Best Tent Camping near Las Vegas, NV

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the heat and bustle of Las Vegas, this campsite Desert Pass in the Mormon Pass is the perfect getaway. 

Just a short drive away, you’re instantly transported into cooler mountain air surrounded by beautiful pine and juniper trees. The elevation makes a huge difference in temperature—what feels awful and unbearable in the valley becomes a refreshing and comfortable summer retreat here. 

The site itself is well-maintained, with clean and convenient pit toilets that make camping much more pleasant for families. The grounds are spacious, with plenty of room to spread out and set up camp comfortably. The trees not only provide shade but also add to the serene, scenic setting. Be smart, bring water, there is NO water available at this location. During the summer months also be cautious of the bees. We had a MASSIVE presence of bees once we brought the water and cups out, they are just as thirsty as you are up there! 

Whether you’re relaxing at camp, exploring the trails, or just enjoying the cooler mountain air, this spot offers the kind of quiet and beauty that feels like it’s worlds away, even though it’s only about 25 miles from Las Vegas. 

A great location for families, adventurers, or anyone wanting a quick but refreshing reset in nature!

If you like camping this is a must go to spot. Landscape is unlike any other, millions of years of erosion to create a breathtaking environment. They have both tent sites and RV sites. It does cost but there’s a self kiosk you can pay at. You can’t go wrong with any spot to camp at but the one’s towards the back were better in my opinion. They do have three spots in the back that are tents only that are pretty sweet spots. But overall it was a experience I will never forget and I will definitely be returning multiple times, especially since it’s only an hour away from Las Vegas. 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can take that heat from Vegas and completely forget you are in Nevada when you travel just outside the city and to McWilliams Campground and Mount Charleston area. But because of this break in the heat all summer you have to make reservations, even though they say there are walk up sites I wouldn't suggest banking on them to be there.

This campground is dry camping but with the setting of the mountains it hardly seems like any kind of inconvenience. There is a nice bathroom facility here without showers but plenty good for enjoying this place it is heated which makes for a lot better user experience especially I assume during winter months.

When I was there I saw a lot of RVs and Tents alike all pulled into spots and comfortable. While I didn't seem boxed in and overcrowded I did speak to someone who said when it is filled with more RVs it tends to get a little claustrophobic feeling.

Sleeping in a tent here I noticed that I could hear my neighbors pretty easily until around 11 p.m. after that it got pretty quiet and short of a few animal noises here and there it was silent. Temperatures dipped considerably at night so even though it was summer, in a tent I was finding I needed a little more cover than expected and pulled out the sleeping bag for some warmth.

Something I loved about this site was the set up for campers with the fire ring and table. The slab around the ring gives you a flat surface if you have camp chairs and also allows you do better manage your space and keep debris out of your fire.

TIPS:

• Bring a light or headlamp. Not sure if it really doesn't have light or if it was just burned out, I didn't check again, but the bathroom was dark at night so you want to have a way to see.
• Bring Cash or Check they didn't accept cards for the $25 nightly fee.

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.