If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Indian Springs, look no further. The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
A large part of the Spring Mountains is remote and undeveloped. Visitors can venture out and set up camp in these remote areas with just a little planning from the guidelines below The best known areas in the Spring Mountains include Mack's Canyon, Champion Road, and Lovell Canyon but those can get crowded in warm weather. Dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive or hike out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot with a nice view or good shade. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed outside a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 100 feet from any stream or spring. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway. How to Pick a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines. - Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damage or killing plants and grass. Do NOT camp within 100 feet of any water source, as plants near water are especially fragile. - Do not camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow; try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting - Do not try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Pick a tent site that is already level with good drainage. Going to the Bathroom in the Woods Dispersed camping means no bathrooms and no outhouses. That means extra care has to be taken in disposing of human waste. To dispose of feces, dig a hole six (6) inches deep at least 100 feet away from any water source. When you are done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. A ziplock bag is helpful for this. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground since it could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it. Treating Your Water We used to be able to take a cup and drink directly out of the sparkling creek, a rushing waterfall, or a clear, deep lake. There is NO safe water source anymore. With an increasing population and visitation to the Spring Mountains, water sources have been contaminated with invisible micro-organisms that can make people very ill and even kill them in some cases. Giardia is a common contamination that has been spread through improper toileting and wild animals to many water sources. It will cause diarrhea, cramping, and other physical problems. The only way to ensure that water from any undeveloped source is safe is to treat it. That means heating it until it comes to a rolling boil, using water purification tablets or a water purification filter. Water from faucets in developed recreation areas has been tested and treated and is safe to use without treating.
$50 / night
Over 50 miles of maintained trails wind through the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, along with 4 campgrounds, 7 picnic areas, and remote areas for dispersed camping.
Dispersed camping allows you to “get away from it all.” Peace, solitude and adventure are some of the advantages to choosing an undeveloped campsite. Since there are no facilities, you must bring your own water, camp at least 100 feet from all water sources and dig a hole at least six inches deep for disposal of human waste. Remember all Forest rules and regulations apply even in dispersed sites.
Dispersed camping allows you to “get away from it all.” Peace, solitude and adventure are some of the advantages to choosing an undeveloped campsite. Since there are no facilities, you must bring your own water, camp at least 100 feet from all water sources and dig a hole at least six inches deep for disposal of human waste. Remember all Forest rules and regulations apply even in dispersed sites.
Gass Peak Road Branching off of Mormon Well Road, Gass Peak Road takes you on an out and back through the Las Vegas Range. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is needed beyond Quail Springs Road, approximately 9 miles (14 km) after the Mormon Well Road turnoff.
Access gate may close at sunset and reopens at sunrise. Be advised if planning as a destination between sunset and sunrise.
Gass Peak Named for Octavius Decatur Gass, an early settler of the Las Vegas Valley, Gass Peak is the highest point of the Las Vegas Range. Standing at 6,943 feet (2,116 m), the peak offers spectacular views of both the bustling city to the south and the vast wilderness to the north.
Legend
We stayed at this spot for a week while volunteering with the Homes On Wheels Alliance. There must have been a hundred of us total, and there was plenty of room for all. We stayed on the edge, just off Mesquite Rd, very minimal off road driving. But you can keep going further back and there are so many open spots to choose from. This particular spot is huge and good for any size rig.
Good cell signal here for Verizon and ATT. It got windy every evening/night when we were there in mid October.
Heads up that there is a shooting range across the street and the shots are loud.
There's a county transfer station just down Mesquite Rd that takes recyclables (incl. glass!) and e-waste.
This is dispersed camping on BLM land so there are zero amenities or services so please help keep it clean.
Guide
Quiet, secluded spot between Las Vegas and Pahrump Nevada. First come, first served but it was very quiet when we were there. The Boondocking experience is my favorite part of camping/travelling and this was a great spot. Spent 2 weeks here and didn't come in contact with anybody! Other people were there but all well dispersed.
GPS Coordinates Latitude, Longitude: 36.0430242°,-115.6175106°
Our elevation was about 6,000 ft
No services but also no Fee (Free)
Hiking for days
LegendSuper cool hidden gem in the desert that’s for sure. Summertime gets a little tooooo hot but it’s perfect any other time throughout the year. It’s all dispersed so find a spot you like and enjoy!! Free camping!!! Winner!!! Make sure you build a good fire ring and make sure to put your fire completely out. Safety first! It’s Always best to take care of Mother Nature. If you have a 4x4 you can get to a much secluded area. If you don’t which we don’t have a 4x4 but we can make it pretty cool places so we’re happy.
Legend
Literally free.!!! Cell service Dispersed Dirt roads Close to stores and everything in between Now a lot of people are like living here full time and well good for them right? Shoot... not a bad situation. Anyway free camping just pull over and you are good. No hook ups or anything special just you and your rv of choice. What’s better than free? Also Next door is an rv place and you can dump and fill your water if you needed to. Huge area by the way and plenty of open desert
Guide
I’ve camped at Mack’s at least 3 times now. It doesn’t get old. Most of the campsites are accessible with a 2 wheel drive vehicle you can only get so far. The views are amazing and it’s just far enough away to see the Milky Way at night. There are no services so remember to leave no trace. 5 stars for this dispersed camping area.
TravelerWheeler Peak Rd is actually one of 4 roads that goes into this vast area.
There are several roads that some think give better access to campsites off HIghway 160 in town. Wheeler Peak Rd is south of town.
Best one might be Charleston Peak Rd. Turn east off 160 Highway by the Auto Zone store onto Panorama and go one block to Charleston Peak Rd turning right at the Chevy dealership.
This is paved road nearly all the way to campsites. When the pavement ends go straight ahead a block or two to campsites or turn to the left and go north toward the power lines. All BLM east of the power lines clear to the mountains.
Boondocked in this area 2 months with no complaints. Verizon Cellphone signal this close to town was very good as was my hotspot internet connection.
GuideWonderful dispersed camping. Good gravel roads and Picturesque views everywhere you turn. About 15 degrees cooler than vegas and good cell coverage
TravelerGreat views for sunrise and sunset. Dispersed camping with plenty of space between sites. Rock fire rings but expect no facilities. We only stayed one night but would stay here again! Cell service was excellent.
Guide
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.
LegendIts a little bit of a drive (4 miles) into the wooded terrain to get to the listed campsite. However, you can camp in multiple areas along the route. Just about anytime I head towards this site, you will see people tent or truck bed camping. On occasion, I will see a motorhome or pull trailer in the area. Most of the time, they are near the front entrance, as the road and openness for large rigs are more friendly. About a mile down the road is Sawmill trailhead. They have picnic areas and trails you can explore. Although, the current signage says not to camp overnight in the Sawmill area, you will see tents and rare times, small trailers (less than 20 feet) dispersed in the area. There are multiple nooks and private areas to disperse. As with any dispersed camping in this area or Sawmill, "No open fires." Just visited today and seen too many left over rock ring fires in the area. The usual from a long holiday weekend.
Legend
Great spot for dispersed camping. They have toilets near the front entrance. You will typically see small class c or pull trailers a little ways back, down the trails. No issues camping and people very respectful of other campers. Stayed during March and at night was almost freezing temperatures.
TravelerFor boondocking I find this spot convenient to town. Beautiful desert surroundings. Decent T mobile cell service.
ScoutCharleston 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.
TravelerMt. 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.
ScoutLots of level sites for individuals or groups. Very close to town/shopping/gas so a great spot for first timers to test and fine tune their setup before heading for more remote boondocking adventures.
ScoutMack's is a good dispersed camp ground. No services. Pack out what your bring in!
Its a close drive from Vegas great for a quick get away. The road is a single road and pretty rough a 4x4 is recommended however a skilled driver might be okay in a 2x4. There are a number of existing sites along the road in and a open air camp at the end. All of the sites are good. Its quiet and peaceful. No fires. The park ranger actually checked to make sure we were aware of the fire restrictions. I assume this is due to the Mahogany Fire a couple weeks ago. Great spot for a nice quick get away from the Vegas heat!
Ranger
This is dispersed camping along and inside Cathedral Canyon, a small canyon that was converted to an outdoor “cathedral” by a local resident in mid 20th century. Just southeast of Parumph off 95.
What was once beautiful is now weird and eerie but well worth a visit. Google the story. Interesting read.
You can camp up above or down in the cathedral. There are stone fire rings all around. No other amenities but good cell service. There was lots if trash when we were here as well as gunshots during the day from a nearby shooting range. There’s also clear evidence things have been shot up in the cathedral, too, including a giant headless Christ statue.
Not for everyone but a fine stopover with an interesting backstory.
TravelerThere are several spots along Lovell Canyon Rd that you can disperse camp at. If you want to get more than 30 feet off the road then you won't want to do it in an RV, the roads are rough. I came on a Sunday in October and there quite a few people camped along here so grab one of the first that you see. Use the satellite view in Google Maps to find some clearings in the brush. The main road is not very active at night so it's a pretty peaceful sleep.
LegendPrefect place to get away from Vegas. Many places for camping and easy to pull a trailer. Main road mostly paved. Other roads were dirt but well maintained and manageable. Lots of turn offs to disperse camp from main road. Be cautious, there were a couple of groups of campers off the main road that were target shooting into the woodline. If you come across the Red Rock canyon area. Rocky mt gap is the trail you can take to come across the mt in a high clearance 4wd vehicle. Mainly a jeep or something not to wide/long. My truck couldn't get pass some tight areas, so had to turn around.
Traveler
When you pull up to the campsite, you will immediately be intimidated by the steep and windy road up the cliff to access the campsites. It's actually quite wide, smooth, and easy to drive up without any issues (27ft travel trailer). Don't let that deter you.
Stayed here in January, so the 10 degree difference from Vegas wasn't necessarily a good thing. Probably a huge plus in the summer. At the top of the hill there are a few boondocking spots that are featured in most of the pictures. About a mile back I found a hilltop spot along one of the side roads with great views. However, it was VERY windy exposed at the top of a hill like that, with winds rushing down the main mountain.
Other reviewers mentioned the rehab camp, which I visited while exploring the back roads one day. It's not ideal to have that nearby, but didn't have any issues throughout my stay. There are employee cars and companies providing services driving back there all day, but it's not a big deal.
Couple miles away is the visitor center for the mountains, along with a resort with a restaurant. Only services are back down the mountain towards Vegas so come completely filled up when you make the trip up the mountain. Also a ski hill if you wind around the mountain, but probably 20-30 miles away.
Did see a few burros grazing around the area, but didn't make it to my campsite. There is a cool slot canyon at the entrance. You can either park at the lot by the road and walk about 1/2 mile, or drive back down the single track to park closer.
LegendThis site is excellent and should be explored fully to dig all the hiking opportunities. Three great spots to boondock, Mack's Canyon, Lovell Canyon, and Champion Road. All are great spots and far superior to the established campgrounds on the mountain (with the exception of Hilltop Camp but only because that site has hot showers). Access to trail heads and the spring mountain visitor center on the way in and out along the Kyle Canyon route. One of the top things to see is the bat colonies who come out at sunset and stay the evening. The stargazing is great as the forest is bristlecone and the canopy does not block the view of the Milky Way. We stayed two nights and had the place pretty much to ourselves mid week though I hear weekends can get crowded. Do not miss this spot. FYI it is typically much cooler on the mountain which is a short 47 minute drive from the site. It was 104 in the valley and 78 on the peak. An easy choice in the summer. Grooved to Reckoning on this trip and the book was Kybalion. Check them all out.
Legend
Campground Review: This was a pleasant surprise on the way back to Vegas from Death Valley. The description is pretty obvious, it is a LARGE sand dune with plenty of space to play on 4 wheelers and plenty of beautiful desert to set up tents or RV's.
Since it is a recreation area you will have to deal with generators and motors and lots of people from nearby towns coming out to play after work. It isn't far from Beatty which has amenities if you want to be close-ish to a town.
No services on site so make sure you are set up properly. The road to get out there is washboard dirt as well, so make sure you have good tires.*Not advised in Travellers Campervan*
The Dune itself is beautiful and a gorgeous spot for sunset or sunrise. It was cloudy when I was there so i didn't get that opportunity.
Travellers Autobarn Kuga Campervan Review(Sleeping and hanging out):
While out volunteering over a week for the Audubon Bird Counts, I was able to evaluate the AWESOME Kuga campervan. Since I was gone for 7 days, I broke my evaluation up into sections where the most important features of the van were utilized. If you want to see the rest, check out my reviews for **Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge, Cathedral Gorge State Park, Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Desert Wildlife Refuge, and Big Dune Recreation Area. **
This company is awesome, they come from Australia and New Zealand and we are super excited to have a truly affordable rental camper van in the United States! You can rent out different sizes and get an array of gear with them. This is perfect for music festivals, road trips, and for camping in extreme weather. Check them out here: https://www.travellers-autobarnrv.com/campervan-rv-rentals/kuga-campervan/
Scout
Pretty sunset, desolate dirt road to arrive. Guarantees that no one else will be in this spot…this is your spot. Wonderful little camping spot in the middle of nowhere. If your on a road trip, and looking for a nice place to lay thy head, don’t hesitate, you will not pop your tire. Lovely view of Vegas. :) 🏕
Legend
Camping review: Dispersed camping just South of the refuge. There are lots of dirt roads off the main road outside of the refuge that you can camp on. There are little turn offs and cut outs for you to pull up in. Ideal for car camping or RV's. The main road heading into the park on the South side of the refuge so you can easily get into the park by foot or via the dirt roads.
You will need to look at maps to make sure you aren't on private property. The road going into the refuge is fine to for overnight stays, but if you want extended stays, you can go to Funeral Mountains Wilderness, which is across the main road on the way into Death Valley and stay up to 14 days for free.
Ash Meadows is a BEAUTIFUL refuge filled with wonder. A literal Oasis In the Desert. In this refuge you will find many endangered pupfish swimming along in the many warm springs in the refuge. They are federally protected so you will need to keep your distance. You can also see Crystal Spring. Crystal Spring pumps out over 2800 gallons of water a minute form an underground warm aquifer. It is also cerulean blue due to the limestone breakdown in the water.
There is also the incredible Devil's Hole located in the refuge. This is a geologic wonder of the world. It is a hole int he base of a mountain that is filled with the clearest water and the famous Devil's Hole Pupfish. These guys are incredibly close to extinction and live in a crazy environment. The Devil's hole is known the world over as a dangerous diving spot. Many divers have been lost in the underwater maze and no one even knows how deep it is. Some divers have even died trying to find out. Anywhere in the world if there is a large scale geologic shift (earthquake), it registers in this hole and the water will splash about like a wave pool.
The entire location is hike in only. You will need a map and check for permits at the visitor's center.
Travellers Autobarn Kuga Campervan Gear Review(Driving)
While out volunteering over a week for the Audubon Bird Counts, I was able to evaluate the AWESOME Kuga campervan. Since I was gone for 7 days, I broke my evaluation up into sections where the most important features of the van were utilized. If you want to see the rest, check out my reviews for **Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge, Cathedral Gorge State Park, Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Desert Wildlife Refuge, and Big Dune Recreation Area. **
This company is awesome, they come from Australia and New Zealand and we are super excited to have a truly affordable rental camper van in the United States! You can rent out different sizes and get an array of gear with them. This is perfect for music festivals, road trips, and for camping in extreme weather.
Check them out here: https://www.travellers-autobarnrv.com/campervan-rv-rentals/kuga-campervan/
TravelerThis was my first time doing a dispersed campsite and I have no complaints! It was relatively quiet and very peaceful at night. The spots are pretty well spread out to give you the most privacy you’d need and there is great cell reception out here. We heard all kinds of wildlife at night, coyotes were the ones to stick out the most with all their howling. I would comeback!
GuideWe had a good time here. Camp spots are fairly spread out and mostly flat. We camp with travel trailer so we stay closer to the road but it's not busy. Trying to take it up the dirt roads was a bit rugged so we came back down. Beautiful scenery. Quiet. Temps cooler than in town. Some off road vehicles, but not a problem for us. Last time we were there someone had left a bunch of trash so that part wasn't cool. We had cell service.
LegendSuper cool little area for sure. We don’t have 4 wheel drive but we managed to get in and out just fine by going slow. It was crazy windy and our ozark black out tent held its way just fine. It’s totally dispersed so you have no hook ups. Pack out what you pack in This place is gorgeous when the sun sets and sun rises on the mountains. A little chilly at night but our heater did us good.
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!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Indian Springs, Nevada, where nature lovers can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area offers a perfect retreat for campers seeking solitude and adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Indian Springs, NV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Indian Springs, NV is Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain) with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Indian Springs, NV?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Indian Springs, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
