Nevada RV Camping And Campgrounds

RV Camping and Campgrounds In Nevada

RV camping in Nevada offers a wide range of great destinations. RV parks are located throughout the state. From desert and mountain campgrounds to the bright lights of Las Vegas, you should have no trouble finding the perfect camping location. The Humbolt-Toiyabe is the largest National Forest in the lower 48 states, and offer the RV boondocker wonderful remote camping experiences. BLM encourages dispersed camping (boondocking) as well, and Nevada has over 47 million acres available.

Private RV Parks And Campgrounds

• Private RV Parks - Research tool for finding the best private RV parks and campgrounds in Nevada.

Federal RV Camping

• National Park Service - NPS information about camping on National Park Service administered lands in Nevada.
• US Forest Service - USFS information about National Forests in Nevada. Great dispersed RV camping sites as well as many developed campgrounds.
• Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about BLM administered lands in Nevada. LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area) information as well as dispersed RV camping and developed campgrounds.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about Corps lakes and campgrounds in Nevada.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada. Not all refuges permit camping, so check NWR for regulations ahead of arrival.

State RV Camping

• Nevada State Parks - Mountain and desert state operated campgrounds offer great RV camping destinations.
• Nevada Department Of Wildlife - Information about Nevada Wildlife Areas. Many allow RV camping. Clickable map.
• Nevada State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Nevada. Includes RV camping suggestions.

Campground Reservations

• Camping Reservations - Make your campground reservation at Nevada State and Federal campgrounds and have your campsite waiting for you when you arrive.

Nevada RV Dump Stations

• RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Nevada.
• Sanidumps.com - Nevada RV dumps listed by town.

Nevada Free RV Camping And Boondocking

Free RV camping locations are available almost everywhere in Nevada. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) alone administers 67% of Nevada's land area. The USFS (US Forest Service) and NPS (National Park Service) also have large areas of public land they administer available for free RV camping. Free RV camping locations are usually primitive which means there are no RV hookups.

ALAMO
Near Alamo is the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. RV camping as well as hiking and fishing.

AUSTIN
24 miles east of Austin is the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area. Free RV camping with no water or dump facilities.

BATTLE MOUNTAIN
20 miles south of Battle Mountain is the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Mill Creek Recreation Area. This campground offers 11 tent camp sites, three RV sites, two accessible sites, one dual accessible vault-type toilet, day use area, tables, and grills. Open year round. There is no drinking water and no fee.

BEATTY
While mostly located in California, Death Valley National Park also sits inside Nevada near Beatty. Regulated free RV camping (boondocking) is at permitted within the park.

EUREKA
25 miles east of Eureka gets you to the turnoff for the BLM Tonkin Spring Recreation Area. 35 more miles of maintained gravel road will get you to free RV camping at the recreation area. Contact the Battle Mountain BLM District Office for more information. Very remote area.

INDIAN SPRINGS
Northwest of Las Vegas is the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. This 1.5 million acre offers RV camping opportunities in a desert environment. Check their web site for details and Refuge maps.

LAUGHLIN
Traditionally free RV camping has been allowed in several of the Casino's in Laughlin. Recently, there has been a dispute about the legality of this. There are different rules being followed than in previous years, and should be posted in the casino parking lots.

MESQUITE
BLM managed primitive camping east of Mesquite. Click Here for more information and directions.

NELSON
South of Nelson is BLM's Knob Hill managed primitive camping area. Click Here for more information and directions.

OVERTON
HWY-169 heading south from of town...

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) land about 8 miles south of town both sides of road on top of mesa. Any size RV with no facilities. Easy to find. This area is within the extreme NW boundary of the NRA. Editors Note...This area is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, and is officially referred to as Snowbird Mesa.
• Overton Wildlife Management Area located 2 miles S of town. Unlimited RV size, 14-day limit. This area is managed by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

RHYOLITE
There is BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land around this ghost town suitable for RV camping. Contact the BLM Battle Mountain Field Office for more information.

SEARCHLIGHT
North of Searchlight is BLM's Knob Hill managed primitive camping area. Click Here for more information and directions.

SUNNYSIDE
Sunnyside is little more than a wide spot in the road highlighted by the Sunnyside Rest Area. However, great RV camping is available a short distance away at the Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and specifically the Dave Deacon Campground. This free RV camping location is one of our - Featured RV Camping Locations.

Nevada Public Campgrounds

RV camping in Nevada is great for RVers looking for varied outdoor experiences. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and Nevada State Parks offer RV camping, and the same is true for most County and Community parks. USFS (US Forest Service) campgrounds offer cooler locations to escape the Summer heat. Amenities range from dry RV camping with only trash and pit toilets to RV camping sites with full RV hookups. This is only a partial listing of RV camping opportunities at public campgrounds. There is a nominal camping fee in most cases. State and National Parks are higher priced.

We recommend the Benchmark Recreation Atlas to help locate Nevada public campgrounds.

The following are only a few examples of the great public campgrounds available in Nevada.

BEATTY
While mostly located in California, Death Valley National Park also sits inside Nevada near Beatty. RV camping at designated locations within the park is permitted.

BAKER
RV camping is available in both primitive and improved camping areas of the Great Basin National Park. Parts of the park often have snow until July so pack the RV carefully.

ELKO
Remote desgignated campgrounds suitable for RV camping are available at...

• Wilson Reservoir
• North Wildhorse Campground
• Zunino/Jiggs Reservoir

Click Here for the BLM Elko Field Office information and directions to these three RV camping areas.

ELY
First come first serve RV camping is available at Cave Lake State Park. Reservable group campground as well as water, and showers.

FALLON
About an hour from Reno and Sparks is the Lahontan State Recreation Area. Offering RV camping as well as hiking, boating, swimming and hunting. RV dump available.

GABBS
Located 23 miles east of Gabbs, the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park has RV dump and RV camping sites. Check on maximum RV length requirements.

LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas RV camping opportunities include...

• Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area - Offering 71 developed campsites and beautiful scenery, this area close to Las Vegas excitement still seems a world away from the Las Vegas"Strip".
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area campgrounds Callville Bay, Cottonwood Cove, and Las Vegas Bay are only a few of the RV camping locations available.

LAUGHLIN
Just south of Laughlin is Big Bend of the Colorado State Park. Only self contained RV camping allowed.

LOVELOCK
Improved and primitive RV camping sites are available at Rye Patch State Recreation Area. RV dump, water, trash, flush toilets and showers.

OVERTON
Near Overton is the Valley of Fire State Park. RV camping is available in the parks two campgrounds on a first come first serve basis.

PANACA
RV camping is available on a first come first serve basis at Cathedral Gorge State Park. Water, flush toilets and showers are available.

PIOCHE

• Boating, fishing, and of course, RV camping is available at Spring Valley State Park. Water, dump, flush toilets, and showers await you.
• Echo Canyon State Park offers RV camping as well as boating and hiking. RV dump station, water and flush toilets.

SPRING CREEK
RV camping is available at South Fork Recreation Area. 16 miles south of Elko

WELLS
The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Tabor Creek campground is located 30 miles Northwest of Wells and offers great remote RV camping.

• RV Camping Home
• RV Rentals
• RV Parks
• RV Products
• Articles
• Boondocking
• RV and Camping Tips
• RV Clubs
• FAQ

 

Federal Public Land
RV Camping Information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.

NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Located throughout the western USA, BLM managed lands offer great camping locations. Developed campgrounds, and almost unlimited dispersed camping opportunites await you.

Free Overnight RV Parking Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Nevada. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.

Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.

• Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
• Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Nevada due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
• Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
• Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
• Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
• Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
• Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
• Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
• Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
• Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
• Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission.
• RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
• Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
• Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
• Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
• Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
• Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
• Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
• Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Nevada. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.