Sean Y.
Scout
ScoutIllipah Reservoir Recreation Area
Quick, easy, and cheap
I stopped here on my way from Tahoe to Salt Lake City. It's a big area with lots of sites. There were only 2-3 other occupied sites so no pesky neighbors.
Best Camping in Nevada: Desert Sites, Mountain Campgrounds & Free BLM Land
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Nevada's diverse camping landscape spans from full-service RV resorts in Las Vegas to remote dispersed camping in the high desert, covering more than 500 campgrounds and campsites across the state. Atlatl Rock Campground at Valley of Fire State Park offers established sites with electric hookups and modern amenities, while Lovell Canyon provides free dispersed camping in more primitive settings. The region includes a mix of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, state parks, and private campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several locations offering year-round access despite Nevada's extreme temperature variations.
Road quality varies considerably throughout Nevada's camping areas, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Most established campgrounds like Cathedral Gorge State Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area maintain paved access roads, while backcountry camping often involves navigating unmarked dirt roads. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F at lower elevations, while mountain campgrounds offer relief with temperatures 20-30 degrees cooler. Fire restrictions are common during the dry summer months, particularly in desert areas. A visitor noted, "Roughly 30 minutes from the main highway, tucked away in a canyon past some quarry work and ranch land. Roads in the campsite are slightly overgrown, but 4WD should not be needed though consider high clearance."
Campers consistently mention Nevada's dramatic landscape views as a primary attraction across various sites. Those seeking solitude appreciate dispersed camping options like Water Canyon Recreation Area, which provides a more secluded experience than developed campgrounds. Valley of Fire and Cathedral Gorge receive particularly high ratings for their striking geological features. Several reviewers highlighted the contrast between daytime heat and comfortable evening temperatures at higher elevations. A camper described one mountain location: "Visited June 22nd it was 110 in the city but up here at 7700 feet it was a nice 85-90 during the day and a cool 65-70 at night." Many Nevada campgrounds also feature minimal light pollution, creating exceptional stargazing opportunities throughout the state.
Best Camping Sites in Nevada (499)
1. Atlatl Rock Campground — Valley of Fire State Park
93 ReviewsOverton, NVWebsite+1 (702) 397-2088$10 / night
"The fee system feels a little confusing but it's basically $15 park entrance fee, $10 more dollars to camp, and another $10 for hookups (50&30&20 power and water only, free dump and water (and"
"Next time we are in Nevada we will be back here!"
2. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Red Rock Campground
75 ReviewsBlue Diamond, NVWebsite+1 (702) 515-5387$12 - $80 / night
"Summer time might not be the best time to try to camp in southern Nevada but with mild fall and winter this campsite leaves a lot of options for those looking for an outdoor adventure."
"We had our own toilet, was clean, there are no showers but water was available by a tap outside. Abundant Parking."
3. Boulder Beach Campground — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
70 ReviewsHenderson, NVWebsite+1 (702) 293-8906$20 / night
"Being Nevada it was pretty hot and humid next to the lake, but it was actually a good place to camp with plenty of birds, nice flowers and easy access to the lake for swimming, boating, and such."
"Took my kids and my mom camping for a little vacation away from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. I chose Boulder Beach campground as it was our first time and didn't want to be too far from home."
4. Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain)
60 ReviewsBlue Diamond, NVWebsite+1 (702) 515-5000"It's a beautifully rugged area, lots of pull of camp sites spread around. Can be busy and harder to find spots, but further back should have spots."
"Quiet, secluded spot between Las Vegas and Pahrump Nevada. First come, first served but it was very quiet when we were there."
5. Water Canyon Recreation Area
49 ReviewsWinnemucca, NVWebsite+1 (775) 623-1500"Sites are well layed out and sit right next to a small creek. Nice play to stay when driving through Nevada."
"This was a roadside pull off close to a little stream. The road was busy throughout the night and morning. I arrived at 10:30pm and got one of the last two spots on a weekday."
6. Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort
43 ReviewsHenderson, NVWebsite+1 (702) 260-2000"Oasis is a great location to spend a night or two if you want to jaunt into Vegas for bit. It’s also very central as an overnight for heading into Utah or Nevada from SoCal."
"This place is an Oasis, away from the hustle and bustle. Refill propane on-site. The only negative thing is they do not provide valet trash pickup(as mentioned by a staff member)."
7. Welcome Station RV Park
37 ReviewsWells, NVWebsite+1 (775) 752-2736$25 - $42 / night
"Compared to the surround areas, this place was truly an oasis in the desert as others have said. The hosts were super nice."
"In the middle of the Nevada desert along I80, there's a nice RV oasis for a stopover for travelers. "
8. Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam's Town
41 ReviewsHenderson, NVWebsite+1 (702) 454-8055"During our recent trip to Las Vegas, we chose to stay at KOA Sam's Town, and our experience was positive overall."
"Sorry tent campers Nevada doesn’t allow us!!! So make sure you are prepared for a different option such as lake mead or red rock."
9. Upper Campground - Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
37 ReviewsAlamo, NVWebsite+1 (775) 725-3417"Stopped here short of intended destination due to lateness of the hour and long drive. Great sites along the lake with tables and fire rings and fireplaces."
"We got in on a Thursday night right around 6:30 pm."
10. Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground
35 ReviewsPanaca, NVWebsite+1 (775) 728-4460$10 - $25 / night
"One of the best hidden gems in Nevada! Great camping with clean restrooms and well maintained campgrounds. Plenty of good trails nooks and crannies to explore. Highly recommended!!"
"Nice little campground located in the Cathedral Gorge State Park in Eastern central Nevada. Sites are first come first serve. Each has Electrical hook ups, but no sewer/dump facilities."
Recent Camping Photos in Nevada
511 Photos of 499 Nevada Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Tamarack BeachG
Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Squirrel Springs Campsites — Great Basin National Park
Crawdad Cove Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Schellraiser
Sloan Canyon - Dispersed Camping
Ely KOA
Longstreet Inn Casino & RV Resorta
Guadalupe's State Line Nevada/California Camp Ground
Desert National Wildlife Range
Recent Reviews in Nevada
3083 Reviews of 499 Nevada Campgrounds
- DDiane V.
TravelerWater Canyon Recreation Area
Lovely quiet canyon
This place was a hidden gem! Several sites exist up two miles of canyon and options for pull in and back in exist. The little creek was barely running in early september, but looks like a decent amoumt of water runs in rainy season. The gravel road was fine for calling our trailer and there are well maintained pit toilets and picnic tables. We even saw a small herd of antelope! Some of the sites require a bit of leveling, so make sure have what you need. We would definitely state again!
- RRobert P.Traveler
Spencer Hot Springs
Nice hot spring and tons of parking
Upon arriving I was quite amazed at how large the area is and how easy it was to get my RV in. The first spring is but only about 40 yd from where I camped which is super convenient. After talking to some people, I found that there are about four of them all nearby. I found one that was perfect. Good cell service and not too many people on a Sunday. Met some really nice people. There were some burrows out here that were pretty cool. Weather was very nice in May, and the road wasn't too bad.
The Toquima cave petroglyphs are about 10 miles further. It's a little bit of a hike to get up to it, but certainly worth it.
For those of you coming here, I highly recommend you get gas and groceries somewhere other than Austin. The prices were extremely high. A dollar more a gallon for gas than anywhere else I've been and beer was twice as expensive as I've ever seen.
- RRobert P.Traveler
Virgin Valley Campground
What a nice gem in the middle of nowhere
The camp area is larger than it appears when you drive in. So if you go here, if you veer to the left, there's a huge area and straight ahead or to the right are some really nice areas as well. All well within walking distance to the warm springs which I found to be quite refreshing. There were a lot of minnows in it that tickled quite a bit while sitting there, but it was pretty cool. There some private property outbuildings which still have a few items dating back to probably the '50s. My dog had fun chasing rabbits out in the sagebrush but no lizards were seen. However, it is only April and not hot outside. There's a couple of opal mines that one can pay for to try and find some but there are also areas where one can find them. Just scavenging the ground. In the evening, the melody of variety of birds singing were amazing.
- AAleksandar T.Scout
Hickison Petroglyph
Great Little Gem
Campground is places in a beautiful natural setting. It has a very clean kept vated toilet facility, no showers or running water. Prepare accordingly. Beautiful few hikes around with great views. Depends on what demographics stops in here it can be noisy if the campers are disrespectful.
- RRuby M.
Guideupper Lehman campground
Well spaced sites
Would definitely Not recommend anything over 20ft. Some spots have more level parking for vehicle camping. Separate areas for tents and picnic tables. 1 bar on Verizon. Site 9 was tight for my campervan and right next to the bathroom.
Bob D.TravelerWard Mtn. Campground (murray Summit)
Ward Mtn Camping
Stayed in spot 11 in our 24 Ford Ranger with Lone Peak pop up tent camper. Temps were mid low 50s to 80s in August. Perfect little hideaway with pinion and other pine trees for privacy. Very clean and well kept campground. Spots are well spaced out. Hiking/mountain bike trails everywhere which become cross-country ski trails in winter. Ely is about 10 miles north. Not many people live here (5000 maybe) so services are limited and expensive. Only 2 grocery stores and 3 gas stations available. The well pump went out during our stay. Luckily we always bring our own water. Restrooms are Vault type and very clean, considering! It's on our list of will visit again!
- DDan M.Guide
King's Row RV Park
Place to stop in Vegas with hookups
Easy in and out. Quiet. Clean shower.
Brian C.ScoutLoves RV Hookups Carlin NV
This is a truck stop rv spot
Typical loves rv camp. There are 5 full hook up sites. They are nice and level.
Guide to Nevada
Camping in Nevada offers a unique experience with stunning landscapes and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a place to explore, Nevada has something for everyone.
What to do
- Explore Nature: Check out the beautiful scenery at Clark Park. One camper mentioned, “Located just around the corner from a full service Maverick truck stop, this quiet RV Park is a convenient stop along I80.”
- Hiking and Wildlife Watching: At Mill Creek Recreation Area, you can enjoy walking around the lake and spotting local wildlife. A visitor noted, “Was nice to walk the lake & hang out on the dock.”
- Hot Springs: Don’t miss the chance to soak at Spencer Hot Springs. One reviewer said, “Beautiful views and love the Burro visits at dusk.”
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Bob Scott Campground stated, “Flush toilets, some shade, BBQ grills and picnic tables.”
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of places like Hickison Petroglyph. One camper shared, “Good for 2 days. Trash, and pit toilets available. Free for 14 days.”
- Convenient Locations: Campgrounds like Austin RV Park are appreciated for their accessibility. A visitor mentioned, “Convenient and cheap in the middle of Nevada.”
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Mill Creek Recreation Area, lack drinking water and electric hookups. A camper noted, “Showers had hot water but were kinda gross.”
- Seasonal Access: Certain campgrounds, such as Big Creek Campground, are only open from May 15 to November 1. One reviewer said, “Gets busy on holiday weekends but decent during the week.”
- Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Spencer Hot Springs mentioned, “We woke up to the sound of wild burrows and coyotes.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like East Campground — South Fork State Recreation Area that have amenities for kids. A reviewer said, “Plenty of space for the kids to run around and bike around the campsite.”
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. One camper at Coyote Cove noted, “The area offers opportunities for water sports of all kinds.”
- Pack Snacks and Drinks: Since some campgrounds lack markets, it’s smart to bring your own food. A visitor at Bob Scott Campground mentioned, “Water is listed as non-potable.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to verify if the campground has electric hookups. A reviewer at Clark Park said, “The sewer, water, electricity and cable TV hookups are all in great working order.”
- Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some RV parks, like Austin RV Park, have tight parking. One camper noted, “Tight parking spaces. Full hook up.”
- Consider Off-Peak Times: To avoid crowds, try camping during the week. A visitor at Big Creek Campground shared, “Gets busy on holiday weekends but decent during the week.”
Camping in Nevada can be a fantastic adventure if you know what to expect and plan accordingly!
Frequently Asked Questions
What desert camping options are available in Nevada?
What desert camping options are available in Nevada?
Nevada's desert landscape offers numerous camping opportunities across the state. Front Sight Campground provides a massive flat area for dispersed camping on BLM land, though campers should be aware of the adjacent active gun range. Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping offers a remote desert experience with views of snow-capped mountains and marshes where wildlife like white pelicans can be observed. For those seeking amenities in the desert, RV resorts like Desert Skies in Mesquite provide full hookups with spacious sites. Other desert camping options include Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, Lovell Canyon for cooler high-desert camping, and numerous BLM lands throughout the state that allow free dispersed camping with varying levels of accessibility.
Where are the best places to camp in Nevada?
Where are the best places to camp in Nevada?
Nevada offers diverse camping experiences across the state. For those seeking an escape from Las Vegas heat, Fletcher View provides cooler temperatures just 40 minutes from the city, with temperatures ranging from 64°F at night to 78°F during the day. Water enthusiasts will appreciate Government Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which offers beautiful waterfront dispersed camping, fishing opportunities, and scenic sunsets. Other notable options include Valley of Fire State Park for dramatic red rock formations, Cathedral Gorge for unique erosional features, and Big Creek Campground near Austin for creek-side camping surrounded by aspens. Nevada's camping options range from developed campgrounds with amenities to remote dispersed sites on public lands, providing something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.
What are the differences between northern Nevada camping and other regions?
What are the differences between northern Nevada camping and other regions?
Northern Nevada camping differs significantly from the southern region in several key aspects. In northern Nevada, Humboldt National Forest Angel Creek Campground represents the more mountainous terrain and forested landscapes typical of the region. These higher-elevation campgrounds offer relief from summer heat and showcase aspen groves and creek-side settings. Big Creek Campground near Austin exemplifies this with its location in a beautiful canyon filled with aspens. Northern Nevada generally experiences cooler temperatures and more seasonal variation than the southern desert regions. While southern Nevada camping often centers around Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, and desert landscapes with year-round accessibility, northern sites may close seasonally due to snow. The north also offers more opportunities for creekside camping, wildlife viewing, and fall foliage experiences compared to the stark desert beauty of southern Nevada.
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