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Camping in Las Vegas may seem like a strange activity, given the boisterous casinos and attractions on the Strip. Yet, you can find several campgrounds in Las Vegas, as well as free camping near Las Vegas if you leave the city center.
Camping is a great alternative to staying in a hotel if you plan on taking day trips and spending more time in the surrounding areas. Besides, Sin City is close to beautiful natural places like Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire, just two popular places to camp near Las Vegas.
I wrote a whole guide about Las Vegas’ best RV parks, so in this article, I’ll focus on campgrounds near Las Vegas, NV. You may be surprised by all the places where you can pitch a tent or park your pop-up trailer and camp out near Las Vegas!
Spending a night in the desert and under the stars is an experience you’ll never forget, so let’s see the best camping sites in Las Vegas, NV!
1. Red Rock Canyon Campground, the best place to camp in Las Vegas
Visiting Red Rock Canyon is one of the best things to do outside Vegas, and it has some of the best camping near Las Vegas. The Red Rock Canyon Campground is two miles from the park’s Visitor Center and has over 60 campsites. Most of these are individual sites, but there are a few large-group and RV sites that are ideal if you rent a campervan in Vegas.
1. Red Rock Canyon Campground, the best place to camp in Las Vegas
The individual standard campsites have grills, fire pits, and picnic tables, and many sites have shaded areas to protect you from the desert heat. Speaking of the heat, this campground is closed during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day due to extreme temperatures.
Also, this campground is quite basic, and there are no hookups, dump stations, or showers. You can find vault toilets and drinking water spigots throughout the campsite. Still, you can’t beat the gorgeous red sandstone of this park because there are so many fun things to do in Red Rock Canyon.
- Number of campsites: 66 (60 tent sites, 6 RV sites)
- Price: $10/night
- Open: September-May
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Vault toilets/no showers
- Dump station: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
2. Atlatl Rock Campground, one of the best campgrounds near Las Vegas
We have a complete guide to camping in the Valley of Fire, but I’d like to share more about Atlatl Rock Campground here.
There are over 40 campsites, half of which are RV sites. This is one of the campgrounds near Las Vegas, NV, that is open year-round, and the competitive nightly rates are great for families. Pets are allowed, and the RV sites can accommodate trailers up to 55 feet long.
2. Atlatl Rock Campground, one of the best campgrounds near Las Vegas
That said, you’ll be just fine at one of the individual sites, which includes a fire pit and picnic table. Atlatl Rock also has dump stations, showers, and flush toilets to make your stay more comfortable. You can easily access drinking water and BBQ grills or spend time at the group pavilion before exploring the park’s impressive sandstone formations.
- Number of campsites: 44 (22 tent sites, 22 RV sites)
- Price: $20/night (+$10 for utility hookup)
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: No
- Electric hookup: Yes (at half the sites)
- Restrooms/showers: Yes
- Dump station: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
3. Arch Rock Campground, another great place to camp near Las Vegas
There are tons of things to do in Valley of Fire, including staying overnight. Arch Rock Campground is smaller than Atlatl Rock, but it’s still one of the top places to camp near Las Vegas.
3. Arch Rock Campground, another great place to camp near Las Vegas
You can camp at Arch Rock in a tent, trailer, or RV. Each site includes a shaded picnic table and fire pit, and there are spigots and vault toilets on the grounds. Just be mindful that there aren’t utility hookups here, but you can access the dump station at the Atlatl Rock Campground.
You can stay at Arch Rock on a first-come, first-served basis, but if you can’t find a spot, check Atlatl Rock Campground next door.
- Number of campsites: 29 (tent/RV sites)
- Price: $20/night
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: No
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Vault toilets/showers
- Dump station: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
4. Las Vegas Bay Campground, a scenic place to camp near Las Vegas, NV
One of the best places to camp near Las Vegas is the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There are several campgrounds here, but one that I recommend is the Las Vegas Bay Campground.
4. Las Vegas Bay Campground, a scenic place to camp near Las Vegas, NV
The verdant campground is a scenic change of pace from the busy Strip, and the recreation area offers lots of outdoor activities. While the campsites are a few miles from Lake Mead, you can enjoy the hiking trails in the area. Once you reach the water, you can swim, boat, kayak, and take in the lovely waterfront and views of Lava Butte Wash Wildlife Refuge in the distance.
Reservations aren’t accepted, but there are over 80 sites for RV and tent camping in Las Vegas, so you should be able to find a spot. The semi-private lots have picnic tables, fire pits, and grills, and they can accommodate trailers up to 35 feet long. A dump station and potable water are available on-site, and you can purchase firewood for your grill or fire ring from the camp store.
- Number of campsites: 84 (tent/RV sites)
- Price: $20/night
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: No
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Flush toilets/no showers
- Dump station: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
5. Calville Bay Campground, another nice place to camp in Vegas
If you’re looking for other places to camp near Las Vegas‘ Lake Mead area, consider Calville Bay Campground.
This campground is on the edge of the Boulder Basin, and it’s an affordable place to enjoy tent camping in Las Vegas, NV. The individual sites have picnic areas and fire pits, and a few have lake views. Plus, flush toilets and running water are available throughout the grounds. You can bring an RV or trailer here, but there aren’t any utility hookups.
5. Calville Bay Campground, another nice place to camp in Vegas
This scenic campground also has public grilling areas, shaded picnic tables, and interpretive panels explaining the native plants and animals in the region.
As if the location weren’t convenient enough, the campsite is next to the Calville Summit Trailhead. This 2.7-mile hike leads to gorgeous views of Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, and the Hemenway Valley. You can also walk to the Calville Bay Resort & Marina, which has restaurants, cafes, shops, and boat rentals.
- Number of campsites: 52 (5 RV sites)
- Price: $20/night
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Flush toilets/no showers
- Dump station: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
6. Boulder Beach Campground, one of the most inclusive campgrounds near Las Vegas
In my guide on visiting Hoover Dam, I mention all the cool things to do in the area. So, if you’d like to make the most of your time there, consider staying overnight at Boulder Beach Campground, next to one of the best beaches in Las Vegas.
This Las Vegas area campground is suitable for tent and RV camping, with over 150 individual sites. Each lot has a picnic and grilling area, and there are water spigots throughout the campground. You can camp here year-round and enjoy the refreshing shoreline along Boulder Basin.
6. Boulder Beach Campground, one of the most inclusive campgrounds near Las Vegas
Not only is this one of the most inclusive campgrounds near Las Vegas, but it’s also family-oriented. The facilities include flush toilets, showers, laundry machines, and a general store. You can walk to the marina and rent a boat or kayak, plus you won’t be far from Boulder City, where you can find dining, shopping, and other attractions.
Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, although you can reserve group sites. The nightly rate is $20, and, like other campgrounds in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, there is a $25 entry fee.
- Number of campsites: 154 (tent/RV sites)
- Price: $20/night
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: No
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Flush toilets/showers
- Dump station: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
7. Echo Bay Campground, a beautiful campground near Las Vegas, Nevada
If you’re willing to travel a bit further from Sin City, an excellent camping option is Echo Bay Campground. This campground near Las Vegas, NV, has nearly 150 sites in total, and over 50 of them have RV hookups.
7. Echo Bay Campground, a beautiful campground near Las Vegas, Nevada
Echo Bay boasts some of the best camping near Las Vegas, especially since it’s less than a mile from the shores of Lake Mead. Here, you can enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, and other water activities. The campground is also close to hiking trails and other natural areas like the Valley of Fire.
The campground is divided into two sections so you can find RV and tent camping. There is a camp store on-site, spigots with potable water, and a picnic area. Your individual lot will come with a picnic table and fire ring.
- Number of campsites: 146 (58 RV sites)
- Price: $20/night
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: No
- Electric hookup: Yes (at 53 sites)
- Restrooms/showers: Flush toilets/showers
- Dump station: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
8. McWilliams Campground, another great camping site in Las Vegas
Less than an hour outside Sin City, you’ll find McWilliams Campground in the Mt. Charleston area. Nestled within the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, this is a beautiful place to camp near Las Vegas.
8. McWilliams Campground, another great camping site in Las Vegas
McWilliams Campground is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors while also having the convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. Keep in mind there aren’t any showers or RV hookups.
While staying at a single or double-family campsite, you can enjoy biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding among the ponderosa pines. This area is also home to the Bristlecone Trail, one of the best hikes in Las Vegas. McWilliams accepts reservations and allows pets, and your campsite comes with a picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire pit.
- Number of campsites: 75 (tent/RV sites)
- Price: $25/night
- Open: May-October
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Flush toilets/no showers
- Dump station: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
9. Hilltop Campground, some of the best tent camping near Las Vegas
Hilltop Campground is also in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, although it’s smaller than McWilliams. Hilltop is great for tent camping near Las Vegas, and while it accommodates trailers up to 25 feet, there aren’t any hookups.
You can choose from a single or double-family campsite with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. The sites sit atop a forested hill and, while it can get windy, you’ll get great views of the valley.
9. Hilltop Campground, some of the best tent camping near Las Vegas
Hilltop Campground is just ¼-mile away from the North Loop Trailhead, and there are biking trails throughout the area. Like other Mt. Charleston campgrounds, Hilltop is usually open from May to November.
- Number of campsites: 38 (tent/RV sites)
- Price: $23/night
- Open: April-November
- Reservations accepted: Yes (sites 12-38 only)
- Electric hookup: No
- Restrooms/showers: Vault toilets/no showers
- Dump station: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
10. Fletcher View Campground, another campground near Las Vegas to stay at
Finally, Fletcher View Campground is smaller and slightly more expensive than the other Mt. Charleston campsites, but it’s closer to Vegas. Just a few minutes from the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway, this camping site offers a respite from the noise of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Out of the 11 sites, two can accommodate RVs, and both single and double-family lots are available. Also, Fletcher View has electric hookups, so I recommend it if you’re trailer-camping in Mt. Charleston. Whether you camp in an RV or tent, your site will have a fire pit, BBQ grill, and outdoor tables.
10. Fletcher View Campground, another campground near Las Vegas to stay at
This Las Vegas area campsite has flush toilets, water spigots, paved roads, and a stunning location perfect for biking, wildlife viewing, and nature walks. Also, while it’s open year-round, the campground may close between mid-July to mid-September due to flooding risks.
- Number of campsites: 11 (tent/RV sites)
- Price: $33/night
- Open: Year-round
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Electric hookup: Yes
- Restrooms/showers: Flush toilets/no showers
- Dump station: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
Free camping near Las Vegas
All of these campsites are worth checking out, but if you’re looking for free camping in Las Vegas, you have some options.
You can stay at BLM campgrounds in Nevada, including the sites around Lake Mead, Sloan Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and Valley of Fire. In the map below, you can find free dispersed camping near Las Vegas and nearby BLM sites.
Las Vegas campgrounds map
With that, you’re ready to start planning your Las Vegas camping trip! Be sure to check out the Las Vegas campgrounds map below to see the ten campsites I mentioned and free BLM campgrounds in Nevada. I’ve labeled the RV campsites in red and the free campgrounds in green.
If you have any questions about RV or tent camping in Las Vegas, leave me a comment below, and I’ll get back to you! Have a fun camping trip!
