Dispersed camping opportunities surround Mesquite, Nevada at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 3,000 feet, with the desert landscape transitioning from flatlands to rugged canyons. The area sits at the junction of three states—Nevada, Arizona, and Utah—creating diverse jurisdictions for campers to navigate. Most dispersed sites require visitors to pack out all waste, as trash facilities aren't available outside established campgrounds.
What to do
Rock climbing access: Cedar Pockets Pass Road offers routes to climbing areas. "More details on our blog: http://workingonexploring.com/2021/06/21/camping-arizona-cedar-pocket-road/" notes one Cedar Pockets Pass Road - Dispersed Camping visitor who found "decent T-Mobile LTE service" and "star studded night" views.
Fishing opportunities: Head to Sand Hollow for bass fishing. "Sand Hollow has great large mouth bass fishing and beautiful red rock scenery," reports a reviewer at Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park.
Night sky viewing: The low light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Almost no light pollution. You can see so many stars at night," mentions a camper about Solstice Motorcoach Resort, noting the "killer view" as a major attraction.
Hiking trails: The Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area provides trail access. "There are plenty of hiking trails in the campground and on the blm area across I-15. We stayed 5 nights and really enjoyed it," says a reviewer from Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area Campground (BLM).
What campers like
Desert landscape contrasts: The red rock formations against blue water create striking visuals. "Sand Hollow State Park Camping is such a good time. The summer nights by the beach camping out with your people and your dogs is one of my favorites," shares one camper who appreciated the "mostly clean" beach area.
Accessibility from major routes: Many sites offer convenient stopover locations. "There are beautiful views. Lots of flat space parking. No amenities and some freeway noise," explains a reviewer at Virgin River Camp, highlighting the trade-off between convenience and tranquility.
Casino proximity: Several RV parks connect directly to casino resorts. "Access to resort amenities is included. Nice pool with a slide for the kiddos, although a monsoon storm cut our pool time short," notes a Casa Blanca Resort Casino visitor who appreciated the "nice place to stay for the price."
Mountain views: Many sites offer panoramic desert vistas. "There is a restaurant in the park that has decent food. They have a place to rent sea doos, boats, UTVs, etc," reports a camper who rated their experience highly despite some concerns about the restaurant.
What you should know
Road conditions vary drastically: Cedar Pockets requires appropriate vehicles. "At one point the road is very rocky and the erosion is deep. Good to have a multi-terrain vehicle like our 4RunnerOffRoadPremium which has easily handled the ruggedness of this trail," advises a camper from Cedar Pockets Pass Road.
Seasonal closures occur: Check availability before arrival. "Closed still!!! Keep trying to get here and for sure thought this time it was open. But it's not!!!" reported a frustrated visitor to Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area Campground.
Payment systems can be problematic: Limited cell service affects online payment options. "You have to pay for camping online. If you want a first come site, you have to scan a q code at the entrance... Except there is only 1 bar of t-mobile cell service and it's almost impossible to complete the transaction," explains a reviewer.
Overnight parking regulations: Some areas have strict rules. "$1 an hour to park, pay at gas station/convenience store. Lots of trucks, so it is loud. Lots of room," notes a Virgin Valley Food Mart visitor, describing the paid parking lot option.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Choose upper campsites for better views. "The campground is on a hill, the spaces at the top have the best view, the lower spaces are below the level of the reservoir so don't have a water view," advises a Sand Hollow camper about selecting optimal spots.
Shower access planning: Limited facilities require alternatives. "No pool, but there is a rec center nearby that you can buy a day or week pass to use," notes a reviewer from Sun Resorts RV Park, providing a practical solution for families needing shower facilities.
Water safety awareness: Swimmer's itch affects some visitors. "The lake is fun. The bad? It is VERY hot in the summer, and the shoreline of the lake has a bad case of the Swimmer's Itch," warns a Westside Campground visitor.
Noise considerations: Traffic sounds impact sleep quality. "It's going to be nosey from where it's located but in an RV it should not be a problem. The constant flow of traffic could be soothing to some," suggests a Cedar Pockets Pass Road camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Sand Hollow sites offer flexible utility connections. "The pull throughs are long, room enough for slides on both sides, and have 2 hookups per site.... So no matter where you park, you can reach one of the set ups. Cable however is only on the rear hookup," details a Sun Resorts RV Park visitor.
Age restrictions apply: Some parks limit older RVs. "They said RVs had to be 10 years or newer. So why wasn't I just asked what year it was. It would have saved me a lot of time," warns a disappointed prospective guest about restrictions at one resort.
Provisioning convenience: Nearby grocery access simplifies resupply. "Smith's grocery (Kroger) is right next door as is Domino's and Starbucks," notes a Sun Resorts visitor who appreciated the convenience during an extended stay while waiting for an AC repair.
Internet reliability: Connectivity varies between parks. "WIFI was surprisingly good, not something I find at most rv parks, especially in a back row. Cell signal on Visible & ATT was strong," reports a camper, providing essential information for those needing to stay connected.
