Southern Nevada offers more to the visitor than the ritzy, glitzy Las Vegas Strip Corridor. There are amazing national parks surrounding the neon city. Fish, hike, camp, and relax in a variety of terrains and eye-catching natural beauty.
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| Fishing the dock at Eagle Valley Reservoir - Image: M Burgess All Rights Reserved 2016 |
My exploration of the Southern Nevada camping areas began this past Fall (2015) when it was realized that there had not been an outing of this sort for more than 2 years. The equipment was there, sitting in wait and collecting dust. A fishing pole that had been purchased three years ago still had a tag on it and had never touched the water. This was not acceptable. An idea to hit the mountain was put into motion, the car was packed for a few days of supplies and the adventures began. The following parks are among the places I visited on my grand nature outing adventure.
Ideal Camp Schedules
During the cooler months of winter, the camping areas of Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon (not shown below) are accessible. During the cool months, Mt. Charleston is a great place for winter sports and snow play, but not for camping. Spring and summer are a good time to visit the mountain. Waiting for the warmer days of early spring is something this author looks forward to. Camping and fishing are the desired timeout whenever the time is available. Looking for a great place to take the kids? Any one of these areas is an ideal family adventure.This basic list is just a handful of recommended places available for use during the more pleasant seasons of the year - Fall and Spring.
Lake Mead - early spring and late autumn
Mt. Charleston - spring through late autumn
Red Rock Canyon - early spring and late autumn
Valley of Fire - early spring and late autumn
Driving an hour or two from the Sin City will lead you to several wonderful camp and hike areas.
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Mount Charleston / Kyle Canyon Hill Top Campground
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| Picnic table and view - Hilltop Campground, Toiyabe National Forest, Kyle Canyon, Nevada - Image: M Burgess All Rights Reserved 2016 |
Basic Information:
Open til October 10
Address: Las Vegas, NV 89166
Location and GPS Info: 36°18'35"N, 115°36'24"W
Phone: (801) 226-3564
Directions:
Take the 95 to the Mount Charleston Exit and follow that past the Mt. Charleston Resort. Make a right at Deer Creek Road. Drive about 5 - 6 miles up and look for a brown sign past Robber's Roost (great hike!) that reads "Campground 1/4 Mile." That is your marker. Slow down and turn right into that forked road. The fork to the left is the one you want to take.
Driving Time: about 1 hour
Campground rental fees and other services may be found here at the park's website
Our Mt. Charleston Adventure
Mount Charleston was our first stop on a six-weekend journey. The Hill Top Campground had one available area with a view of the valley. We got lucky, my dog and myself. The camp was full. There was a drawback on this visit. The water reserves had been tapped for a devastating wildfire two years ago and the mountain had received little rain in the time period. There would be no water on the mountain. The toilets were port-a-potties. Luckily we brought our own jugs, bottles, and containers. It is a wise choice to bring few days supply of water, especially when visiting a natural area. Water quality is always questionable. Having your own saves a few moments of grief. Mt. Charleston normally has spigots nearby, but they are dry. The water is potable only, which means it is only for washing, not for cooking or drinking.
Related blog link: Camping on Mt. Charleston with a Dog and a Dutch Oven
https://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-on-mt-charleston-with-dog-and.html
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The Valley of Fire State Park
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| Valley of Fire, Nevada - Atlatl Rock Campground - Image: M Burgess - All Rights Reserved 2016 |
Basic Information:
Open year round
Address: 29450 Valley of Fire Road Overton, Nevada 89040
GPS Info: 36.4303° N, 114.5143° W
Open year round
Address: 29450 Valley of Fire Road Overton, Nevada 89040
GPS Info: 36.4303° N, 114.5143° W
Phone: 702-397-2088
Directions:
From the I-15 N. Take exit 75 from I-15 N - Merge onto Valley of Fire Hwy - follow road to Valley of Fire State Park
Driving Time: about 1 hour 15 mins
Be advised there is a toll booth for entry into the park
http://www.valley-of-fire.com/park-information/
Visiting The Valley of Fire
Easter weekend (2016) warmed enough to consider a visit to Valley of Fire. The campground is located about 60 miles from the city of Las Vegas. The road is paved and the journey is a breathtaking ride into desert beauty. This time of year encourages the blooms of various cacti and desert flowers. The valley floor is dotted with lovely blossoms and colorful foliage. It is a striking contrast to the deadly heat of the summer months when the vista is dried and patiently waiting for the temperatures to cool once more.
Again, we found the last campsite available. The Atlatl Rock camp provided a nice backdrop and a secluded area for pitching our tents and enjoying the area.
Related Article: Camping Early Spring in Valley of Fire
http://las-vegas-tourist-attractions.blogspot.com/2016/06/camping-early-spring-in-valley-of-fire.html
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About an hour from the city
Lake Mead / Callville Bay Campground
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| Callville Bay Campground Sign - Image: M Burgess All Rights Reserved 2016 |
Basic Information:
Open year round
Address: 100 Callville Bay Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89120
Location and GPS Info:
Latitude 36° 08.6401'
Longitude -114° -43.3200'
Phone: 702-293-8990
Location and GPS Info:
Latitude 36° 08.6401'
Longitude -114° -43.3200'
Phone: 702-293-8990
Directions:
Take I-15 S, I-215 E, W Lake Mead Pkwy and Northshore Rd to Callville Bay Rd - Follow Callville Bay Rd to campground
Driving Time: about 1 hour
Be advised there is a toll booth for entry into the park
Driving Time: about 1 hour
Be advised there is a toll booth for entry into the park
Visiting Lake Mead
Our visit in October to Callville Bay was a test run for camping near Lake Mead. The temperatures were still in the nineties and I have to admit that this trip was a bit uncomfortable during the daylight hours. The ideal expedition to the lake involves a boat if one really wants to experience the area in comfort. There are coves around the water areas that are available for camping.
The campground itself was clean and quiet. The air was sticky and hot during the day. The dog and I agreed to leave early as the mood was dampened by the heat and humidity. We set up camp late in the afternoon, had dinner, then slept overnight. The following morning we found a fishing cove further down the road and tried our best, but the fish were showing several yards from where the bait would reach. I did not enjoy this trip as I would have liked to. The checklist was complete after a failed fishing attempt, so we packed up and left. The cooler months of winter would be an ideal time to camp Lake Mead's campgrounds.
Campground rental fees and other services may be found here at the park's website
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Just a three hour drive from Las Vegas, Nevada you will find these gem locations
Echo Canyon
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| Echo Canyon camp side view. - Eagle Valley area Spring Valley State Park, Nevada. Image: M Burgess All Rights Reserved 2016 |
Basic Information
Open until late October. Reopens late February - Early March
Location and GPS Info:
Location and GPS Info:
37º54'27.81" N 114º16'4.89" W
Phone: (775) 962-5103
Phone: (775) 962-5103
Directions: I-15 N to the 93 N exit. Travel north US-93 N/Great Basin Hwy to the 322 near Pioche. A small sign will indicate Echo Canyon. Follow the road to the campground.
Driving Time: about 3 hours
Campground rental fees and other services may be found at the park's website
Website: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/echo-canyon-state-park/
The camp was a wonderful experience. The shore was easy to get to, just drive the car to the edge near the water and set up the spot for fishing, The campground was clean and set comfortably up a hill with a marvelous view of the water. I found the water area too weedy for fishing, but it was a relaxing experience. Just being out in the great outdoors was reward enough. The dog was a bit reserved when it came to leaving the tent. He must have smelled something in the area he found threatening. There are wild animals around that might cause him harm, but I neither saw nor heard anything, Some guard dog he is...
Read more about our visit here:
Camping with a Dog and a Dutch Oven - part two
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Eagle Valley Reservoir - Horsethief Gulch Campground
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| Eagle Valley Reservoir - Fall 2015 - Image; M Burgess - All Rights Reserved 2016 |
Basic Information
Open until late October. Reopens late February - Early March
Address: Pioche, NV 89043
Location and GPS Info:
38º01'21.33" N 114º11'41.42" W
Phone: (775) 962-5102
Directions:
I-15 N to the 93 N exit. Travel north US-93 N/Great Basin Hwy to the 322 near Pioche. Follow the road to the end past the Eagle Valley Resort.
Driving Time: about 3 hours
Campground rental fees and other services may be found here at the park's website
Website: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/spring-valley-state-park/
Eagle Valley, by far, is my favorite camp site. The area is serene and surreal. The rolling hills and the assorted brush are appealing to the eye and the mind. The dock is a great place to fish early mornings and there are comfortable campgrounds within the park. Amenities include a fish cleaning station, modern restroom facilities, fire rings and covered picnic tables.
Related Article: Camping with a Dog and a Dutch Oven - part two
https://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-with-dog-and-dutch-oven-part-two.html
Camping and fishing are my very favorite time outs. I love cooking over the open fire and enjoying the scenery. The relaxing hours with a fishing pole are what a friend of mine calls tension relief. It certainly is that. The added thrill of a fish on and a tasty fish dinner makes these trips worthwhile. A visit to an area with wildlife and beautiful scenery is just the thing a restless heart and tired mind need after weeks on end of a busy work schedule. You may care for the hiking and exploration in these areas. As for me I will stick to the leisure of fishing, resting, cooking, and meditating on the views.
It has been my pleasure sharing this passion with you and I thank you for visiting!
Driving Time: about 3 hours
Campground rental fees and other services may be found here at the park's website
Website: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/spring-valley-state-park/
Eagle Valley, by far, is my favorite camp site. The area is serene and surreal. The rolling hills and the assorted brush are appealing to the eye and the mind. The dock is a great place to fish early mornings and there are comfortable campgrounds within the park. Amenities include a fish cleaning station, modern restroom facilities, fire rings and covered picnic tables.
Related Article: Camping with a Dog and a Dutch Oven - part two
https://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-with-dog-and-dutch-oven-part-two.html
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About the Author:
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| Fish caught Eagle Valley Reservoir Image: M Burgess All Rights Reserved 2016 |
Camping and fishing are my very favorite time outs. I love cooking over the open fire and enjoying the scenery. The relaxing hours with a fishing pole are what a friend of mine calls tension relief. It certainly is that. The added thrill of a fish on and a tasty fish dinner makes these trips worthwhile. A visit to an area with wildlife and beautiful scenery is just the thing a restless heart and tired mind need after weeks on end of a busy work schedule. You may care for the hiking and exploration in these areas. As for me I will stick to the leisure of fishing, resting, cooking, and meditating on the views.
It has been my pleasure sharing this passion with you and I thank you for visiting!
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