2022

If inconsiderate JA visitors would stop leaving therir trash behind, it would be a cool spot. 

Photos of Boxcar Cove Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers