Hunting for the best camping in Nevada? Good news: It’s everywhere. With thousands of places to sink those tent stakes or park that rig, Nevada offers epic camping spots to adventurers of every level. Whether you’re looking for a cushy campground with all the amenities or an out-there, off-grid excursion, we’ll make sure you’ve got your must-sees and gotta-dos dialed for an unforgettable camping trip.
Camping in Nevada
Explore Nevada Camping
Nevada is a camper’s dream. From popular parks and glamping delights to pristine wilderness and backcountry sites, you’re sure to find it here.
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State Parks & Recreation Areas
From Valley of Fire’s blazing red sandstone to Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear grandeur, Nevada’s 27 state parks and recreation areas promise outdoor experiences as vast and varied as the scenery itself—plus top-notch facilities for those looking to make a night of it.
On Nevada’s eastern edge, otherworldly scenes unfold at Cathedral Gorge State Park. This landscape’s eroding spires, hoodoos, and slot canyons create a magical playground for hikers, photographers, and campers. Nearby, Echo Canyon State Park pairs towering cliffs with a 65-acre reservoir ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and shoreline picnics. Both parks include tent and RV sites with full hookups.
Farther north on the Great Basin Highway, Cave Lake State Park rewards summer campers with hiking, biking, and fishing, followed by ice fishing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing come winter. For more on-the-water action—plus trophy fishing and abundant wildlife watching—Elko’s South Fork State Recreation Area offers a sprawling reservoir lined with waterfront campsites and uninterrupted views of the towering Ruby Mountains.
Located between Reno and Carson City, Washoe Lake State Park offers campers fiery Sierra Nevada sunsets at sites situated a few minutes from the shoreline. Get out on the mirror-still water to paddle or fish, and watch for wild horses, bald eagles, and more. On the state’s western edge, Walker River State Recreation Area lures anglers with some of the West’s most fabled fishing along the unspoiled East Walker River. For everyone else, the area’s 12,000 acres are ripe for hiking, paddling, and soaking up Nevada’s wild side. Basecamp here includes developed and primitive camping spots, RV sites, and cabins—mostly all right on the river.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
If planning brings you peace of mind, make Nevada State Parks camping and day-use reservations through Reserve Nevada.
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park climbs 6,825 feet in elevation from sagebrush steppes to glacier-carved alpine peaks. While here, visitors crane their necks up to 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak (home to Nevada’s last glacier), wander among ancient bristlecone pines and glacial lakes, tour a massive cavern, and bed down beneath some of the darkest skies on Earth.
One of Great Basin National Park’s rock-solid standouts is Lehman Caves, featuring a forest of stalactites, stalagmites, and hundreds of shield formations (most caves only have a few). Another must-see lies up above—way above. The sky at this International Dark Sky Park sparkles with millions of stars, the Milky Way, complete constellations, and even entire galaxies all visible to the naked eye.
From (literally) breathtaking high-country vibes to quiet creekside calm, Great Basin’s campgrounds deliver. Wheeler Peak Campground, perched at nearly 10,000 feet, is your gateway to lakes, peaks, and some of the planet’s oldest trees. Upper and Lower Lehman Creek Campgrounds offer easy access to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center and Astronomy Amphitheater, while three farther-flung campgrounds up the out-there factor. All five promise a Nevada camping experience that’s remote, restful, and endlessly rewarding.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Some Great Basin campgrounds close seasonally due to weather. Get complete camping details—including regulations, amenities, and the latest alerts—directly from Great Basin National Park’s website.
Favorite Campgrounds Across the State
It’s not just our national and state parks that offer fantastic places to overnight it out-of-doors. Intrepid travelers will find unforgettable camping spots all over the Silver State—from alpine lakes and high-desert plateaus to hidden canyons and wide-open playas. Here are some ideal spots to find your freedom—often for free.
Nevada’s packed with places to park your RV. Whether you’re living large at full-service resorts, setting up in stunning state park campgrounds, or boondocking in the backcountry, the Silver State’s got you covered.
Remote Destinations
In Nevada’s northwestern corner, the Black Rock Desert’s claim to fame may be Burning Man, but the real star of the show is the landscape itself: an 800,000-acre playa playground of hot springs, old mines, and star-strewn skies. Near Denio, Pine Forest Recreation Area harbors fish-filled lakes, tree-lined pullouts, and mountaintops high enough to make the nearest highway feel worlds away.
In central Nevada, Pine Creek Campground’s waterfront sites pair sounds of flowing streams with aspen-shrouded privacy—perfect for unwinding from days exploring Belmont Ghost Town or tackling 11,949-foot Mt. Jefferson. Just one hour off the Las Vegas Strip towers Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, where campers trade neon and heat for night skies and cool alpine air in several developed campgrounds.
Near the Oregon border, intrepid travelers will find the remote Jarbidge, one of the Lower 48’s most remote communities. Several campgrounds line the trout-packed Jarbidge River, minutes from the café, general store, and two (yes, two) Sagebrush Saloons “downtown.” Just beyond, the wide-open Jarbidge Wilderness rewards the rugged with nearly 11,000-foot peaks, wildflower wonderlands, limitless hiking, and plentiful primitive camping at trailheads (or wherever you can park the rig).
Glamping
If you fancy your outdoor adventure with a side of indoor comfort, Nevada’s glamping scene brings the balance you deserve. Start at Vegas Glamping, where boutique bell tents come stocked with plush furnishings, Mojave vistas, and easy access to ghost towns. Or head for Tarantula Ranch, an oasis on the edge of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Death Valley National Park complete with a working vineyard, stylish casitas, luxed-up trailers, RV sites, and desert sunsets best enjoyed with a glass of Nevada-grown wine.
Perched high in the Ruby Mountains, Ruby Yurts blend curated comfort with backcountry bliss. Ruby High Yurt offers sweeping alpine views at 9,700 feet, accessible year-round by hike or OHV ride. Conrad Creek Yurt (accessible by vehicle) sits at 7,000 feet and is surrounded by forested serenity. Both feature solar power, Wi-Fi, full kitchens, and optional catering—proof you can get a little out there without giving up a thing.
Tips for Camping
Weather or Not
With four pronounced seasons and topography ranging from desert valleys to alpine peaks, camping in Nevada requires a healthy dose of planning and packing. No matter where you venture, pack layers, extra water, and your sense of adaptability—things can and do change in an instant. Many roads to remote sites close in winter or wash out after storms, so check local forecasts and travel alerts before you head out. And always gas up (an extra tank never hurts) before ditching the pavement.
This Land is Our Land
More than 80 percent of Nevada is public land, meaning outside of developed campgrounds, you can pitch your tent for free on millions of acres of federally-owned land. Just be sure to learn and observe temporary policies (road or area closures, fire restrictions, etc.) and prepare to be totally self-sufficient. For maps and up-to-date info, visit Nevada’s Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service websites.
Do Your Roam Work
Whatever outdoor passion you’re chasing, recreate responsibly and help keep Nevada wild, beautiful, and free. Learn how to minimize your tire-track impact with our Dirt Road Code, and soak up on hot springs etiquette before getting into hot water. Brush up on Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly ethics, too. And, most importantly, treat every campground, RV site, and backcountry camping spot like it’s your favorite. Because with the Silver State’s unbeatable variety, chances are, it will be. That way, we all have the incredible opportunity—now and in the future—to get a little out there.
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