The 5 Best Places to Camp in Nevada this Summer

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. Here are the 5 best places to camp in Nevada this summer!

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

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.

2. Great Basin National Park

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 100^th 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.

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

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.

4. Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town

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.

5. Cottonwood Cove Campground, Lake Mohave

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!

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