The Best Tent Camping In Nevada

In the hot, dry deserts of Nevada you will find some of the best tent camping in the state. Choose from national and state parks and camp under the stars, surrounded by wildlife, mountains and nature. Great Basin National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area offer land nearly untouched by humans, perfect for relaxation in the wild while sleeping in a tent. Visit Rye Patch and South Fork State Recreation Areas for more local camping options.

Camping Overview

Great Basin National Park, Death Valley National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area along with state parks like South Fork State Recreation Area offer the best places to go tent camping in Nevada. Choose to set up your tent on a campground at any of these parks, or go backcountry camping in designated areas at Death Valley and Lake Mead. Camping at Rye Patch and South Fork costs $14 per night. Developed campgrounds are $12 at Great Basin National Park and $10 at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. All the parks include various amenities, including showers and toilets, among others. All prices are as of 2010.

Hiking and Biking

What makes the tent camping the best at parks like Great Basin, Lake Mead and South Fork are the activities you can do once your have rested up fully. Take a hike on one of the many miles of trails in one of these parks. Great Basin offers trails of differing difficulty that go through forests, around lakes and onto mountains. Learn about the area you plan to hike before heading out so you know what to expect. At Lake Mead, hike past canyons, near hot springs and through a historic train tunnel built in 1931. Bring your bike into Great Basin and Lake Mead National Parks. Biking is mostly on the paved roads in both parks, but primitive roads that present more challenging rides are available at Great Basin. You can ride the backcountry roads marked with yellow arrows at Lake Mead.

Other Activities

Whether falling asleep under the stars or enjoying the day, the surroundings at the national and state parks in Nevada will make your trip worthwhile. Choose to go swimming in the South Fork Reservoir at South Fork State Recreation Area or in Lake Mead. You can also go swimming and boating at Rye Patch State Recreation Area. Afterward, set up a picnic in one of the designated picnic areas, which also include grills, water and restrooms. At Lake Mead, you can also go scuba diving, but follow the guidelines at the park and only dive in preferred diving areas. You'll see sunken aircraft at the bottom of the lake. Go bird watching at Great Basin National Park and see robins, ravens and northern flickers.

Time to Go

Temperatures in Nevada will rarely drop to freezing, so during winter months you will be able to camp. During the summer months, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. Since the parks are located in deserts, sharp drops in temperatures occur at night. Visiting in late spring and fall will provide average temperatures in the low 70s. Rain is rarely a concern in the deserts. You should check the current weather conditions at the parks before you visit.

Risks

Because the parks are located in a desert, you need to bring a lot of water. The temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in the summer months and accessibility to water is limited in certain parts of the parks. When tent camping, ensure that all of your food is stored in your car or hung from somewhere inaccessible to animals. Be aware that the temperatures can fall quickly at night in the desert. A hot day can change to a cold night while you are sleeping.