The 5 Best Places to Camp in Nevada This Summer

Written by Cindy Rasmussen
Updated: June 22, 2023
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You may think of Nevada as one hot desert, not ideal for camping, but you might be surprised there are many oases of lakes, caves and cool mountain tops that offer some spectacular camping. If you also want to stop by Vegas for some entertainment and fun, there are also campgrounds right in the city. Take a look at what’s available:

Keep reading for more information about the 5 best places to camp in Nevada this summer!

1. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boulder Beach Campground/Lake Mead RV Village

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area was the first ever National Recreation Area in The U.S

©CrackerClips Stock Media/Shutterstock.com

In the whole country, Lake Mead National Recreation Area was the first ever National Recreation Area. Those who visited knew this area needed to be protected and preserved for future generations like ours! Lake Mead is an enormous lake that spreads over to Arizona and is created from the Colorado River coming through the Grand Canyon. The famous Hoover Dam is what pools the water just above the dam to create Lake Mead. There are multiple campgrounds throughout the park on the Nevada side and the Arizona side. In Nevada, one of the best places to camp this summer is the Boulder Beach Campground. Be aware that this summer (2022) Lake Mead, Lake Powell and other area waterways are experiencing unprecedented low levels do to an ongoing drought, so check the website before making reservations.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Location35 miles east of Vegas, on the Nevada/Arizona border
Nearest CityHenderson, NV
Boulder Beach Campground150 sites, spacious, paved, fire pit, grill, picnic table,
restrooms and water onsite, walk to Boulder Beach
Lake Mead RV Village115 full hookup RV sites, restrooms, showers, laundry,
camp store, bocce ball, walk to Boulder Beach
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestShort walk down to Boulder Beach right on Lake Mead!

2. Great Basin National Park

Parachute shield cave formations in Lehman Caves in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park

One of the best places to camp in Nevada this summer is the Great Basin National Park. The Lehman Caves are celebrating their 100 year anniversary!

©William Cushman/Shutterstock.com

Hike to the summit of Wheeler Park, explore the Lehman Caves, or stay up a little later to view the night sky at the Great Basin Astronomy. You will want to plan a several day trip to enjoy all that the Great Basin National Park has to offer. This summer the park is celebrating the 100th anniversary of tourism at the Lehman Caves! Definitely one of the best places to camp in Nevada this summer! There are six campgrounds to choose from throughout the National Park with many options from backcountry camping to RV camping with full hookups.

Great Basin National Park
LocationEast Central Nevada, near the Utah border
Nearest CityBaker, NV
Lower Lehman Creek Campground11 sites, a couple with pull-though RV, no potable water, vault toilets
Upper Lehman Creek Campground23 sites, all tent sites except one, next to cool mountain stream,
no potable water, vault toilets
Wheeler Peak Campground37 tent sites, high elevation camping, no potable water, vault toilets, gets cool
Baker Creek Campground37 tent sites, no potable water, vault toilets, no reservations needed
Grey Cliffs Campground16 sites (4 are group sites) no potable water, vault toilets,
Snake Creek Campground12 tent sites, along the Snake Creek River, no potable water, vault toilets
AmenitiesVault Toilets
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsSome yes, others first come first serve
What makes it one of the bestCamping near the Lehman caves and amazing Wheeler Peak!

3. Lake Tahoe/Washoe Lake, Washoe Lake State Park

Lake Tahoe Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Just NE of Lake Tahoe is the Washoe Lake State Park where you can camp and enjoy several of the nearby parks.

©iStock.com/CelsoDiniz

If you want to spend time at the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tahoe there are several camping options. Many people enjoy the Sand Harbor area of Lake Tahoe State Park, but there is no camping allowed on this eastern side of the lake. Just NE of this area is another smaller lake that makes for a great home-base for exploring the Lake Tahoe area. Washoe Lake State Park has a campground has 49 sites including some RV sites with water and electric. Watch for Bald Eagle or American white pelicans in the park and try your hand at fishing for channel catfish, bullheads, white bass and perch. Take a day trip to the cool waters of Lake Tahoe which is only 30 miles away.

Washoe Lake State Park
LocationBetween Reno and Carson City
Nearest CityCarson City, NV
RV/Tent Sites49 sites, some with electric and water
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers,
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes, limit of 7 days every 30-days
What makes it one of the bestEnjoy both Washoe Lake and Lake Tahoe with beautiful
views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains!

4. Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town

Just east of the Vegas Strip is the LAs Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town. Walk to casinos, restaurants and shows!

©iStock.com/RandyAndy101

One of the best places to camp in Nevada this summer has to be close to “City that Never Sleeps” downtown Las Vegas! Staying at the Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town will give you the best of both worlds. All the amenities of a campground including RV sites as well as access to a full casino hotel right next door! Not exactly getting back to nature, there are a lot of sites in this “parking lot” style campground, but it also has two pools and hot tubs, communal BBQ area and you can walk to a food court, movie theatre and casino! You are really right in the mix of everything.

Las Vegas KOA
LocationEast side of central Las Vegas
Nearest CityLas Vegas, NV
RV/Tent SitesYes, some with full hookups, some have a patio
Picnic Tables at each siteSome have picnic tables, some have patio furniture
Fire Pit at each siteNo
AmenitiesRestrooms, showers, laundry, dog park,
Pet FriendlyYes! Some sites have a personal grassed enclosure
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestWalk home to your campsite after a fun night on the town in Vegas!

5. Cottonwood Cove Campground, Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave Nevada

The Cottonwood Cove Campground and Marina is definitely one of the best places to camp in Nevada this summer. Bring your RV or rent a houseboat for something unique!

©Norm Lane/Shutterstock.com

If you want to stay right near Lake Mohave then the Cottonwood Cove Campground and Marina is the best place to stay in Nevada this summer! There are 34 full hookup RV sites. For something truly unique, rent one of the houseboats, each with a slide! There are 2 bedroom houseboats that sleep 6 and the largest, 4 bedroom houseboats that sleep 12. The campground has access to the waterfront beaches all along the south shore, so very convenient. There are restrooms on-site and a marina store and café. What a fun way to spend your time in Nevada!

Cottonwood Cove Campground
LocationSE corner of Nevada
Nearest CityRiviera, NV
RV Sites34 full hookup RV sites
Tent Sites0
Houseboat RentalYes! 50’-70’, 2 bedroom sleeps 6, 4 bedroom sleeps 12
Picnic Tables at each siteYes
Fire Pit at each siteYes
AmenitiesRestrooms, coin laundry, marina store and cafe
Pet FriendlyYes
ReservationsYes
What makes it one of the bestDesert camping on the beautiful oasis of Lake Mohave!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Arlene Waller/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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