While the city of Laughlin in the southern tip of Nevada is better known for its strip of casinos lining the Colorado River, the location of this small community in the Mohave desert lends itself to enjoying the outdoors. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, campsites with tent pads are available near the bright lights and conveniences of town.
Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area
The state park area known as Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area is located on the shores of the Colorado River, within the town limits of Laughlin, just a mile south of Casino Drive. They offer tent pads with restroom and shower facilities, grills, fire pits and shaded ramada areas. Campers are surrounded by 4 miles of hiking trails, and more areas to explore that are undeveloped. There are facilities for boating and fishing, as well as picnic and swimming areas. Sites are first come- first serve and pets are allowed if on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Wildlife is abundant in the park, and nightlife is minutes away in Laughlin.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Just as the Colorado River is shared by the sister states of Nevada and Arizona, so are the area's lakes. Less than 3 miles separate the nearest cities on both sides: Laughlin in Nevada and Bullhead City in Arizona. Near both of these communities, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers tent camping opportunities from the National Park Service, with sites on both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
Lake Mead
The largest number of campsites with tent camping pads are in the Lake Mead area. These sites are inexpensive, with amenities that include bathrooms, water faucets, picnic tables, grills and dump stations. Individual maps can be viewed at the National Park Service website. Campsites include Boulder Beach, Callville Bay, Echo Bay, Las Vegas Bay and Temple Bar. These five facilities have a total of over 600 tent camping sites that are open all year.
Lake Mohave
Also administered by the National Park Service are 2 tent campsites around Lake Mohave. The Cottonwood Cove campsite has 145 sites and is on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave, about half an hour from Laughlin. The marina there has a store, showers, laundry and boat rentals. Katherine's Landing has 173 sites, with similar resort facilities nearby. Both of these campsites around Lake Mohave are open all year and have bathrooms with showers, running water, grills and dump stations. Since both have facilities for RV camping, there is also electricity in these areas.
Backcountry Camping
Primitive tent camping in undeveloped areas is allowed around both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, generally reached only by boat, hiking, car or horseback. If it's in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and is not marked "No Camping," it is allowed for up to 15 days per visit. More information is available in the campsites area of the Lake Mead Recreation Area website.
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