The small town of Laughlin, Nevada, is best known for being home to the Riverside Resort and receives nearly 4 million visitors a year. Situated in southern Nevada close to the Arizona border, sports and outdoor enthusiasts can find a diverse number of activities and attractions. Camping is an affordable and flexible way to explore the Laughlin, Nevada, region.
Public Campgrounds
As of 2010, public campgrounds in the Laughlin area charge $10 per night per site. Some public campgrounds include Big Bend State Recreation area, which features 24 RV sites with limited full hookups. Big Bend has restroom/shower facilities and hiking trails. Valley of Fire State Park offers two campgrounds with a total of 73 sites and restroom/shower facilities. The Lake Meade National Recreation Area has nine designated camping areas and offers both primitive and full-hookup sites. Camping is available at Lake Mohave or Lake Meade. As a general rule, public campgrounds offer fewer amenities than their private counterparts, but they offer more competitive rates and allow campers to be closer to nature.
Private Campgrounds
Because private campgrounds generally feature more amenities and services than their public counterparts, they are usually a better choice for families traveling with young children. Private campgrounds are not as "close to nature" as those situated in state parks or protected areas, but campers with a car should have no problem getting around. The Laughlin KOA is an RV-only park with full hookup sites, complimentary Wi-Fi, year-round pool and free tours. Riverside RV Park is located just a few miles away in Bullhead, Arizona, and features a heated pool, recreation hall and restroom/shower facilities. Davis Camp, also located in Arizona, has RV and tent sites, as well as full hookup and primitive sites.
Camping Considerations
Summertime temperatures in southern Nevada can reach greater than 100 degrees F, so be sure to bring plenty of water if you plan to do a lot of hiking or rock climbing. If you're going to be taking part in water sports on the Colorado River or Mohave Lake, be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, as the scorching Nevada summer sun can cause severe burns very quickly. Although state parks operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, reservations at private campgrounds should be made at least a few weeks in advance outside the winter months.
Activities
Aside from hiking and water sports, campers can enjoy participating in activities such as hot air balooning, paragliding, motorcycling or scenic drives. If you're interested in polishing up your golf game, head to one of the area's 10 golf courses, such as Mohave Resort Golf Course or Laughlin Ranch Golf Course. If you'd rather spend the day focusing on your mental, spiritual and physical well-being, head to the Colorado Bella Spa & Salon or Hanna's Laughlin Salon & Day Spa.
Attractions
Visitors who decide to camp in the Laughlin area will be able to stay active by visiting a variety of Laughlin area attractions. At Big Bend State Recreation Area, enjoy a day of hiking or swimming, or head to the Black Mountains or Spirit Mountain for rock climbing and mountain climbing. Enjoy nature's beauty at Christmas Tree Pass, Grapevine Canyon or the Grand Canyon, or spend the day swimming and participating in water sports at the Lake Mohave/Lake Meade National Recreation areas, the Colorado River or at Willow Beach Harbor. Those interested in engineering should head to Davis Dam or the more famous Hoover Dam, or spend the day at Valley of Fire State Park. Kids will enjoy visiting the ghost towns of Choride and Oatman, two former gold mining towns where kids can learn about Nevada's "Old West" history.
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