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Camping in Nevada: campsites, permits and passes

Camping in Nevada starts in one of a few places: Nevada State Parks for state park campsites, Recreation.gov for federal campgrounds, or free dispersed camping on National Forest and BLM land. Here's where to book each, plus permits, passes and licences.

Most people go to:

State park campsites

Nevada state park campgrounds are booked through Nevada State Parks ↗. Book as early as you can for summer and holiday weekends, and check each park's page for cabins, yurts, group sites and pet rules.

National parks in Nevada

• Great Basin National Park
• Death Valley (part) National Park

Campgrounds in national parks are booked on Recreation.gov. See every park, monument and historic site in Nevada on the National Park Service Nevada page ↗.

National forests and free camping

Nevada's national forests include Humboldt-Toiyabe. Developed campgrounds are booked on Recreation.gov (some are first-come, first-served), and most national forest land allows free dispersed camping away from developed sites, usually for up to 14 days. Check the forest's rules and any fire restrictions first.

Nevada also has large areas of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, where dispersed camping is generally free and allowed for up to 14 days in one spot unless posted otherwise. See BLM recreation ↗.

Permits and lotteries

Most camping in Nevada doesn't need a special permit beyond your campsite reservation. Some wilderness areas, rivers and busy trailheads do; check the managing agency before you go.

Fishing and hunting licences

Licences for Nevada are sold by the Nevada Department of Wildlife ↗, online or at local retailers. Rules and seasons differ by species and water, so check before you go.

Passes

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at national parks and many federal lands in Nevada. State parks usually sell their own day or annual passes; see Nevada State Parks.

Best time to camp in Nevada

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the sweet spots. Summer heat in low deserts is dangerous; head to higher elevations instead.

Questions

Packing checklists

Nearby states (Southwest)