Expert: CmdrMark - 10/29/2007

Question
I was wondering if you could tell me where the closest free camping is to Las Vegas. Anywhere other than Wal-Mart that I can park my car and sleep out of it. THANK YOU

Answer
>I was wondering if you could tell me where the closest free camping is to Las Vegas. Anywhere other than Wal-Mart that I can park my car and sleep out of it. THANK YOU

There's little free camping near Las Vegas. You may camp on BLM property but in a 20 mile radius of Las Vegas (the Las Vegas Valley), there's no camping permitted. See this site for more info: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/lvfo_recreation/camping.html . I'd urge you to contact the BLM directly to see if they might recommend any areas outside the "closed zone" - 702-515-5000. Their offices are located at 4701 North Torrey Pines, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 and will have maps and lots of info there.

There are a number of truck stops where the big rigs often park and the drivers catch a few winks - this is certainly a possibility. A quick search revealed eight truck stops in and around Las Vegas ( http://local.yahoo.com/NV/Las+Vegas/Automotive/Trucks/Truck+Stops )

Camping at in-town places (Circus-Circus KOA) will be quite pricey exceeding $65 a day (you can do better getting a room in one of the off-strip, non-casino hotels or perhaps downtown hotels such as the Plaza or El Cortez).

Camping is available at Valley of Fire about an hour North of Las Vegas - Cost is $14.00 per night per vehicle (6.00 entry fee + 8.00 campsite fee). Camping is on a first come/first served basis. Toilets, showers and WATER are available! This is HOT in summer months (and I mean "hotter than hell" type HOT!)

Sorry I couldn't have been of more assistance.

Regards,
CmdrMark - http://www.cmdrmark.com