The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campground location near Mount Charleston, Nevada
Camper submitted image from Mt. Charleston DispersedView 28 Photos
RoadsMap showing campground location near Mount Charleston, Nevada

Mt. Charleston Dispersed

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Rising to 11,916 feet, Mt. Charleston Peak is the most prominent mountain in Nevada and the anchor point for this dispersed camping area within Toiyabe National Forest. Access is hike-in or walk-in only, and the rough approach filters out casual visitors. No developed sites, no water sources, and no hookups mean campers need to arrive fully self-sufficient.

The terrain shifts noticeably with elevation. One route starts near Pahrump on Wheeler Pass Road, a desert drive that transitions into pine forest as elevation climbs. Reviewers consistently note the temperature drops roughly 20 degrees compared to the Las Vegas valley, a meaningful factor for summer trips. Cell service is unreliable across much of the mountain, so downloading maps and trail data in advance is worth the effort. Those who hike further in find fewer other campers, open sightlines toward surrounding ridgelines, and opportunities for stargazing after dark.

Campfires are allowed but subject to seasonal restrictions, so checking the Forest Service website before a trip is essential. Snow closes portions of the mountain from January through March, and some areas remain gated well into spring. Pets are permitted. "A beautiful desert drive that ends in pines," noted Whitney W., describing the approach from the west. Fall brings visible foliage change across the slopes. Campers who prefer a developed site with amenities can look at McWilliams Campground or Dolomite Campground, both a few miles northeast, or browse camping near Mount Charleston for additional options in the area.

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Loneliest Road Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Road Trip Segment: Delta to West Sacramento

Delta to West Sacramento: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsMt. Charleston Dispersed is located in Nevada near Mount Charleston

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Address

2525 Kyle Canyon Rd
Mt Charleston, NV

Coordinates

36.27346456 N
115.7135344 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

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 Mt. Charleston Dispersed needs a permit.

Try PRO for Free

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Nevada Contest

Enter to Win

Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Mt. Charleston Dispersed

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

75%
13%
12%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the stunning mountain scenery and peaceful atmosphere away from crowds. Guests frequently mentioned the complete lack of amenities requiring full self-sufficiency and 4x4 access for best results.

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2022

Well kept, good roads

Headed to the mountains from Hoover dam to get away from heat, about an hour drive. Don’t know if it’s usual, but was extremely windy, but dropped 40° by the time we got there.

Site#4
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by adelia , June 17, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2021

Perfect getaway from the 110+ degree heat

Charleston is always the go-to during summer, as it’s 20 degrees cooler than it’s surrounding area. Dispersed camping is great - no utilities of course, but very quiet, not many other campers, and a great place for stargazing. We even saw a mule walking around in the morning. Forgot my trekking poles to set up as tent poles, but luckily, Charleston is one of the few places in NV with literal trees. Can be around a 20 min drive to whatever trails you’re interested in.

Sitedispersed camping near highway 156
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by DeAnna E., August 3, 2021
Reviewed May. 20, 2021

Mt.Charleston

Mt.Charleston was a beautiful and little windy last week. We camp at McWilliams 🏕 camp ground. A lovely evening with my wife.

SiteMcWilliams Camp Ground
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Cedric S., May 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Cedric S., May 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Cedric S., May 20, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 20, 2021

Time of year = important

September = BEAUTIFUL Jan-March = too much snow to enjoy, if you can even find a spot that isn’t closed. 1/2 the mountain shuts down when there’s too much snow, so just plan accordingly. You can see tons of leaves changing in the fall. Campgrounds are good, but make sure you have everything you need before you get up there. The visitor center isn’t much and your pretty far from any other store.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Sadie B., April 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Sadie B., April 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Sadie B., April 20, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 1, 2021

Stunning

If you can hike to it well than you can camp in it. The further you go the more stunning it is. If you hike far enough you can end up near Lovell canyon. Everything here is amazing and nice and cool.

Here are my star ratings based on my lifestyle and what I like. I'm also a mother, dog mama, and a wife so it's not just me it's my crew and i. 1 star- AUTOMATIC relocate… the property is no longer there, trashed or/and I could never have my children there and I wouldn't ever think about staying no matter what. 2 star- Not really my jam, and would NEVER go to again… It probably more of desert life and not really my style for sure…Being from Vegas I can't stand being in the desert and I love the Trees and the Green more than anything. 3 star- Would stay there again in a pinch, but not really my style, the reason its not is because not enough family things to do, the scenery, or the location… but I would go again and feel safe having my kiddos here but only if I needed to in a pinch. 4 star- a really good rating for sure, maybe needed some improvements, minor things like being on top of each other, not a lot of privacy, but honestly little cosmetic things that aren't anything to sweat and would be back again for sure. 5 star- MY FAVORITE… love the location, safety, the surroundings, big camp spots available to fit toys for my kids to play, hammocks to hang, our big family tent, cases of firewood, our suburban or RV, etcccccc….. I would not only come back but would live if I could!!! Anyway thanks for reading and enjoy every moment like it's your last! CHEERS!

  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Brittney C., April 1, 2021
  • Play button icon
  • Play button icon
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Jun. 27, 2020

Come prepared

Mt. Charleston overall is a nice play to visit for the day to get away from the Las Vegas heat. As far as dispersed camping, come supplied and be ready to be self-sufficient. There are no natural water sources for extra water, no cell service in most areas, and no services outside of the small town on the main road. I prefer Mt. Charleston more as a day trip than an overnight trip. The hiking is great, but there is not much else to do beyond hiking. It does get snow in the winter time, which is a plus. There is skiing and places to go sledding in the winter.

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2019

Wallace Canyon Rd

Started in Parump on Wheeler Pass Road and headed up Northeast until the Wallace Canyon Road turnoff. Beautiful desert drive that ends in pines. Saw close to ten mule deer off the road. Could probably make it was 2wd but better off having 4x4 with decent clearance.

  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Whitney W., August 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Whitney W., August 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Whitney W., August 16, 2019
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2018

Uphill battle that leads to AMAZING VIEWS

My friend and I decided to hike Mt Charleston Peak in order to train for hiking Machu Picchu. Here’s a breakdown of the hike: 17 miles | 11,916 ft elevation | 8,241 ft prominence | Highest peak in Southern Nevada | 8th most prominent mountain in the U.S. | Most prominent mountain in Nevada. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

In terms of camping, we decided to avoid the crowds, and camp on our way back, along the trail. Primitive/ dispersed camping available. Fire is allowed depending on the season, so check their website before hand. Pack-in-pack-out type camp.

  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Alex B., September 21, 2018
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Alex B., September 21, 2018
  • Review photo of Mt. Charleston Dispersed by Alex B., September 21, 2018
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best dispersed camping locations around Mount Charleston?

Popular dispersed camping locations around Mount Charleston include areas accessed via Wheeler Pass Road from Pahrump, continuing northeast until the Wallace Canyon Road turnoff. This beautiful desert drive transitions into pine forests. Another option is to venture toward Lovell Canyon for more remote camping experiences. For those willing to hike in, there are stunning dispersed sites deeper in the mountain area. The higher elevations provide cooler temperatures (about 20 degrees lower than surrounding areas), making Mt. Charleston a popular summer escape from Las Vegas heat.

What are the GPS coordinates for popular campsites on Mt. Charleston?

Specific GPS coordinates for individual dispersed campsites on Mt. Charleston are not systematically documented. Most dispersed camping areas are found along Wheeler Pass Road heading northeast toward the Wallace Canyon Road turnoff. For safety, it's recommended to scout potential sites during daylight hours and note their coordinates personally. Be prepared with paper maps as cell service is limited throughout the area. Contact the local Forest Service office before your trip for the most current information on accessible dispersed camping areas.

What facilities and amenities are available at Mt. Charleston campgrounds?

Mt. Charleston dispersed camping areas have no facilities or amenities - visitors must be completely self-sufficient. There are no natural water sources, no trash services, and no restrooms in the dispersed areas. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most locations. The established campgrounds like McWilliams offer more amenities, but dispersed campers should bring all necessary supplies including extra water, food, and waste disposal bags. The area provides excellent stargazing opportunities and wildlife viewing (including mule deer) but requires proper preparation for a true backcountry experience.

Keep Exploring