9 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses multiple campground options for visitors seeking outdoor accommodations in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. Several established campgrounds provide amenities ranging from basic to full-service, including Boulder Beach Campground, Las Vegas Bay Campground, and Willow Beach Campground. The recreation area also supports dispersed camping at locations such as Government Wash, Kingman Wash, and Arizona Hot Springs. Tent campers, RV enthusiasts, and boaters can find suitable camping areas within this desert landscape bordered by the Colorado River and Lake Mead.
Road conditions vary throughout the recreation area, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for camping. As one visitor noted, "We drove down the narrow desert road into the dry mountains and were blown away by the water oasis hidden in the otherwise barren landscape." The National Park Service manages most camping areas, with some sites requiring reservations while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Cell service ranges from adequate near Boulder City to non-existent in remote areas. Campers should bring adequate water supplies, as drinking water is limited to developed campgrounds.
Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers throughout Lake Mead Recreation Area. Boat-in camping allows visitors to reach secluded shorelines and coves inaccessible by road. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The campground set high above the water with perfectly level, absolutely immaculate sites tucked in the rocky surroundings." Facilities vary significantly between locations, with Boulder Beach and Willow Beach offering amenities like showers, drinking water, and dump stations, while dispersed areas like Government Wash provide minimal infrastructure. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bighorn sheep, which can occasionally be spotted near water sources. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though extreme summer heat drives many visitors to seek higher elevations or waterfront sites where swimming provides relief from temperatures.
"Between access to a bathroom, shower, and a nearby dock that serves food, what more do you need in the area? We even had access to WiFi! Good for a stargazing app I was using."
"Full hook ups for all drive thru and back in camp sites. There are tent sites also and everything is well maintained. There are tables and fire pits at all sites and lantern pole in all tent sites."
from $80 / night
"You can camp close to the interstate or 3 miles away at the lake. The lake shore gets crowded. The road is bumpy but we saw cars all the way down to the lake."
"Took my 2wd on the road there a couple times, ok if youre an experienced driver but still rough on suspension...Was able to get a shady in AM spot off the shore of the lake, away from the hustle and bustle"
"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."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"Beautiful sunsets near waterline. Tent and/or vehicle camping only in this lower area. RV camping up on hill side. Fishing good. Hiking good. Lots of birds and some coyotes. Watch your small pets!"
"There are trash dumpsters at the entrance to the dispersed camping area and we saw BLM folks out patrolling. Many off road paths around to take your jeep or side by side. "
"Arizona Hot Springs is located at Mile Marker 4 US 93 South Of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boulder City, NV 89005. Those directions will take you to the parking lot trailhead."
"You can either hike in or boat in to get to this location. We kayak in to set up camp for the night. There is a rustic toilet you can use, no water available other than the river."
"These are closest to the lake, but when we visited, lake mead was very low, so the shoreline was about 1/4 mile away. Sites had decent spacing."
"Store, propane and great views of Lake Mead. If you are able to reserve a rv pad nearest the lake, you will be in for a treat. All spots have full hookup and picnic table."
"We came in December and even with the cold weather we really enjoyed the MTB trails directly behind the RV park. Short walk to shopping. The park was very clean and the people super nice."
"Well maintained and there is a walking path just out the back gate."
"The pin took us off-road to a private BLM spot that went to a dead end in which you can get out of your vehicles and hike .8 miles down to the river."
"Located 45 minutes outside of Vegas, Emerald Cave is an absolute beauty. If you’re looking to get out of the city, enjoy the nice weather and warm lake water, this is the place for you."
"All sites has prefect views of the surrounding mountains. All sites that are situated on the outer rim of the campground, be weary. Most have a good steep decline not to far away from the pavement."
"Quiet beautifully maintained campground with a dump station, portable water, spigots near restrooms and flush toilets. Firings and picnic tables at each site. Very few sites for rigs over 26’."
"It’s very isolated and secluded and it surrounded by trees. If you can make it you can camp and have A whole lake to yourself. Huge fish everywhere and cliffs to jump from."
GuideWas a nice place to stay. Stayed here in my brother-in-laws trailer while we were getting ready to move him to Alaska. Nice and quite other than the jets but that's to be expected. Some decent trees for some relief from the sun as well.
RangerThere are 2 distinct "loops" to this campground. The lower loop, sites 1-17, are not as "cozy" as the upper loop, sites 18+, meaning they do not have as much separation between sites and are not as tucked into the rock formations. I was in the lower loop. The park is very popular and so is this campground. There were a fair amount of kids, sadly some noisy into the night as well as first thing in the morning, and the campground was close to full every night. I was there Sunday-Thursday. Even though I read that all sites have covered tables, that is not true. My site, 10, did not have a covered table and neither did the site next to me, 11. This meant that when I arrived in the afternoon, there was no shade and it was hot. Fortunately I carry a shade and I put it up over the table. Sites are situated so that you either morning sun and afternoon shade or vice versa. The rocks limit sun exposure so be aware of this if you rely on solar power-you will not have sunup to sundown sun. Water was very conveniently located and the bathrooms were clean.
TravelerGreat spot. Easy to find and easy road to get in. Wonderful views. Also, good cell coverage.
ScoutThe sites are very narrow, needs updating of utilities but the personnel make up for it. They are very friendly and helpful. Try to stay away from sites near Desert Inn Blvd., traffic and neighborhood noise is constant and loud!
GuideI hear this is like burning man in the summer with degrees soaring beyond 120. However in late October this place had only a half dozen campers spread out, so plenty of privacy. The lake is calm and good for swimming. There are coyotes howling at night. But the biggest attraction was the raccoons. Yeah, they came in trying to get the trash bag out. They hit everyone's campsite at 3am. Other than that excitement it was great. I would stop here again. The road in was easy as dirt roads go, however the ranger said they just updated it. So check with them for the latest. Since it is heavily traveled I would think they keep it looking better than most dirt roads.
GuideGuys, this is a wonderful place right off the highway. I hear it is bumper to bumper like burning man in the summer. But in October there were half a dozen people here with plenty of room in between. Note that raccoons are a huge issue here. Plan on it. They will come, trust me. They make their way from camp to camp and they are hard to get rid of. The ranger came by and chatted with us. Very easy road in. A couple steep places that are fine for most any rig I would think. Look, if you want a perfect road, don't go on dirt. They just fixed the road from the traffic in the summer.
ScoutSince it's Halloween u give up on customer service??? Seems like idiots in control of bigger idiots :)
ScoutWide open with tons of space, some nice were crazy windy but others were calm. Enjoyed the stay here, try to arrive during the day to find the best camp site with your preferred view. The further in you go the road got a bit rougher
RangerGreat place to stop. Not to far off the main road. Gravel road pretty decent. Multiple places to choose from. Minimal vehicles pass bye. Good cell signal.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area camping offers both primitive and developed options across elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet. The area spans 1.5 million acres with nearly 900 miles of shoreline when the lake is at capacity. Water levels fluctuate significantly, affecting beach access and boat launch availability throughout the year.
Hot springs exploration: 6-mile round-trip hike at Arizona Hot Springs leads to natural thermal pools. "Although it's only a 6 mile round trip hike, make sure to bring plenty of water as it gets extremely hot in the canyon. A bathing suit and water shoes are highly encouraged as you will pass multiple hot springs (when I say they're hot, they're steaming hot)."
Kayak to hidden caves: 45 minutes from Vegas at Emerald Cave Dispersed for unique water exploration. "If it wasn't for one hill that had us question if we should chance it or not, we probably could have made it to the end of the road. Hiking the few miles down from our campsite with a kayak on my back was not fun but it was worth it once you get down to the water."
Wildlife observation: Free access to herds of wild burros near Kingman Wash. "I spent 3 days and nights here at Kingman Wash in August... The burrows were a very welcome plus that added to the enjoyment of the trip."
Desert water contrast: Experience both environments at Kingman Wash. "This campground is amazing! There are bathrooms, but I did not use them. Donkeys roam around and the bugs are pretty extra. The 3 mile off road was a little intimidating with my 20ft camper but we made it! So worth it!"
Sunrise/sunset views: Perfect photo opportunities at Las Vegas Bay Campground. "Wonderful! Free dump station and potable water. Dispersed spaces asphalt pads, concrete picnic tables, fire rings and gorgeous views. What more can we ask? It's quiet except for the birds. Quail are everywhere."
Isolation with amenities: Feeling remote while near civilization at Las Vegas Bay Campground. "Beautiful sunset views, and the hills block all signs of civilization. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though you are 20 minutes from Vegas."
Road conditions vary drastically: Vehicle requirements differ by location. Road Runner Cove is "hard to get to but worth it. It's very isolated and secluded and surrounded by trees. If you can make it you can camp and have a whole lake to yourself."
Seasonal considerations: Avoid summer for hiking-focused trips. At Arizona Hot Springs, "the hike itself is closed during the summer months."
Water access changes with levels: Research before arrival at Government Wash. "Access limited due to low water. And covid 19. Great temp great sunsets."
Park entry fees separate from camping: Budget accordingly. "We decided to stay outside Vegas this time and I'm so glad we did. This place is so nice and quiet. Also there are hiking trails galore here."
Shade is essential: Choose tree-covered sites for summer camping. "We love camping at Las Vegas Bay campground at Lake Mead. The campground is very close to the wash that comes from Lake Las Vegas. Lots of wildlife!! Sites are small."
Bring water shoes: Rocky shorelines and hot surfaces require proper footwear. "Consider water shoes. While the hot springs themselves are quite smooth on the bottom the path to and from the campsite is not as smooth and easy on the bottom of your feet."
Plan educational side trips: Hoover Dam is nearby to Boulder Beach Campground. "Great views and close to the strip and hover dam. We had an amazing lake view site with full hookups for our rv. It was only 7 minutes to the hover dam and 5 minutes into Boulder City."
Generator restrictions: Plan for areas with specific rules or bring solar power. "There is a section dedicated to no generator use if you want the extra quiet. Temps were at 102 during the day and 70s at night."
Site spacing: Research specific loops at Canyon Trail RV Park for more privacy. "Park was clean with mostly level gravel pull thru sites. Dog areas and common areas were clean. Did not use the facilities but other campers were enjoying the pool and spa."
Utility connection planning: Bring extra hoses and cables for some sites. "The utilities were spaced a bit far from the site and towards the back so I needed about 22' of sewer hose and 25' of electric and water hose."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available at Lake Mead National Recreation Area?
Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers diverse camping options. Developed campgrounds include Boulder Beach Campground and Katherine Landing North Campground at the south end of Lake Mohave. For dispersed camping, options include Government Wash and Kingman Wash. The recreation area also encompasses Lake Mohave with Cottonwood Cove Campground, Willow Beach Campground, and several free boondocking areas. Many campgrounds provide waterfront access perfect for swimming and boating.
Do I need reservations for camping at Lake Mead National Recreation Area?
Reservation requirements vary across Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Cottonwood Cove Campground offers a mix of first-come, first-served sites and reservable spots. Similarly, at Katherine Landing North Campground, some sites require reservations while others are FCFS. For dispersed camping areas like Kingman Wash and Government Wash, no reservations are needed. During peak seasons (spring and fall) and holidays, reservations are highly recommended for developed campgrounds to ensure availability.
What do reviews say about camping at Lake Mead National Recreation Area?
Reviews highlight Lake Mead's spectacular scenery and diverse camping experiences. Arizona Hot Springs receives praise for its 6-mile round trip hike leading to natural hot springs, though hikers are advised to bring plenty of water. Valley of Fire BLM Dispersed Site is appreciated for free boondocking on a short but rough road less than two miles from the park's north entrance. Campers note the excellent fishing, hiking opportunities, wildlife viewing (particularly birds), and stunning sunsets over the water. While summer heat can be intense, the proximity to water activities makes it worthwhile. Road conditions to dispersed sites often require high-clearance vehicles.
What amenities are provided at Lake Mead camping areas?
Amenities vary widely across Lake Mead camping areas. Boulder Beach Campground provides raised tent platforms, access to the lake for swimming, and basic facilities. Government Wash offers beautiful waterfront dispersed camping with no facilities. Developed campgrounds typically include picnic tables, trash collection, water spigots, flush toilets, and sometimes showers. Some campgrounds like Katherine Landing North offer RV hookup sites with power and water for an additional fee. Dispersed camping areas such as Arizona Hot Springs and Kingman Wash have no amenities, requiring campers to be fully self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles.
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