North McCullough Wilderness
RV Guide
Introduction
If you ever find yourself near Las Vegas, Nevada, North McCullough Wilderness is a must-see. It is an area of the McCullough Mountain Range that is open to the public. The wilderness is managed bythe Bureau of Land Management and encompasses nearly 15,000 acres of land. It is made up of volcanic features, mountains that are over 5,000 feet tall, and flat desert.
North McCullough Wilderness is a beautiful place to escape the busy city life of Las Vegas. There are plenty of secluded campgrounds around the wilderness that allow you to rest up in between days of exploring North McCullough Wilderness. During the day, there are several activities that visitors love to take part in. Some of the more popular options are hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.
Due to being located 30 miles away from a city, this is a great place to view the stars after sundown. They appear much brighter and you will likely see several more than you would if you were in a polluted city. If you're ever looking for a day away from the casinos and bright lights of the Las Vegas strip, take a trip to North McCullough Wilderness.
RV Rentals in North McCullough Wilderness
Transportation
Driving
North McCullough Wilderness is located in Nevada, just south of Las Vegas. There are a variety of ways to get there, including by vehicle or on foot. You will know you're getting close to North McCullough Wilderness after you drive through Henderson, Nevada and hit the dirt roads. These dirt roads will lead you to the eastern side of the wilderness.
If you're coming from the north, the best route to take is Sloan Canyon Access Road. There is also a variety of dirt roads from South Las Vegas Boulevard that will provide access to the west side of North McCullough Wilderness. You shouldn't have a problem getting there in any type of vehicle, but if you have the option to take a high clearance vehicle, you should do so.
Four-wheel-drive is also recommended due to the changing road conditions. Once you arrive at North McCullough Wilderness, you'll mostly get around on foot. You do have the option of riding a mountain bike or an off-highway vehicle and permitted areas only. Lastly, some visitors enjoy traveling through the wilderness on horseback.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in North McCullough Wilderness
Campsites in North McCullough Wilderness
First-come first-served
Boulder Beach Campground
North McCullough Wilderness doesn't have too many campgrounds close by, but Boulder Beach Campground is close enough. This campground has 154 campsites in total. Each campsite has a gravel pad and is available for both RV or tent campers.
It is important to note that RVs and trailers must be shorter than 41 feet in order to camp there. Staying at this campground during the hot Nevada summers is great because of the nearby beach. There you will be able to swim, boat, and other water activities. Campsites at Boulder Beach Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are no hookups available for RVs, but there are a handful of amenities. You'll have access to flush toilets, potable water, a bathroom sink, and plenty of shade. There are also picnic tables and fire pits at each campsite. There is a dump station near the entrance of Boulder Beach for RVs. This is a great place to relax and cool off during your stay in Nevada.
Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground
Another campground near North McCullough Wilderness is Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground. This is another space that is great if you like to stay cool in the summer. There are 45 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. You will find up-to-date bathrooms that have running water and toilets.
Each of the 45 campsites is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. There is also a shaded canopy area that is open to the entire campground. RV campers will have to accept that there are no electric or water hookups available at Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground, but there is a dump station available.
This campground is right along Lake Mohave. This offers you a place to cool off, while also providing a relaxing soundscape to fall asleep to. If you want a more modern camping option when visiting North McCullough Wilderness, this is likely your best option southeast of Las Vegas.
Kingman Wash Lake Mead National Recreation Free Camping
Lastly, there is Kingman Wash camping. As you can see by the name, it is located in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is a large campground that has dispersed camping available to people on a first-come, first-served basis. There are several reasons why campers come here besides free camping.
You will have views of the mountains and a lake just about everywhere you look. There are vaulted toilets available, but no other modern amenities. You will not have access to picnic tables or fire rings while staying at Kingman Wash. This is one reason it's great for RV campers, rather than tent campers. Because of its location, you may want to be aware of the weather when you camp there.
Kingman Wash is a wash campground that is prone to flash flooding whenever it rains. If you don't mind the lack of hookups available or toilets, you may enjoy a night under the stars at Kingman Wash to rest after a long day exploring North McCullough Wilderness.
Seasonal activities in North McCullough Wilderness
In-Season
Hiking
Hiking is a fun activity that the entire family can enjoy. North McCullough Wilderness has a variety of different types of terrain. You'll see the flat gravel of the desert that is a perfect place to hike if you're looking for something more laid back or if you have young children with you.
There are also more intense landscapes for you to explore on foot. These have steep inclines and may even require you to wear hiking boots.
Fishing
If you are camping with an angler or you are one yourself, you'll enjoy some fishing on your trip to North McCullough Wilderness. Some of the fish you may see in the wilderness or mountain whitefish, Redband trout, Yellowstone cutthroat, and bass.
There are a variety of different lakes and streams in which you can fish. This is a great way to relax and enjoy the great outdoors of Nevada with your loved ones.
OHV Riding
Off-highway vehicles are a blast for the whole family to ride on. If you want to explore North McCullough Wilderness on four wheels, you have to bring your own off-highway vehicle as there aren't any rentals nearby.
There are specific areas of the wilderness that you can ride on, while others are restricted. You can check for local trail maps around this part of Nevada to see additional places you can ride your dirt bike or four-wheeler.
Off-Season
Biking
If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, you can pack your mountain bike onto the back of your RV. This is an amazing way to explore North McCullough Wilderness with the added excitement of mountain biking.
There aren't any man-made trails for mountain biking, but you can bike practically anywhere in the wilderness. Because there is rocky terrain, be sure to wear a proper helmet and knee pads to reduce the risk of injury.
Picnicking
Who wouldn't love to enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by mountains and valleys? Packing a picnic to have on your visit to North McCullough Wilderness is a great idea, especially if you need to fuel up for a long day of physical activities.
In the Wilderness, remember that you should not feed the wild animals and that you must clean up after yourself. This will help preserve the area for future visitors and the animals that live there.
Wildlife Spotting
A relaxing activity that you can enjoy while visiting North McCullough Wilderness is wildlife spotting. You can see a variety of different animals in this part of Nevada. Bighorn sheep, Gambel's quail, and mule deer are commonly found there.
Birds soaring over the sky are songbirds, golden eagles, and birds of prey. You may get the chance to spot a banded Gila monster during your visit. To increase the chance of you seeing animals, be sure to bring a pair of high-quality binoculars.
