Free Camping Nevada

Nevada, famous for its stark desert landscapes, rugged mountains, and wide-open skies, offers more than just the bright lights of Las Vegas. For those who love exploring the outdoors, Nevada is a must-visit destination that is filled with opportunities for camping in some of the most incredible locations, and what makes Nevada even more appealing is that there are some amazing places you can camp for free!

From forested mountain retreats to arid desert wilderness, Nevada has it all. And, to make planning your trip easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best free campsites in Nevada, each of which offers something a little different and all without the need to open your wallet.

Are you ready? Pack your camping gear and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience in the Silver State’s great outdoors!

Free Nevada Camping Spots

• Pine Creek Campground
• Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Overflow Camping Area
• Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
• Ward Mountain Campground

Each of the Nevada camping options listed above is totally free to pull up at and enjoy some dispersed camping. However, as they are pretty remote and most have limited facilities, it’s best to visit them by RV. Contact Travllers Autobarn today to learn more about hiring a campervan or RV, and we’ll help get you on the road to adventure.

Pine Creek Campground

Tucked away in the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, Pine Creek Campground is the perfect choice for any traveler looking for the serenity of a mountain retreat without the cost. Sitting at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the temperatures here are cooler in the warmer months, which is an ideal way of escaping the blistering Nevada heat, and the area is heavily wooded with towering pine trees that provide both shade and seclusion.

Despite being free, Pine Creek offers some basic amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The surrounding area also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, with several hiking trails meandering through the forest and up into the mountains. Wildlife sightings are common here, too, with deer, birds, and even the occasional black bear making an appearance.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables
• Fire Rings
• Vault Toilets

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Overflow Camping Area

Based in central Nevada’s Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, this is one of the most interesting campgrounds you’ll ever stay in and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history. This is because the park is home to the fossilised remains of prehistoric ichthyosaurs, massive marine reptiles that once swam in the seas that covered the areas millions of years ago. The park also preserves the remnants of Berlin, a well-preserved mining town that offers a glimpse into Nevada’s fascinating history.

While the main campgrounds here require a small fee, the overflow camping area is free and is a great alternative for budget-conscious travelers. As you might expect from free camping, the experience here is pretty rustic, and the amenities are limited to a vault toilet and fire ring, so you’ll need to bring your own drinking water and contain your trash.

Along with offering an insight into the past, you’ll also get access to several short hiking trails that end with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert. Also, as the campgrounds are quite remote, they are ideal for stargazing after a day spent exploring this historical treasure trove.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Vault Toilet
• Fire Ring

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

If you’re looking for a mix of desert landscapes and wetlands, you need to head to Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. This is one of the most popular free campsites in Nevada, is located around 90 miles North of Las Vegas, and comes with the added bonus of being surrounded by incredible scenery and loads of wildlife just waiting to be explored.

This campsite is made up of lakes, marshes, and deserts, each of which provides an essential habitat for migratory birds. But don’t worry; the designated camping areas are still easily accessible via sealed roads and, once you’re parked up, it’s the perfect spot to go birdwatching, especially in the spring and autumn when thousands of birds pass through on their way along the Pacific Flyway.

In terms of amenities, like most free campsites in Nevada, things are pretty basic, and there are no hookups. You will, however, have access to fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. The peaceful surroundings here more than make up for the lack of facilities, though, and the nearby lake also provides opportunities for fishing and kayaking, while the hiking trails allow you to get a closer look at the fascinating ecosystems that call Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge home.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Fire Rings
• Picnic Tables
• Vault Toilets

Ward Mountain Campground

Just outside Ely in Eastern Nevada, Ward Mountain Campground offers you a fantastic free camping experience in a more developed setting. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this campground sits at an elevation of over 7,400 feet in the Egan Mountain Range and provides cool temperatures in this summer, along with stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.

As you’d expect from BLM land, this campground is well maintained and features a number of amenities, including picnic tables, fire pits, grills, and vault toilets. There are no hookups of drinking water available, so you’ll need to come prepared with supplies, but the facilities on offer make it a comfortable place to settle in for a few days of relaxation or exploration.

Another great thing about Ward Mountain is that it makes an excellent base for outdoor activities! The nearby Ward Mountain Recreation Area offers up a network of hiking and mountain biking trails, which wind through the forested hills and showcase the amazing views of the Ely Valley along the way. The campgrounds here are also popular with wildlife enthusiasts, as you can easily spot elk, deer, and even wild horses roaming free.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables
• Fire Pits
• Grills
• Vault Toilets

Whether you’re interested in exploring the ancient fossils at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park or birdwatching at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, there are free camping opportunities for everyone in Nevada. However, to enjoy them to the fullest and make sure you’re safe and comfortable throughout your road trip, it’s best to enjoy the free camping experience in a campervan or RV.

At Travellers Autobarn, we offer a large range of vehicles suited to many different needs, and whether you’re travelling solo or with a large group, we have a campervan that perfectly fits your requirements. Even better, all of our campervan rentals come with unlimited miles as standard, meaning you can roam Nevada at your own pace without any worries about incurring extra costs.

Get in touch with us today, and let us help make your dreams of the perfect free camping in Nevada vacation come true! Or, if you’re looking for some more awesome spots to enjoy camping in Nevada, take a look at our selection of Top 10 Campervan Campgrounds in Nevada.

DISCLAIMER: Any prices displayed are correct at the time of publishing. We highly recommend contacting any campsite or RV park prior to booking to confirm prices. Please ensure you review our Terms and Conditions before visiting certain campsites.