Dispersed camping near Searchlight, Nevada extends beyond the main BLM areas, with several free sites offering varying desert experiences throughout the Mojave. At an elevation of approximately 3,500 feet, the area experiences milder temperatures than Las Vegas during winter months, making October through April the optimal camping season. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F with limited shade options at most sites.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: At BLM Knob Hill Primitive Camping, the dark skies provide excellent night viewing. One camper noted there was "more light pollution than we expected" but still called it "a hidden gem" for its proximity to Vegas and LA.
Geocaching adventures: Explore the desert through geocaching treasure hunts. A visitor at Knob Hill mentioned they "walked trails and geocached" during their stay, finding it "extremely quiet" with barely seeing another person.
Wildlife observation: Watch for wild burros throughout the Lake Mohave area. At Kingman Wash, campers report regular burro sightings: "We had two that visited us (please don't feed them!) and were a delightful change of wildlife... You could hear them 'talking' near the water later that eve."
What campers like
Desert solitude: Many dispersed sites offer significant privacy. A camper at Knob Hill BLM Dispersed Camping appreciated how the location is "not heavily used" and noted it was "45 minutes from Vegas, so that isn't terrible if you want to go into the city itself."
Crystal clear water: Lake Mohave's water quality stands out to visitors. At Pot Cove in Lake Mohave, one camper praised the "crystal clear water" despite the "18 miles on a dirt road" required to access it, adding the road is "very easy to maneuver and any vehicle can get there."
No reservation hassles: Free camping near Searchlight offers flexibility without planning ahead. A visitor to Six Mile Cove Shoreline Camping described it as "open beach camping," though they warned about the "long bumpy road to get to (20 min of driving ruts)."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful driving. At Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove, a camper warned that "the road in is all dirt and there are a couple of washes that could cause trouble for longer trailers with low clearance," despite calling it "a beautiful spot on the lake."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is inconsistent throughout the region. One visitor to Six Mile Cove reported "No ATT service (with booster) otherwise would have stayed," while others at different locations mention adequate coverage.
Waste management challenges: Many sites show evidence of overuse. A visitor to Carp Cove found it "pretty trashy, which is a shame" despite being "a quiet, remote spot accessible by car if you drive slowly and the road isn't washed out."
Seasonal considerations: Weather dramatically affects the camping experience. A reviewer at Dispersed-jean/roach Dry Lakes advised, "Check the weather before coming here for both winds and rain. If you are going to experience rain make your selection of site wisely a bit further away from the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access points: Lake Mohave offers family-friendly water activities. One camper at Telephone Cove appreciated that the "shallow water is great for kids and dogs" and mentioned the "no wake zone for swimming."
Bathroom availability: Know where facilities exist before bringing children. At Kingman Wash, a camper noted, "There IS a bathroom here! Very rare for dispersed camping... a vault toilet with a door (take your own TP) and there is men's and women's sides. Even a trash can."
Site selection for tent camping: When camping with children, choosing flat ground is essential. A Kingman Wash visitor advised that "close to the water you may be on a slope if you are not sleeping in a van or RV. But up higher (we could see the water, but were up the hill) it was flat for a tent. No issues."
Supply runs: Plan for necessary town trips. A camper at Knob Hill noted "in searchlight there is a corner store beef jerky and a gas station as well as a McDonald's. In case you need anything that's the nearest town and it's about a 20-25 minute drive."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: RV length restrictions apply at many sites. At Telephone Cove, a camper advised "do not recommend trying to take anything bigger than a 35 ft RV down there" despite noting "beautiful area just outside of Laughlin, Nevada."
Road scouting: Check road conditions before committing to remote sites. A visitor to Knob Hill shared they found "a great spot out Wee Thump Rd about 1.5 miles of the highway" that was "decent for our 2 wheel drive 31" motorhome" with sites that were "quite large. Great for any size vehicle."
Power considerations: No hookups exist at any dispersed sites near Searchlight. An experienced RVer noted that in the desert areas, "there is plenty of sunshine to keep your solar panels full," making these locations more viable for properly equipped rigs.
Terrain awareness: Watch for changing ground conditions. One RVer cautioned to "stay on 'roads' with your RV, some of the area, despite being hard packed also has a quick transition to a shifting sand, unless you are equipped for off roading try to avoid these areas."
