Near Sloan, Nevada, desert camping temperatures regularly reach 100°F during summer months while winter nights can drop below freezing. The Mojave Desert terrain features rocky outcrops, Joshua trees, and sparse vegetation with limited natural shade throughout most pet-friendly camping areas. Campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of Sloan offer varying terrain from urban resort-style facilities to primitive dispersed sites.
What to do
Hike Lovell Canyon trails: Accessible from Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping, these trails provide cooler temperatures than valley locations. "I often stop here when I'm near Vegas. It's mostly quiet except for holiday weekends. Places to hike and wonderful views. No amenities, pack it in and Pack it out," notes Beverley G.
Visit Lake Mead beaches: Kingman Wash offers water access for paddleboarding and swimming. "The water is great and is perfect for my paddleboard! Weather wise be prepared for the heat. It was 101°F when we arrived, 80° at night. Bring lots of water to drink!" advises camper Peaches E.
Mini golf at RV resorts: Several campgrounds offer on-site activities. At Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort, you'll find "an 18 hole mini golf course, restaurant, and mini mart onsite. Easy taxi or uber ride to the strip. Not scenic by any means but comfortable, safe, quiet, and secure location," according to Matt I.
What campers like
Off-strip locations: Many campers prefer staying away from the main tourist areas. "Located next to a casino and a short drive to the strip, this KOA has friendly staff and nice facilities. It's also across the street from a Walmart for anything you forgot," explains Angela H. about Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam's Town.
Cooler elevations: The higher altitude at Red Rock Canyon offers relief from summer heat. Niko L. says, "This place is clean, a bit noisy, and very busy. I don't remember hearing the gun range in the past but heard it each time I stayed recently (8 nights Mar-May)."
Swimming pools: During hot weather, pool access becomes essential. "We stayed near the laundry and shower/bathroom station and initially concerned about foot traffic but had very little. The place is kept clean and the pool was great, especially to cool down to beat the Las Vegas heat," writes Mayu at Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort.
What you should know
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Access to natural areas requires preparation. At Kingman Wash, "The road is about 3 miles, but takes about 25 minutes to traverse. It's hilly, bumpy and holey. High clearance vehicle suggested, but we made it in a Kia Soul!" shares Amy G.
Security considerations: Casino campgrounds often offer enhanced security. "This RV park is gated with a person at the gate 24/7. The restrooms were very clean and the swimming pool was not crowded at all," reports Andrew W. about Las Vegas RV Resort.
Wildlife encounters: Some areas have unique animal residents. At Kingman Wash, "We had a good time here. We had two burros that visited us (please don't feed them!) and were a delightful change of wildlife from the bears and deer we are used to back home. You could hear them 'talking' near the water later that eve."
Tips for camping with families
Age restrictions apply: Not all campgrounds welcome children. "Not family friendly at all!! You must be 18 or older to come here so it's cool for people without kids or families," warns Brittney C. about Las Vegas RV Resort.
Consider shoulder seasons: Extreme summer heat makes outdoor activities difficult with children. "Early morning or evening walks are best during summer months when ground temperatures can exceed 140°F by midday, making it unsafe for children's activities on asphalt or sand," advises a local ranger.
Book casino RV parks with amenities: Red Rock Canyon Campground provides a natural setting with recreational options. One camper notes, "love this campground!!!! A lot of nice hikes to go on and things to see. Always very clean and quiet as well! Just be careful if it's windy as the dust can kick up pretty bad."
Tips from RVers
Level site challenges: Many parks require significant leveling equipment. "Our spot was very hard to get level in even with auto level.. we had SO many leveling blocks under the back," reports Alyssa S. about Thousand Trails Las Vegas.
Tight spacing concerns: Site dimensions vary dramatically between campgrounds. "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, therefore, they were unable to extend their awning," explains a reviewer at Thousand Trails.
Electrical demands: Summer temperatures require reliable power. "They do upcharge a few bucks if you are using 50amp," notes a camper, important information when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F and air conditioners run continuously during daylight hours.
