Locally known as Bombo's Pond, this dispersed BLM site sits just off US-95 outside Beatty, roughly five minutes from town services including fuel, groceries, and water. No permit is required to camp here, though fees apply and vary. The layout divides naturally into two areas: a large flat dirt lot near the entrance that handles RVs and big rigs without much maneuvering, and a secondary area reached by bearing left down toward the water, which several campers describe as feeling more like a group site. A third road to the right dead-ends at a deep wash, passable on foot but not by vehicle.
The pond is the defining feature. It's larger than first-time visitors tend to expect, ringed with trees and water plants, and home to ducks, coots, bullfrogs, and birds. Wild burros roam freely throughout the area and have grown accustomed to people, sometimes approaching within a few feet. One reviewer notes they should not be fed, as habituation raises the risk of aggressive behavior. At night, the frogs croak and the burros bray. It is not a quiet spot in the conventional sense, but the highway noise drops off considerably during sleeping hours.
Cell coverage is limited. T-Mobile users report one bar even with a signal booster, so plan accordingly if you need connectivity. The site has no formal amenities, though campfires and pets are permitted. Nearby alternatives include Vanderbilt Rd. Dispersed about a mile north, and Fluorspar Wash Road BLM Dispersed — Bare Mountain to the east for those wanting more separation from the highway corridor. For a full hookup option, Death Valley Inn & RV Park is also close by.
Letha F. notes "lots of trees, water plants, and birds," and the site works reasonably well across rig sizes, though a 28-foot Class C required careful maneuvering near the lower area. Heat builds fast by late May, making spring and fall the more comfortable windows for an overnight stay. Bring everything you need from Beatty before pulling in.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsVanderbilt Pond Road is located in Nevada near Beatty
Coordinates
36.88263607 N
116.7542288 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 7/31/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 29 usersLast on 7/31/26- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 7/31/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 7/31/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 29 usersLast on 7/31/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 7/31/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Vanderbilt Pond Road needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 25 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 51 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 4 hrs 53 min from Visalia, CA
- 5 hrs 1 min from Hanford, CA
