Mount Charleston camping options sit at elevations reaching over 7,000 feet, providing a stark temperature contrast to nearby Las Vegas. Summer temperatures typically run 20-25 degrees cooler than the valley floor, making it a popular escape during hot months. Camping availability varies significantly by season, with many dispersed camping areas closing during winter months due to snow conditions.
What to do
Shooting sports access: 10 minutes from Las Vegas. Clark County Shooting Park offers RV camping with full hookups directly on the shooting complex property. "This shooting complex is a great facility for the gun and archery enthusiast, and has level, full hookup, pull through sites with a great view of the Las Vegas valley, at a tremendous value," notes Tod S. The complex includes rifle, pistol, archery, skeet, trap, and sport clay shooting.
Golf and desert activities: 45 minutes from Strip. Preferred RV Resort in Pahrump offers proximity to desert recreation. "Very well maintained park. The bathrooms and laundry room were very clean. Showers were hot and clean," reports Rob D. The resort provides a community garden, enclosed pool area, and various outdoor activities.
Boating and water recreation: Short walk to lake. Lakeside Casino & RV Resort features lakefront RV spots with direct water access. "You can get lakefront RV spots which are so cool if you have a little canoe kayak anything and just jump on the lake and enjoy your day," explains Brittney C. The property includes volleyball courts, swimming pool, and multiple fire pits along the beach area.
What campers like
Year-round accessibility: Open when mountain sites close. Las Vegas area RV parks remain operational throughout winter months when Mount Charleston camping becomes limited by snow. "Sites are all FHU concrete pads with gravel parking. Very level sites that give you more yard than most campgrounds," writes Wesley M. about Lakeside Casino & RV Resort.
Security features: Gated entry with 24-hour monitoring. Wine Ridge RV Resort offers secured access in Pahrump. "It's a well kept, gated community which includes cabins, cottages, pools, pickle-ball courts and organized community events like bingo, free waffle breakfast a few days per week," according to Jessica M. The streets are paved with concrete slab patios at each site.
Proximity to services: Walking distance to amenities. Campgrounds near Las Vegas frequently offer convenience stores, gas stations, and casinos within walking distance. "Has fishing, pool, disc golf, casino, and gas station. Lots to do and everything you need that is walkable," notes T K. about Lakeside Casino & RV Resort.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly. While valley locations maintain strong signals, higher elevations experience reduced connectivity. "We barely had cell service the whole time (T-Mobile) and there is no free WiFi, it's extra," reports Alyssa S. about Thousand Trails Las Vegas. Consider downloading offline maps before heading to higher elevation sites.
Site spacing concerns: Tight arrangements common. Many Las Vegas area RV parks maximize capacity with minimal space between units. "The spaces are very tight together partially because the occupants don't follow the site lines on the ground. We saw several that parked on the line and extended their slide outs into the area of the next RV'er," explains Lyf Uninterrupted about Thousand Trails Las Vegas.
Age restrictions: Some adults-only properties. Several RV parks implement age minimums for guests. "Not family friendly at all!! You must be 18 or older to come here so it's cool for people without kids or families," cautions Brittney C. about Las Vegas RV Resort. Always verify age policies before booking if traveling with children.
Tips for camping with families
Verify tent camping availability: Call ahead to confirm. Despite online listings, some properties may not actually accommodate tent campers. "This is a PSA for anyone trying to find tent reservations on their website. You won't find it despite the description saying it has them available," warns Timothy P. about Lakeside Casino & RV Resort. Always call directly to confirm tent sites.
Pool availability: Seasonal operation varies. Swimming facilities may close without notice for repairs or seasonal maintenance. "Pool was closed until further notice," notes Paulina B. at Thousand Trails Las Vegas. When traveling with children during summer months, confirm pool status before booking as temperatures regularly exceed 100°F.
Wildlife awareness: Desert animals and insects. Circus Circus RV Park and other locations may present encounters with desert wildlife. "Our site was Site #1 and though I thought being close to the dumpsters was super convenient, so did swarms of carpenter ants," reports Lane H. Pack appropriate repellents and inspect sites upon arrival.
Tips from RVers
Military options: Base access for eligible veterans. Desert Eagle RV Park at Nellis Air Force Base offers substantial savings for qualified military personnel. "You will not need to tie down anything loose around your site for fear of being stolen here. Obviously reasons being on a military base," explains T K. All spaces feature mature trees, full hookups, and increased security.
Propane services: Limited availability schedule. Some parks offer propane refill services on specific days only. "Propane is also for sale here for $3.75/gal for non members, RV tanks filled on Tuesdays only," notes Laura M. about Preferred RV Resort. Always plan refills accordingly and ask about cylinder exchanges as an alternative option.
Noise factors: Aircraft patterns affect certain areas. Las Vegas valley campgrounds experience varying levels of aircraft noise. "Sleeping in can be difficult though, after 7am expect to hear planes, helicopters or jets starting to take off," warns T K. about Desert Eagle RV Park. Consider noise-canceling options if planning extended stays near flight paths.
