Las Vegas is known for its glitz, nightlife, entertainment, and gambling, but there’s so much more to the city and nearby regions. There are many options available locally for those seeking solace in nature and a place to camp. The desert is full of natural beauty and beckons campers from near and far. Our Créme de la Créme team invites you to discover some of the best sites to go camping near Las Vegas.

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire Campground, Nevada 5-2-14t by Don Graham is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

For a jewel set in the Mojave desert, plan a trip to Valley of Fire State Park, world-famous for 40,000 acres of vivid red Aztec sandstone outcrops set between tan and gray limestone. Valley of Fire State Park is dotted with petroglyphs that are more than 2,000 years old and ancient, petrified trees. You can learn more about the park’s natural wonders at its visitor center, which exhibits the prehistory and history of the park and local area, as well as the park’s ecology and geology.

Aside from the beauty of the unique natural rock formations, Valley of Fire State Park offers some of the best trails for hiking in Las Vegas. There are two campground sections, which provide basic amenities, including restrooms, grills, and water. RV campers can also avail themselves of power and electrical hookups. The park’s policy is first come, first served, so a campsite is not guaranteed. It’s best to arrive early in the day to secure a better spot.

The entrance fee is $10.00, or $15.00 for non-Nevada plate vehicles, with a $20.00 camping fee per vehicle, per night or $25.00 per night for non-Nevada plate vehicles, and $10.00 extra per night for utility hookups. If you’re biking into the park, it’s $2.00 per bike. The park is open for day visitors daily from sunrise to sunset, and campers have 24-hour access at 29450 Valley of Fire Highway in Overton.

Red Rock Canyon Campground

Blaze a path to Red Rock Canyon Campground to visit a stunning spot in the middle of a national conservation area. They offer standard camping, group campsites, and an RV camping area. Red Rock Canyon is a short 20-minute drive from the Las Vegas strip. You can go rock climbing, bike riding, hiking, and scenic driving at the campground, amid the majestic Mojave desert. Red Rock Canyon has access to over 2,000 documented rock-climbing routes and 60 miles of hiking trails. The park is open for camping from September through May.

The campground has 53 standard sites, which allow up to 10 people and two vehicles per site. There’s room for one RV and a vehicle at one of the six RV sites. Group campsites are permitted to have 20 people and six vehicles per site. Pets are allowed, but dogs must be leashed. There are fire pits, fire rings, BBQ facilities, and a quiet area for campers seeking a serene camping environment. There’s minimal cell reception, so be prepared to drive out of the campground if you need to use your phone.

All standard campsites and group campsites are equipped with campfire circles and picnic tables. You’ll need to buy firewood at a local store, as there’s none available at the campgrounds. The group campsites have 10 separate small tent areas. The individual campsite area has drinking water, trashcans, vault toilets, and accessible vault toilets, all of which can also be used by group campers. The road into the campground is paved, but the roads within the camping area are gravel, so make sure you bring a vehicle that can handle the terrain. Make plans to pitch your tent at 3293 Moenkopi Road in Las Vegas.

Boulder Beach Campground

You can head to Boulder Beach – Lake Mead for lakeside camping in the desert. Boulder Beach Campground has tent camping and RV sites available, but there are no RV hookups, so you’ll still be roughing it a bit. You can take advantage of the fire pits, grills, and picnic tables for a lovely picnic by the lake. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, water, and toilets. Campsites are available first come, first serve, and you can reserve your spot online. Lake Mead is suitable for swimming, and you can rent a boat or bring your watercraft to go fishing or enjoy some time out on the lake.

You can launch your craft or rented boat from the Hemenway boat ramp. The Lake Mead Boat Rental is located near the boat ramp. During your camping or boating trip, you may spot some fascinating wildlife native to the area, such as lizards, coyotes, and various birds. The campground also offers incredible views of Big Boulder and Little Boulder Islands. This oasis in the desert is only a half hour from Las Vegas at 268 Lakeshore Road in Boulder City.

Las Vegas Bay Campground

To see dazzling stars in the night sky away from the city lights, set your course for Las Vegas Bay Campground. This campground is also great for hikes on the bluffs trails and is a prime spot for bird watchers, so definitely bring along binoculars and a camera. The campsites offer the advantage of privacy, as cottonwood and palm trees are scattered throughout the campgrounds. The campground accepts tents, trailers, and RVs. The picnic area has beautiful scenery, such as a stunning view over the Las Vegas Wash on Lakeshore Drive in Boulder City.

Las Vegas Glamping Adventures

Finally, if roughing it is not for you, you’ll find a world of luxurious camping at Las Vegas Glamping Adventures. These campsites have amenities designed for you to camp in comfort and style. The tents include full or queen-size memory foam or bamboo mattresses. There’s also an on-site spa, 10 miles of hiking trails perfect for stargazing, and the chance to see friendly animals like deer who visit the site.

Some other amenities include an Aurora Borealis projector, interior and exterior lighting, a seating area with anti-gravity chairs, a hammock, a private portable flushable toilet tent, a movie projector with iPhone hook up, a fire pit with wood, a grill, and sleeping bags. You’ll also find various games, including UNO, cards, and puzzles. Your glamping adventure begins at 9580 W. Reno Ave., Unit 153, in Las Vegas.

Our Créme de la Créme of Las Vegas team hopes you and your family find time to check out one or more of these amazing camping spots in our area. Enjoy your time outdoors, from s’mores to ghost stories around the fire, in and around Las Vegas.