Boulder City camping areas range from 1,500 to 6,000 feet elevation, creating diverse temperature zones that impact camping comfort throughout the seasons. The surrounding Mojave Desert features rugged mountain terrain interspersed with desert scrub vegetation and occasional dense pine stands at higher elevations. Most campgrounds near Boulder City experience summer daytime temperatures exceeding 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking near water washes: Las Vegas Bay Campground has hiking trails that follow desert washes. "The campground is very close to the wash that comes from Lake Las Vegas. Lots of wildlife! Sites are small. RVs larger than 31 ft will have a hard time fitting," notes Bonnie C.
Desert overlook trails: At Mahogany Grove, you can access the Desert Overlook Trail. "This campground is close to the wonderful Desert Overlook Trail," shares T K. This trail offers expansive views of the surrounding desert landscape.
Kayaking quiet coves: Arrowhead Cove provides secluded water access. "Total privacy at this hidden beach on Lake Mead... perhaps in the summer as you're surrounded by that crystal clear water," reports Charlie C. The sheltered cove protects kayakers from wind and waves.
What campers like
Desert wildlife viewing: The desert ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. "We hear coyotes and owls at night. There are quail everywhere," shares Robin P. about Las Vegas Bay Campground.
Temperature escape: Hilltop Campground provides relief from summer heat. "Hilltop Campground is a great spot in the summer and fall to get out of the heat of the Las Vegas valley. The campground has tons of trees for shade and is at altitude, so is usually 20 degrees cooler than the valley itself," explains Christina S.
Clean facilities: Visitors appreciate the maintained bathrooms. "Restrooms, water on tap, and concrete benches are scattered throughout," notes Colette K. about Kyle Canyon Campground. "Flushing toilets and running water in the bathroom was nice. Beautiful sunset views, and the hills block all signs of civilization," adds Trevor J.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds have water. "Bring water and don't expect to use the bathroom. The bathrooms were locked and they didn't have water," Jennifer L. cautions about Hilltop Campground.
Fire restrictions: Fire rules change seasonally. "No fires allowed when I was there because of wildfire fears," explains a camper at Mahogany Grove. Check current restrictions before your trip.
Security considerations: Some campgrounds have mixed reviews regarding safety. "1/2 of the campers are folks passing through and either keep to themselves or are kind. 1/4 are homeless from Vegas, that kept to themselves," shares Imerie T. about Las Vegas Bay Campground.
Road conditions: Some areas require appropriate vehicles. "There is a sign at the entrance of Mead-Davis Powerline Rd that says 4x4 recommended... Take this to heart," warns Lyle F. about accessing Arrowhead Cove.
Tips for camping with families
Yurt camping options: Boulder City's nearby yurt accommodations provide family-friendly alternatives to tent camping. While traditional yurts are available, Glamping Adventures LV offers distinctive yurt-style structures with conveniences families appreciate.
Camp host assistance: Helpful camp hosts enhance the family camping experience. "Well the Camphost Bob is amazing," reports Imerie T. about Las Vegas Bay Campground. Camp hosts can provide local information and assistance.
Level sites: Families appreciate sites that accommodate easy tent setup. "The sites are very clean and level and the views are incredible. Plenty of shade trees to string a hammock," Logan R. notes about Hilltop Campground.
Kid-friendly wildlife: Children enjoy spotting desert animals. "Quail are everywhere. Close to the water and it's peacefully quiet," mentions Robin P. about Las Vegas Bay Campground. Morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Many sites cannot accommodate larger RVs. "We have site 23 - very shaded and 'green' - site 24 (not ours) was very open to the desert," shares Amy G. about Las Vegas Bay Campground.
Dump station access: Callville Bay RV Park provides convenient services. "Cost for RV as of Feb 2022 was only $29.38 for full hookups. Only about 9-10 sites are available for RVs and reservations are required," explains Greg L. This makes it a good stop for emptying tanks before or after dry camping elsewhere.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites away from roads for quieter camping. "I stayed in Spot 1, which is nice if you want to be a little secluded, but I did have a lot of traffic noise when trucks or loud motorcycles came by," explains Denny B. about Hilltop Campground.
