Encompassing large swathes of desert and dramatic rock formations, Nevada lies in the far west of the United States. It shares its borders with Oregon, Idaho, California, Arizona, and Utah, with the legendary city of Las Vegas nestled in its far south and the capital, Carson City, to the west.
American Indians of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes have inhabited the region for centuries, with the Spanish the first Europeans to explore and name it Nevada (“snowy”) after the snow that blankets its mountains in the winter. It became part of Mexico in 1821 and was annexed by the United States following the Mexican-American War, becoming the 36th state in 1864.
While Nevada might be synonymous with casinos, glitz, and entertainment, it’s also a state of staggering natural beauty. There are plenty of impressive RV campgrounds in Nevada for exploring the photogenic landscapes of Cathedral Gorge State Park and Valley of Fire State Park, not to mention the ever-popular resort towns along Lake Tahoe.
RV Camping in Nevada
If you want to experience the bright lights of Las Vegas, you can book into the Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort, which lies on the southern edge of the city. It features a family swimming pool and an 18-hole putting course, all just a stone’s throw from the casinos that cluster on the Strip. Also nearby is the Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort, a luxury Nevada RV park that offers more than 400 sites, plus several swimming pools, spas, saunas, and tennis courts.
A short drive east of Las Vegas takes you to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where you’ll find several campgrounds to bunk down for the night. Several RV parks here offer full-hookup sites and lots of modern amenities.
Partway between Las Vegas and Reno is the Esmeralda Market, RV Park, Cabins, and Campground, a family-friendly Nevada RV campground near the border with California. It’s a popular base for exploring the Inyo National Forest, Death Valley National Park, and Yosemite National Park, with movie nights and s’ mores parties often held in the evenings.
Drive north from Las Vegas to Cathedral Gorge State Park, which is famed for its dramatic landscapes of eroded soft bentonite clay. There’s a 22-site campground with some electric/water-only sites that are just steps from the park’s hiking trails and narrow slot canyons.
Further north is the Ely KOA, which nestles in one of the most picturesque parts of Nevada. It features a wide variety of full-hookup sites that are just a short drive from the Nevada Northern Railway Museum and the ancient bristlecone pine groves of Great Basin National Park. There are also basic campsites available within the national park if you want to stay amidst its desert valleys and glaciers.
Continue driving north to the Iron Horse RV Resort in Elko, which is renowned as the heart of cowboy country. You can delve into the Old West history at the Nevada Museum and the Western Folklife Center before returning to the sparkling swimming pool or inviting hot tub. Further west lies the New Frontier RV Park, which offers more than 100 full-hookup sites on the doorstep of the Winnemucca Sand Dunes. There are also several ghost towns to explore in the region, together with the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
Visiting Carson City or Lake Tahoe? You can bunk down at the Zephyr Cove RV Park, an award-winning Nevada RV campground complete with laundry facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Whether you want to get lucky in Las Vegas or escape it all in Cathedral Gorge State Park, book a camper rental in Nevada and start planning your adventure.
