Tent camping near North Las Vegas, Nevada offers access to elevations ranging from desert floor to 6,200 feet in the surrounding mountains. The region experiences temperature swings of 20-30°F between lower and higher elevation sites, with summer temperatures often exceeding 100°F in valley locations. Winter camping brings freezing overnight temperatures to mountain sites while valley floors remain milder.
What to do
Kayaking at Lake Mead: Eight Mile Dispersed Camping near Government Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides access to water activities. "We Camp in the roofnest tent and Kayaking the next morning. What a epic experience," reports one visitor. The area offers clear water where you can "see decent sized fish in the shallows."
Mountain hiking: Higher elevation camping at Desert Pass Campground offers cooler temperatures and hiking opportunities. "The surrounding area was beautiful and there were plenty of stars at night," notes a camper who visited in March. Trails around the Mormon Mountains provide moderate difficulty hikes with minimal crowds.
Stargazing: Valley dispersed sites offer exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Dark, quiet, flat and easy to get to," describes one camper about Valley of Fire Dispersed camping. Sites further from city lights provide better astronomical viewing, particularly during new moon phases.
What campers like
Cooler mountain temperatures: Escaping summer heat motivates many campers to seek higher elevations. "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," reports one reviewer about Desert Pass Campground.
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer significant space between campsites. At Mack's Canyon Dispersed Camping, "The sites themselves are quite spacious, which is a big plus if you're setting up multiple tents or bringing along larger vehicles and gear."
Wildlife viewing: While not abundant, wildlife sightings do occur. One camper at Mack's Canyon Dispersed reports seeing "my first mountain lion here! So crazy. Strange too because I've been there so many times and never even see deer really."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to most tent camping sites requires careful vehicle consideration. At Valley of Fire Dispersed, campers note "Some rough road getting in and to some of the spots" while another mentions finding "a flat spot next to a fire ring after traveling down a bumpy road."
Water requirements: No running water exists at most dispersed sites. "There is NO RUNNING WATER. Be prepared to bring your own if you are staying for any length of time," warns a camper about Desert Pass. Plan for 1-2 gallons per person per day in cooler weather, and 2-3 gallons in summer heat.
Insects vary by season: Higher elevation sites may have seasonal insect activity. One Desert Pass Campground visitor warns, "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!"
Tips for camping with families
Find sites with natural boundaries: For families with small children, look for camping spots with natural containment. At Carpenter Canyon, one camper notes, "There's a beautiful little stream with fish in it!" providing both entertainment and a natural boundary.
Pack extra shade: Many dispersed sites lack natural shade. "I dragged it to those rocks and I've been back four times and use it. I just throw some blankets over it and instantly have shade," mentions one resourceful camper at Road Runner Cove about repurposing an abandoned EZ-up.
Choose higher elevations in summer: When tent camping North Las Vegas, Nevada with children during summer months, higher elevations provide more comfortable temperatures. Desert Pass Campground sits at 6,200 feet where "the elevation makes a huge difference in temperature—what feels awful and unbearable in the valley becomes a refreshing and comfortable summer retreat here."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for vehicle size: Most dispersed areas have limitations for larger RVs. At Valley of Fire Dispersed, one RVer notes "This is a quick easy location to get to off the interstate. There's tons of places to pull off and set up camp. RV friendly and good cell phone service."
Leveling challenges: Many tent camping areas near North Las Vegas have uneven terrain. At Mack's Canyon, "The terrain can be rocky and is almost always uneven, with limited flat ground, so finding a truly level spot for a tent can take some extra effort."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies dramatically between locations. One camper at Desert Pass Campground warns, "There is NO CELLULAR SERVICE" while Eight Mile Road offers "Cell signal is booming @ this site, more so than Govt Wash which is across the way."
