Best Campgrounds near Jean, NV

Dispersed camping dominates the landscape around Jean, Nevada, with the Jean Roach Dry Lakes area being the primary public land option for primitive camping. Located about 30 miles southwest of Las Vegas along Interstate 15, this Bureau of Land Management (BLM) terrain offers wide open spaces for tent and vehicle camping without designated sites or facilities. The region includes a few developed options like the nearby Retro Camper with Desert Mountain View, which provides a cabin camping experience with basic amenities including electricity, drinking water, and picnic tables.

The terrain surrounding Jean consists primarily of desert lakebed with hard-packed soil and small gravel. Campers should be prepared for potentially challenging conditions as "high winds at night" require securing all equipment, according to one visitor. Access to most dispersed areas requires careful navigation, as some transitions from hard-packed ground to shifting sand can trap vehicles not equipped for off-road travel. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Cell service is spotty but generally available in the Jean Roach Dry Lakes area, with AT&T providing limited coverage. Most dispersed sites have no amenities, and visitors must pack in all water and supplies while following Leave No Trace principles.

The Jean area's proximity to Las Vegas makes it popular for those seeking to escape the city without traveling far. Reviews highlight the expansive desert views and stargazing opportunities as major draws. "Wide open lands with plenty of trails to discover" is how one camper described the Jean Roach Dry Lakes area, noting the opportunity to find perfect spots at trail intersections. Several visitors mentioned the abundance of trash as a concern, recommending that campers bring extra bags to help clean the area. Those seeking more amenities often continue to Lake Mead Recreation Area or Red Rock Canyon campgrounds, which offer developed sites with tables, fire rings, and restrooms approximately 40-45 minutes from Jean.

Best Camping Sites Near Jean, Nevada (111)

    1. Dispersed-jean/roach Dry Lakes

    16 Reviews
    Jean, NV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (702) 515-5000

    "Wide open lands with plenty of trails to discover. We continued well past the GPS coordinates and found a perfect spot for us at the intersection of several trails."

    "People come from miles around to see it, but those real die hard also come here to camp in the wilderness surrounding the wonder itself."

    2. Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort

    42 Reviews
    Henderson, NV
    20 miles
    Website
    +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)."

    3. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Red Rock Campground

    70 Reviews
    Blue Diamond, NV
    25 miles
    Website
    +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."

    "Great campground really close to Vegas (at night you can see that light beam from the Luxor)."

    4. Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain)

    56 Reviews
    Blue Diamond, NV
    24 miles
    Website
    +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."

    "This is a great little getaway outside of las vegas and pahrump. After a few miles in, you hit some trees and cooler weather. Stayed for one night, but will definitely be going back."

    5. Retro Camper with Desert Mountain View

    4 Reviews
    Jean, NV
    7 miles
    +1 (715) 697-8237

    $75 - $85 / night

    "The Pioneer Saloon just a 5 minute walk down the hill. Live music Friday-Sunday. Everyone is friendly. Heather was a great host and always a text away."

    6. Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam's Town

    40 Reviews
    Henderson, NV
    27 miles
    Website
    +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."

    7. Circus Circus RV Park

    29 Reviews
    Las Vegas, NV
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 634-3450

    $46 - $63 / night

    "There is very easy access to the Circus Circus casino, adventuredome, and the Duece (bus service on the strip)."

    "Not a bad spot if you want to be within walking distance of a casino."

    8. Sloan Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Sloan, NV
    12 miles
    Website

    "So if you come from Vegas and your at the little white trailer which is the main entrance you'll have to hike to the south side if the mountains and exit the main path area before camping (which is about"

    10. Las Vegas RV Resort

    22 Reviews
    Henderson, NV
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (702) 451-8005

    $32 - $88 / night

    "They have a pool, hot tub, clubhouse, arrows around the park that weave you through the park totally a 1 mile distance. Everything is asphalt. Walkable to Sam's Town Casino."

    "It's a short drive away from good eateries and they allow Uber eats ! Sam's town is nearby , which has bowling and a full sized and very modern cinema facility."

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Recent Reviews near Jean, NV

939 Reviews of 111 Jean Campgrounds


  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain)

    Lovell Canyon - BLM Land

    BLM land: first come, first served. Close to Vegas for supplies. Primitive campsites, mile heigh views. Can be busy during holidays and events but fairly quiet most of the time.

  • H
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Circus Circus RV Park

    Perfect place to explore Las Vegas

    It’s a 30 minute walk to the Strip, you even have a pool (which is very nice when it’s that hot)

  • Jenny W.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Kingman Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    Beautiful location . . .

    Used this as my base camp for exploring other nearby areas such as Arizona Hot Springs and Goldstrike Canyon. I prefer to camp naked and everyone was cool with it.   It has vault bathrooms, amazing sunsets, safe water, great skinny-dipping/snorkeling.  Great spot to paddleboard to nearby Hoover Dam.  Great for SCUBA.  The burros rarely bite.  They just want food, if you ignore them, they'll go on to the next car.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Hitchin' Post RV Park

    Clean level sites

    Check in was easy staff friendly. The spite was level and had FHU. The site was long enough for our MH and tow.

  • Ryan F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Mack's Canyon Dispersed Camping

    Vegas' Secret is Getting Out

    Mack’s Canyon Campground is a convenient and easily accessible spot just outside of Las Vegas, making it a popular choice for campers looking for a quick escape from the city. 

    The sites themselves are quite spacious, which is a big plus if you’re setting up multiple tents or bringing along larger vehicles and gear. That said, campers relying on tents should be prepared for a bit of a challenge. The terrain can be rocky and is almost always uneven, with limited flat ground, so finding a truly level spot for a tent can take some extra effort. It’s definitely doable, but requires some patience and creativity. 

    Because of the easy access, this campground does see more people than one might desire in a mountain canyon. More people unfortunately more noise—music, vehicle noises and voices tend to carry through the area, amplifying the sound beyond a single campsite. 

    On top of that, the area seems to attract a fair share of rowdy “hold my beer, watch this” drivers. I noticed some campsites with remnants of donuts, not the edible kind, but the ones left by thrill seeking drivers, which can disrupt the peace and quiet. While there, there were also some drivers driving far faster than what any driver should be on those roads, just be careful! 

    Overall, Mack’s Canyon offers beautiful mountain surroundings and roomy sites, but comes with trade-offs: less seclusion, more noise, and some challenging terrain for tents. Great for groups or quick getaways, but those seeking solitude and serenity may want to look elsewhere.

  • n
    Aug. 12, 2025

    cottonwood cove

    Alone with a lake

    Have been coming here for a couple years now, usually spend two weeks camping. It used to never have much visitors but the traffic has picked up a bit. They added garbage cans because there was so much litter it was getting gross and even the garbage cans get overly filled. I usually pick up garbage around the area to keep it nice.

    Most the time I’m alone here with the lake, in a giant fishbowl surrounded by mountains.

  • DJ Jazzy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Boulder Beach Camp Grounds

    Starter to my camping life

    I stayed the max time on and off. 30 days. This is where it all started. In that time I have toned my camping skills.

    Bathrooms where good to do your morning necessaries. Views of the lake, roadrunners, quails and a bird I don't know.

    I wish more people "packed out what they packed in" but what ever.

  • Karen
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Boulder Beach Camp Grounds

    Boulder Beach Campgrounds

    We love it here! Some sites have a gazebo. Handicapped sites are available, all sites have a picnic table, firepit, accessible well water, clean restrooms and concrete pads to park rv's.

  • Job V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Fletcher View

    Great Campsite

    Helpfull owner and a very nice campsite.


Guide to Jean

Dispersed camping options near Jean, Nevada extend well beyond the Jean Roach Dry Lakes area. Located at approximately 2,800 feet elevation, the surrounding desert terrain features hard-packed soil transitioning to sandy washes in many areas. Cell reception varies dramatically across camping areas, with stronger signals closer to Interstate 15 and the township of Jean. Additional camping options include the Sloan Canyon dispersed area and the Lovell Canyon region, which sits at higher elevation offering cooler summer temperatures.

What to do

Dirt bike riding on varied terrain: Roach Dry Lakes provides multiple terrain types for riders of all skill levels. "Dirt bike riding is a must out here. From dry flat lake bed, to bumps and jumps, to trails to the mountains- there is all kinds of terrain especially for starters," notes Shalynn S. about Dispersed-jean/roach Dry Lakes.

Off-road exploration: Many camping sites around Jean connect to extensive trail systems suitable for ATVs and 4x4 vehicles. "If you like to ride, shoot, or just get away, this is the spot," explains Troy S., highlighting the recreational versatility of the area.

Stargazing: The dark skies at higher elevations provide excellent night viewing conditions. "The stars at night are a sight to see!" mentions a Roach Dry Lakes visitor, while campers at Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping report "Panoramic Views" with "Great views for sunrise and sunset" according to Mark D.

Hiking opportunities: Several nearby trail systems offer day hiking options. At Sloan Canyon Dispersed Camping, Eric F. notes: "This area can be very deceiving, as to where you can camp because of the petroglyphs. This is a protected area."

What campers like

Affordability and accessibility: Free dispersed camping represents a major draw for visitors to Jean. "It's Free, nothing too special and you know what you're getting," mentions Brittney C. about the Jean area, appreciating its straightforward nature.

Proximity to amenities: Despite being remote camping sites, Jean's location near I-15 provides convenient access to basic services. "They do have a really dope corner store with white castle burgers which was good... and the corner store has everything else you can think of, places to charge your smart cars and fill up the propane," adds Brittney.

Secluded camping spots: At Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping, Arthur W. notes: "There are several sites to camp through the valley area just off the main road. It gets busy on the weekends but if you look enough you can still find a site in a somewhat secluded area."

Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: The Lovell Canyon area provides relief from valley heat. Cole P. comments: "Needed a place to beat the heat while passing through Vegas, was a good 20 degrees cooler."

What you should know

Road conditions vary dramatically: Many camping areas require careful navigation. "I didn't make it to the lake bed, but I could see the swath of white nearer the mountain base. I accidentally drove into the area of unforgiving dust," reports Wanderer at Jean Roach Dry Lakes. Similarly, at Lovell Canyon, Brandey H. warns: "Trying to take it up the dirt roads was a bit rugged so we came back down."

Wind conditions can impact camping experience: Be prepared for significant wind events. Brenda from Retro Camper with Desert Mountain View advises to "Tread lightly at Night!" noting that "After everyone settles down for the night it's nice and quite."

Limited facilities: Almost no dispersed sites offer amenities. "Absolutely no water, electricity nothing. Pack everything you need and prepare for emergencies," warns Cat N. about the Jean area.

Proximity to shooting areas: Some camping zones neighbor informal shooting ranges. Eric F. at Sloan Canyon notes: "One down side to this area is right after you go over the cattle grate you will see spots on the right and left where people setup on shoot weapons."

Tips for camping with families

Consider alternatives to dispersed camping: For families wanting amenities, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers more structured camping. One visitor notes: "Great camp sites with shade, fire pits, tables, water and bathrooms near by."

Plan for temperature extremes: Desert conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. "Do not attempt camping in the summer but the cooler months really shows off the stars and the Milky Way," advises Cat N. about the Jean area.

Bring cleanup supplies: Several camping areas suffer from trash issues. Anna observes: "The spot we found was very large, but had some fire remnants from previous campers, probably a while ago. Some beer bottles and garbage were around the spot also."

Consider noise levels: Some camping areas experience noise from roads or nearby activities. Trinity M. reports: "Lots of wind and wind with dirt in it and more wind. What else do you want?"

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: The Jean area has varying suitability for RVs. "Nice paved road in, had no problem with finding a spot for a 38' Class A. Don't go off the main paths though unless your 4x4 (after rain you will be stuck)," advises Trinity M. at Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam's Town for those wanting full hookups.

Stay on established paths: Venturing off designated routes can be problematic. Wanderer from Jean Roach Dry Lakes advises: "I did encounter places where 4x4 were needed, but if you stay on the main gravel roads you should be good."

Prepare for limited privacy: At developed RV sites like Las Vegas KOA, Stephani W. notes: "Koa Sams Town Las Vegas is a clean tidy place to park your R.V or Travel Trailer. They have very clean restrooms and showers. Also cheap to stay here only its not much like camping here."

Plan for extreme heat: Summer temperatures require adequate cooling capacity. "Make sure you have good ac. It was 112F and the sun was beating down, even at night it was 90+. There is no shade," warns Bo L.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current population of Jean, Nevada?

Jean, Nevada is an extremely small unincorporated community with a population of approximately 0-10 permanent residents. It functions primarily as a commercial area with casinos, gas stations, and convenience stores serving travelers on I-15 between Las Vegas and California. The town is not a residential community but rather a service stop and gateway to outdoor recreation areas like Dispersed-jean/roach Dry Lakes. Jean's small population makes it an ideal jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding desert without the crowds of larger towns.

What are the nearby attractions when camping in Jean, Nevada?

When camping near Jean, visitors can explore numerous outdoor adventures and entertainment options. The surrounding desert offers excellent off-roading trails and hiking opportunities, particularly around Knob Hill BLM Dispersed Camping area. Lake Mohave at Cottonwood Cove Campground provides water recreation including fishing, swimming, and boating about 45 minutes away. Las Vegas is just 30 minutes north, offering world-class entertainment, dining, and gambling. For nature enthusiasts, nearby attractions include the scenic desert landscapes of Sloan Canyon Conservation Area and the cooler mountain environment at Mt. Charleston, providing a refreshing escape from desert heat.

What camping options are available near Jean, Nevada?

Jean offers excellent dispersed camping opportunities on surrounding BLM land. Dispersed-jean/roach Dry Lakes provides wide-open spaces with numerous trails to explore, though be prepared for high winds and pack out all trash. Front Sight Campground offers flat areas for camping on BLM land, but note it's adjacent to an active gun range. For those wanting established campgrounds, head about 30 minutes away to Searchlight where you'll find Cree's Mobile Home Park with full hookups and Wi-Fi, or explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area's camping options within an hour's drive.