Best Campgrounds near Las Vegas, NV
Camping options surrounding Las Vegas, Nevada range from full-service RV resorts to primitive dispersed camping areas. The region includes established campgrounds like Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's Red Rock Campground, located about 20 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, and Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping in the Spring Mountains approximately 30 miles from downtown. Accommodations vary from developed RV parks with amenities such as Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort and Circus Circus RV Park directly on the Strip to free dispersed camping areas on public lands requiring no facilities or hookups.
Weather conditions significantly affect camping experiences in this desert environment, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F in lower elevations. Winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional freezing conditions at higher elevations. "It can be devastatingly hot no matter what time of year it is," noted one visitor to Clark County Shooting Park. Most developed RV parks in Las Vegas operate year-round with full hookups allowing air conditioning during hot months, while primitive camping areas like those in Lovell Canyon may require permits and have seasonal fire restrictions. Road access varies significantly between paved parking at urban RV parks and rough dirt roads leading to dispersed camping areas that may require high-clearance vehicles.
Several visitors mentioned location as a primary consideration when selecting Las Vegas camping areas. RV parks on or near the Strip provide convenient access to attractions but often lack natural settings. "It is just a parking lot, but there are a couple of spots with trees," explained one camper about Circus Circus RV Park, which offers full hookups within walking distance to casinos. Security concerns were frequently mentioned in reviews of urban campgrounds, with multiple reports recommending locking valuables. In contrast, dispersed camping in surrounding public lands offers more solitude and natural desert landscapes but requires self-sufficiency. The Clark County Shooting Park campground provides a unique mixed-use camping experience, combining RV sites with access to shooting facilities, though reviews note this creates a noisier environment not suited for those seeking peace and quiet.