Colleen P.
Traveler
TravelerBLM Knob Hill Primitive Camping
Great spot. Easy to find and easy road to get in. Wonderful views. Also, good cell coverage.
Best Dispersed Camping in Nevada
Nevada's abundant dispersed camping options cluster around Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Spring Mountains, and public lands near Winnemucca. Many sites like Stewart's Point, Valley of Fire Dispersed, and BLM areas west of Valley of Fire provide free camping with minimal amenities. Most locations permit campfires and allow pets, though facilities are limited with few offering toilets or water.
Road conditions vary significantly across sites. Access to Water Canyon Recreation Area and Government Wash accommodates larger vehicles, while Champion Road and Harris Springs require higher clearance. According to one visitor, "The road kinda sucks but VC is a good time. Please remember to pack everything out, there was a lot of trash I had to pick up." Many dispersed sites sit close to highways for convenient overnight stays. A camper noted that Goldfield Road is "very easy dirt road. Any vehicle could drive it. Far enough from the highway that it was quiet sleeping." Summer temperatures in lower elevations can be extreme, though higher-elevation sites in the Spring Mountains offer relief with temperatures 20-25 degrees cooler than Las Vegas.
Best Dispersed Campgrounds in Nevada (141)
1. Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain)
60 ReviewsBlue Diamond, NVWebsite+1 (702) 515-5000"Prefect place to get away from Vegas. Many places for camping and easy to pull a trailer. Main road mostly paved. Other roads were dirt but well maintained and manageable."
"There were plenty of people camping out here last night but we found a private turn off with epic Mountain View’s. Paved road with dirt road turn-offs. No facilities. Many spots had fire rings."
2. Water Canyon Recreation Area
49 ReviewsWinnemucca, NVWebsite+1 (775) 623-1500"BLM managed spot. Free with fire pits tables and bathrooms. Most spots not level- but free! Good places for quick hike and saw several deer"
"Our overnight stay in site#10 was very pleasant, and we had a nice hike up the trail before moving on the next day. "
3. Government Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
34 ReviewsNellis Air Force Base, NVWebsite"Okay so I am all for BLM, but people trashing areas are not ok! I love the new system they have built here It is still free, 14 days."
"Great spots for rv Close to lake Lots of people fishing Road is graded with camping spots or drive further rough road wild spots"
4. Stewart’s Point Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
31 ReviewsOverton, NVWebsite+1 (702) 293-8990"The ground going to the water is rutted and steep and soft sand in parts. We saw several trucks drive down there without any problems. The two miles off the highway is paved, but in poor condition."
"One of many dispersed camping spots on Lake Mead."
5. Valley of Fire Dispersed
29 ReviewsOverton, NVWebsite+1 (702) 515-5000"Some rough road getting in and to some of the spots, but popular area with lots of fairly flat spots and fire rings."
"When you turn off the paved road it is only half a mile to spacious level sites. No amenities. 5G Verizon. Very secluded."
6. Snowbird Mesa
25 ReviewsOverton, NVWebsite"We extended our boondocking by using our tote when we went to the state park and dumped in their RV dump. They have water too. Solar was greatly here. I would stay away in warmer seasons though."
"I spoke to the ranger and found out that checkout in the park was 2 pm. You pretty much have to catch someone leaving to get a spot in the park. We were relieved to find so many other options nearby."
7. Dave Deacon Campground - Wayne E Kirch Wildlife Management Area
24 ReviewsLund, NVWebsite+1 (775) 289-1655"We wanted to do some dispersed camping near basin and range nm...we couldnt find Basin and range national monument. Were barely able to turn around our rig and come back to this CG."
"Lots of dirt roads for hiking and biking. Hot Creek a mile away if you like hot spring soaking. Campground is large enough that people running generators were not too bothersome."
8. BLM dispersed camping west of Valley of Fire
20 ReviewsOverton, NVWebsite"We couldn't get a spot inside Valley of Fire State Park so we decided to boondock on the BLM land outside the park."
"There is a little dirt road that continues down, and we walked it but wouldn't recommend driving it unless you have a 4x4 and high clearance."
9. Champion Road Dispersed Campsites
19 ReviewsMount Charleston, NVWebsite"When you pull into the empty turn around and onto the dirt road you could be immediately disarmed."
"Everything else on the trail was kind of tight. It wasn’t terribly cold but it started snowing overnight! Woke up to 2 inches of snow and witnessed a gorgeous winter wonderland from my tent."
10. Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
17 ReviewsBullhead City, AZWebsite+1 (702) 293-8990"Beautiful area just outside of Laughlin, Nevada. Right on a Cove of Lake Mead. Four Mile unpaved Road to get down to the lake and anywhere between 15 to 20 camping spots depending on group size."
"Beautiful setting during the offseason, unless you’re into crowds as illustrated by Google Maps during the summer."
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos in Nevada
442 Photos of 141 Nevada Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Boxcar Cove Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Crawdad Cove Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Spring Rd. Dispersed
Sloan Canyon - Dispersed Camping
Catnip Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Dispersed Camping
BLM dispersed camping west of Valley of Fire
Dispersed camping at Mcr927512 Road
Dispersed Camping Reviews in Nevada
795 Reviews of 141 Nevada Campgrounds
- Betsy W.
RangerGoldfield Road Dispersed
Stayed a couple extra nights for the mine, donkeys, and views which were all great. Road was a bit rough but doable for all vehicles up to large rigs. Several spots along road. Pack in pack out. Verizon was great.
Ron K.
GuideLake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Nice Beach Camping
I hear this is like burning man in the summer with degrees soaring beyond 120. However in late October this place had only a half dozen campers spread out, so plenty of privacy. The lake is calm and good for swimming. There are coyotes howling at night. But the biggest attraction was the raccoons. Yeah, they came in trying to get the trash bag out. They hit everyone's campsite at 3am. Other than that excitement it was great. I would stop here again. The road in was easy as dirt roads go, however the ranger said they just updated it. So check with them for the latest. Since it is heavily traveled I would think they keep it looking better than most dirt roads.
- Ron K.Guide
Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Great spot when the weather is good
Guys, this is a wonderful place right off the highway. I hear it is bumper to bumper like burning man in the summer. But in October there were half a dozen people here with plenty of room in between. Note that raccoons are a huge issue here. Plan on it. They will come, trust me. They make their way from camp to camp and they are hard to get rid of. The ranger came by and chatted with us. Very easy road in. A couple steep places that are fine for most any rig I would think. Look, if you want a perfect road, don't go on dirt. They just fixed the road from the traffic in the summer.
Shawn S.
LegendRainbow Mountain Springs
Noisy
- TTeodor B.
ScoutSnowbird Mesa
Wide open with tons of space, some nice were crazy windy but others were calm. Enjoyed the stay here, try to arrive during the day to find the best camp site with your preferred view. The further in you go the road got a bit rougher
- Shawn S.Legend
Vanderbilt Pond Road
Great spot just out of town. Several people camped here. Back from the road so not too much road noise. Pond is a bonus feature.
- Shawn S.Legend
Tonopah, NV Dispersed Camping
Great overnight stop. No amenities, just gravel road on the side of the highway. Good for large rigs.
- Shawn S.Legend
Twenty Mile Beach Dispersed Camping
Beautiful area with tons of great dispensed camping options.
Guide to Nevada
Discover the beauty of Nevada's vast landscapes through dispersed camping, where you can enjoy nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of locations offering unique amenities and activities, Nevada is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Tips for free and dispersed camping in Nevada
- Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain) offers a peaceful environment with stunning views, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
- Water Canyon Recreation Area provides free camping with access to trails and a small creek, making it an ideal spot for hiking and exploring.
- Government Wash — Lake Mead National Recreation Area features amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable stay while enjoying the natural surroundings.
Top activities while free camping in Nevada
- Enjoy hiking and breathtaking scenery at Stewart’s Point Dispersed Camping — Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where you can explore the expansive landscapes and enjoy the tranquility of the area.
- Experience the unique hot springs at 12 Mile Hot Springs Dispersed Camping, where you can soak in natural thermal waters after a day of adventure.
- For those seeking solitude, Mack's Canyon Dispersed offers a serene environment with stunning views, perfect for stargazing and enjoying the quiet of nature.
Unique features of Nevada's dispersed camping spots
- Valley of Fire Dispersed is known for its incredible rock formations and vibrant colors, making it a photographer's paradise.
- BLM dispersed camping west of Valley of Fire provides ample space and beautiful views, ideal for those looking to camp away from the crowds.
- Spencer Hot Springs offers a unique experience with multiple hot spring pools, surrounded by stunning desert landscapes and wildlife.
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