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Best Tent Camping near Lake Mead National Recreation Area

597 Reviews

Dispersed tent camping options surround Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, with many free primitive sites located near the shoreline. Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash offers access to tent sites with no facilities but exceptional views of the lake. Valley of Fire Dispersed provides another free option for tent campers seeking solitude in a scenic desert setting with distinctive rock formations.

Most dispersed tent camping areas near Lake Mead require visitors to pay the recreation area entrance fee, though camping itself is free at sites like Eight Mile Road and Valley of Fire Dispersed. The roads to these areas often consist of rough washboard surfaces with deep gravel or sand sections that may challenge vehicles without high clearance. Tent campers should prepare for self-sufficient stays, as amenities are minimal or nonexistent at most locations. No drinking water is available, toilets are rare, and campers must pack out all trash. Most sites allow fires in established rings, and pets are permitted throughout the recreation area.

The tent camping experience near Lake Mead offers remarkable solitude and natural beauty despite challenging conditions. Sites near the water provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, and kayaking, though water levels fluctuate significantly. Many locations offer unobstructed views of sunsets over the lake and surrounding mountains. According to one visitor, "We love coming here because it is not usually busy and we like our own quiet space." Cell service is surprisingly strong at many locations, including Eight Mile Road, making these primitive sites workable for those needing occasional connectivity. Tent campers should be prepared for extreme heat during summer months, with little to no natural shade available at most sites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lake Mead National Recreation Area (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lake Mead National Recreation Area

39 Photos of 9 Lake Mead National Recreation Area Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Lake Mead National Recreation Area

597 Reviews of 9 Lake Mead National Recreation Area Campgrounds

  • Colette K.
    Apr. 25, 2018

    Cottonwood Cove Campground — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground, near Lake Mohave, NV

    Ranger Review: Midland X-Talker Two-way Radios at Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW

    Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground is located 14 miles east of Searchlight, NV, on the shores of Lake Mohave. The decent into Cottonwood Cove is quite dramatic (about 2900 ft), for which the roadside cactus can attest, as the types of cacti change even with the slightest elevation change.

    The "lower" in Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground's name characterizes it's lower elevation compared to the "upper" campground, which naturally has higher elevation.

    Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground is included in Lake Mead National Recreation Area campgrounds, and keeping with their custom, all sites are first come first serve. The Cottonwood Cove area has low elevation, at about 650 feet above sea level, which means it gets very hot during the late spring, summer, and early fall months.

    Only a few of the 45 sites have shady cottonwood trees, and there are only uncovered picnic tables, so come prepared with a shade canopy for much needed relief! There are beautiful views of Lake Mohave, three very clean restroom buildings (no showers), water on taps, and fire rings at every site. There is an RV dump station located near the entrance to the Upper Campground (although the Upper Campground is closed).

    The Lower Campground is situated behind a hill, which obstructs cell service. Walking only a short distance to the marina area, you'll find a strong 4G signal. The park service provides fee-based internet at the campground, but we didn't try it.

    Cottonwood Cove has a full service boat marina, gas, motel, RV resort (with full hook-ups), watercraft rentals/supplies, sandy beach, and shaded picnic tables with BBQs.

    Here's a drive-along tour of Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground: https://youtu.be/s6AQ6KqtxPg

    Overall, we enjoyed our stay at this campground. It was a peaceful place, with jackrabbits, a couple of hungry ducks, many songbirds, and the stars at night were bright & beautiful. 4 stars (not 5 stars due to lack of provided shade).

    PRODUCT REVIEW

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. While camping at Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground, we tested Midland X-Talker Two-way Radios (model T51).

    https://midlandusa.com/product/x-talker-t51vp/

    Camping in an isolated area behind a large hill was the perfect place to review these radios. However, with the hill as an obstruction our range was limited. [Note: We also tried these radios at home, and our maximum range was 3 small neighborhood blocks. Perhaps to achieve the maximum range of "28 miles," you'd need to be on the open ocean on a calm day or out on a very flat prairie.]

    Here's a video demonstration of the Midland X-Talker Two-way Radios:

    https://youtu.be/ocCEzY-MgUc

    As you can see in our review video, we compared the Midland radios with a very inexpensive set. Midland's quality is far superior.

    The Midland's instruction booklet is easy to follow, buttons are easy to operate, radio is comfortable to hold, and the belt clip is very tight (exercise care unlatching to prevent breaking). And… the NOAA Weather Radio scan was our biggest surprise, as you'll see in this video:

    https://youtu.be/nZvTipRcln8

    The radios can be charged while positioned on the charging stand or via a charging cord plugged directly into the radio and to an electrical source (such as a portable power bank).

    Overall, we are very impressed with the clear reception and convenience of the Midland X-Talker Two-way Radios. We are looking forward to using these radios during our future no-cell service camping, fishing, and hiking adventures. 5 stars

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2022

    Katherine Landing North Campground

    Nice CG close to Bullhead City

    Nice CG at the south end of Lake Mohave, but inside the NPS Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Lots of campsites some are FCFS some are reserved. $24/$12 senior, other sites with power and water hookups are 73$ nite..crazy! 30 day stay limit. Tables, trash, water spigots, flush toilets, shower house and small laundry room. Marina is close by and there are some hiking trails around down by lake. Cell signal is very good.

  • T
    Dec. 10, 2021

    Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Red Rock Campground

    Low Cost Nice Campground close to Las Vegas

    If you get a chance take the scenic drive. The campground is just fine with vault toilets, and water but no showers, sewer dump, electric or other hookups. The location is very scenic. The facilities are well kept and the hosts on site are very nice. Many sites include a hard canopy over a paved patio, with picnic table and fire ring nearby. Each also had a large, level sand pad for pitching a tent.

  • Daphne W.
    Nov. 21, 2021

    Las Vegas Bay Campground — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    Great Place to Camp!

    Great experience. I arrived late at night and was still able to check in with a pay stub. Even though it’s mid/late November the weather was great! Just take a cool weather sleeping bag and you’ll be good.

    This campground is reservable 15 days in advance, but if you missed that deadline, there is first come-first serve camping as well. There were many spots open when I came. When you get here, scout for a spot, remember your site number and license plate info, and then go back to pay at the pay stub center (at the entrance of the campground).

    Its $20 a night to camp here. BRING CASH! :)

    No showers, just bathrooms.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Las Vegas Bay Campground — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    In the desert, but feels cozy somehow

    We landed in Vegas and headed straight out of the city to this campground.  I booked it online, not ever having seen it in person, but I'd stay again in an instant. 

    We had site 23 - very shaded and "green" - site 24 (not ours) was very open to the desert. 

    There is a no generator section meant for tents, but we didn't stay there as it seemed fully booked so I picked an RV/tent site at the far end.  And it was lovely.  The site was in the middle of a turn around, so we were in the "donut center" so to speak and it was quiet, shaded and beautiful.  Lot of palms and oleander that gave a lot of privacy. A short walk to the bathroom (hundred yards maybe?) but they were clean and the toilets were the flush kind, not pit kind. Drinking water was available too. There were fire pits at each site and a picnic table. Our site - and I assume most - were dirt/sand mix that made for easy tent set up.  But don't count on getting your stakes into the ground. There were a lot of small rocks around the site - obviously used by many campers to "stake out" the tent with.  We did so as well. 

    The campground as a whole was a short drive off the main road, but very easy to get to. 

    Absolutely I'd stay here again.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2023

    Atlatl Rock Campground — Valley of Fire State Park

    Nice rocks Hot weather

    Arch rock campground is further up the road from Atlanta campground. It used to be a first come first serve campground, but just this month changed to a reservation system. If a site is not reserved and it is after 3pm, you can pay the iron ranger $10 for the site. Arch rock sites are more scenic than the other campground, but also more primitive with just vault toilet and water spigots distributed throughout the camp. No electricity. Desert big horn sheep do frequent the area. It can be very hot temperature. Sites are only modestly separated with little screening. Though the sites further up the loop are more dispersed. Each site has sun shade, table, fire ring, and 12’x12’ tent pads. No T-Mobile.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2023

    Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Red Rock Campground

    Hard to believe how close to Las Vegas this campground is!

    This campground is open September through June and all sites are dry camping. There is a separate area for RVs, trailers, and vans but many camper vans (including ours) were in the tent section. The camper pads in this area are dirt/gravel and not all of them are level but we made it work. Each site has a fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. Some of the sites (but not all) have a covered picnic table and the table is located on a cement pad. 

    There are more than sufficient vault toilets sprinkled throughout the campground and all the ones we used were clean. No showers. No dump station.

    The hosts were great – they are from Minnesota, and it is their third year at this campground. They made daily rounds and were very friendly. 

    This campground is located just outside the park and therefore not subject to the park fees. You will need a timed entry for the 13-mile scenic drive from October through May (but if you enter before 8 am, you will not need it). We had only a fleeting one bar of Verizon cell service. Make sure you make reservations as the campground was full on a Monday night in mid-November.

  • Les W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    Another great spot!!

    Did a day trip here, looking for other areas to be able to set up my mobile office. Awesome views, and half to full cell service/wifi all the way to the water! Water was clear and could see decent sized fish in the shallows. Another start in the boon-docking sash! Only caveat is the trash! Come one fellow campers, whatever happened to picking up and leaving no trace?

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2019

    Boulder Beach Campground — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    Nice Blend of Shade & Sun on the Shores of Lake Mead

    After 4 glorious days kayak camping along the Black Canyon, we moved our basecamp to Boulder Beach and spent a couple of days getting reorganized to hit the road further north. Since the wind was too strong to get out on the lake, we opted to bike along the path that runs next to the campground.  This gorgeous path is well-utilized by area cycling groups, and they are some of the most courteous and safe cyclists we’ve ever come across. 

    Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and all the sites are paved and level.  Don't normally love paved campgrounds, but the wind is so strong at times that it would be a total dust storm without them. All sites have a nice view of Lake Mead, but there is no water access to the lake from the campground. The bathrooms have running water and are kept clean and well stocked, but there are no showers. Water spigots are scattered throughout the campground and there is a sewage dump for RV’s. Most of the sites are designed for large RV’s, but there were some tent campers there as well.

    Closest town is Boulder City, about 16 miles away, and has everything you need. There is strong cell service in the campground, and free wifi.

Guide to Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Tent camping near Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy the beautiful sunsets while camping at Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash, where the open space and lake views create a picturesque backdrop.
  • For those seeking solitude, Mid-Basin Cove provides a more secluded experience, allowing you to enjoy the beach and campfires without the crowds.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the abundant fish at Road Runner Cove, where you can catch large bass and carp while enjoying the serene surroundings.

Tent campers should check out the amenities

  • At Arizona Bay in Lake Mohave, you'll find essential amenities like drinking water, showers, and toilets, making it a convenient spot for families.
  • Valley of Fire Dispersed offers a unique camping experience with no amenities, allowing for a true back-to-nature feel while enjoying stunning rock formations.
  • For a more developed experience, Windy Point Campground features clean toilets and trash receptacles, ensuring a comfortable stay in a remote setting.

Tips for tent camping near Lake Mead National Recreation Area

  • Be prepared for rough roads when heading to Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash, as the access can be challenging but rewarding with beautiful views.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles, especially at Road Runner Cove, to help keep the area clean and enjoyable for future campers.
  • If you're looking for a quiet spot, consider Mid-Basin Cove, which is less frequented and perfect for those wanting to escape the noise of busier sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake Mead National Recreation Area?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake Mead National Recreation Area is Road Runner Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake Mead National Recreation Area?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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