Government Wash Dispersed Camping
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Write a Review Government Wash Rd. Boulder City, NV 89005 702-293-8990 Official WebsiteGPS: 36.1309, -114.8369
Overview of Government Wash Dispersed Camping
Entrance fee into Lake Mead National Recreation Area applies. Visitors can purchase a 7-day or annual pass.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by camper-907897 on 2/23/2024
Longest RV Reported: 44 feet (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel)
Reported by BandLOnWheels on 3/4/2023
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 1,213 ft / 369 m
Max Stay 15
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Government Wash Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 702-293-8990
nicdom13 asked on 3/25/2021
It says it's free, but then it says permit required. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Flyswadder asked on 5/29/2023
Where's the potable water in the rec area. Lots of folks say they have it, none say where.
Reviews of Government Wash Dispersed Camping 74 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 43 Users
Last reported 2/23/2024
Confirmed by 25 Users
Last reported 2/23/2024
Confirmed by 19 Users
Last reported 2/23/2024
“RV Campers have basically made it a town”
Reviewed 2/23/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | None |
Overall Rating
It’s ok if you aren’t looking for piece and, quite or, privacy. If you’re camping in a tent or car forget about it. People in buses RVs have made this place there permanently housed home. Oh if you have a car don’t try and park overnight on the pavement the nicely Ranger will wake you up bright early telling you to go past the red cone... more
It’s ok if you aren’t looking for piece and, quite or, privacy. If you’re camping in a tent or car forget about it. People in buses RVs have made this place there permanently housed home. Oh if you have a car don’t try and park overnight on the pavement the nicely Ranger will wake you up bright early telling you to go past the red cones but guess what there isn’t any spots because you got ignorant homeless Van campers and, RVers living out here. One don’t bring your kids it’s not safe two spend the extra $20.00 go to Las Vegas camp ground you’d be better off. Two the people that are out here live here so remember that. Two it’s sad that others have ruined the experience for others or, have no curiosity anymore. The ramp is closed the bathrooms where gross and, you got dirty old men trying to talk to the teenagers out here so no I would not recommend this camp ground. The Rangers need to give the same curiosity to all campers not just RVers this isn’t a RV only camp ground!
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AT&T 5G
Verizon 5G
T-Mobile 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great place close to Vegas”
Reviewed 1/10/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
Overall Rating
Road in is paved until parking lot, not maintained. Then Gravel. Have seen a lot worse. You can stay at the beginning with spots next to the road. Further in are nicer spots , scout ahead and find one of the level ones. Some go in until the lake, adjust to your vehicle and your comfort level. Do not drive in areas with deep tire tracks... more
Road in is paved until parking lot, not maintained. Then Gravel. Have seen a lot worse. You can stay at the beginning with spots next to the road. Further in are nicer spots , scout ahead and find one of the level ones. Some go in until the lake, adjust to your vehicle and your comfort level. Do not drive in areas with deep tire tracks, had to help getting a camper out, but they are easily identifiable. Cars passing usually go fishing,
Dumpster is nice. Free with park pass.
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T-Mobile 4G
Spookteam would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Since Stay At Lake Mead”
Reviewed 10/28/2023
Overall Rating
Basically quiet. You can find better spots far off to get away from people. Better to have a 4x4. You can easily get stuck if you don’t in some areas. Stayed 3 nights. Had great sun for solar. Left due to high wind warning for Lake mead.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lots Of Space, Lots Of People”
Reviewed 4/17/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
I drove 2 miles in from the paved road. There are lots of people closer to the road and it starts to thin out as you get further in. Roads were fine. I just went slow. Quite a few cars driving out after dark until about 9:00, then was quiet and dark.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Loved It ”
Reviewed 4/16/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 15 |
Overall Rating
Absolutely beautiful! Saw the mixed reviews but had no problems at all, saw nothing sketchy. Loved exploring Hoover dam, lake mead, and Vegas. Dumpsters at the front. Wide open spots. The wind never stopped.
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AT&T 5G
Verizon 5G
amberx13 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wide Open, And Lots Of Camping Areas”
Reviewed 4/9/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
Overall Rating
We arrived before the Easter weekend. It did seem busy, but we took it for a holiday weekend. We made it out quite a ways, without 4WD. But when you go down further, you will need 4X4. Salt or gypsum ground very deep in areas and not level what do ever. You will encounter washboard roads down below. You are a good Mike from the water. ... more
We arrived before the Easter weekend. It did seem busy, but we took it for a holiday weekend. We made it out quite a ways, without 4WD. But when you go down further, you will need 4X4. Salt or gypsum ground very deep in areas and not level what do ever. You will encounter washboard roads down below. You are a good Mike from the water. There are places around the lake, and even Las Vegas lake, is near by. Their runoff makes a great little stream to cool off in.
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T-Mobile 5G
Fishchaser would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good Roads & View”
Reviewed 3/25/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|
Overall Rating
Nice roads and view. It was a bit crowded. The area we stayed appeared to have other campers who stay on a semi-permanent basis. Great location & views, but if we come again, we’ll go to one of the dispersed area a couple miles farther east. Had a coyote walk by in the morning.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Relatively easy access, free with national park pass.”
Reviewed 3/21/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 6 |
Overall Rating
32 foot class A with dolly tow. Relatively easy access but watch out for large potholes in the main parking area. Most of the unpaved roads were hard packed and we were able to traverse them without difficulty. 45 minutes from Los Vegas and the hoover dam, 20 minutes from Henderson. No water in large parking lot, however ther... more
32 foot class A with dolly tow.
Relatively easy access but watch out for large potholes in the main parking area. Most of the unpaved roads were hard packed and we were able to traverse them without difficulty.
45 minutes from Los Vegas and the hoover dam, 20 minutes from Henderson.
No water in large parking lot, however there are options for water or dump nearby.
Great hiking trails that are dog friendly.
Boondocking areas had lots of broken glass and I found several rust nails, so watch out.
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T-Mobile 5G
Jackson-Grey would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful landscape, remote outside of Vegas ”
Reviewed 3/20/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 14 |
Overall Rating
Very secluded spots with pull off options along the road as you drive. There are a few different paths, but at a certain point our Class A couldn't make it any further. However, we were still very close to the lake. I saw several others go further with more off-road ability. The road was pretty bumpy, but take it slow and you'll be ok.... more
Very secluded spots with pull off options along the road as you drive. There are a few different paths, but at a certain point our Class A couldn't make it any further. However, we were still very close to the lake. I saw several others go further with more off-road ability. The road was pretty bumpy, but take it slow and you'll be ok. No major potholes or hairpin turns. There are dumpsters on the way in/out and vault toilet bathrooms at the end of the dirt road when it turns to pavement. You can access Lake Mead from most sites with a short walk. Hoover Dam is nearby as well as Arizona hot springs so be sure to check those out while you're in the area.
$25 pass required per vehicle so not totally free, if you aren't towing your vehicle they will make you pay for two.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Just okay”
Reviewed 3/4/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 44' (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
We came in on a Sunday night of a Monday holiday weekend (mistake on our part). It was very full of people. We had to do a lot of driving around in our 44 foot fifth wheel to find an open space. We tried a few places, but many were very unlevel for our size trailer. We ended up getting this skinny pullout spot, that was just wide enoug... more
We came in on a Sunday night of a Monday holiday weekend (mistake on our part). It was very full of people. We had to do a lot of driving around in our 44 foot fifth wheel to find an open space. We tried a few places, but many were very unlevel for our size trailer. We ended up getting this skinny pullout spot, that was just wide enough for the trailer, but you walked out into a brim of dirt. It was also surprisingly noisy with cars passing by. We planned to stay a week but ended up leaving the following day and stayed at one of the campgrounds (much nicer choice) even though we generally prefer to boondock. YMMV, but it was out least favorite spot thus far. Gave it 3 stars, though experience was worse than that for us, but I could see the appeal.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 1 of 8
13 reviews
noted 11/2/2019
Boosted:
40 / 15 ATT
50 / 10 Verizon
20 / 15 TMobile
14 reviews
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Government Wash Improved – Aluminarium
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Just Finding Our Way: A Slice of Quartzsite
There are a couple things I like to do in a situation like Government Wash. Further from the entrance is usually better and away from the road to the destination - in this case, the main road to the bo...
283 reviews
Lake Mead Boondocking - Aluminarium
Yesterday we moved from Red Rock on the west side of Las Vegas to Lake Mead on the east side. In addition to it having a phenomenal view, it’s free and we also have cell service (Red Rock didn...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- pull thru
Facilities
- restrooms: flush
- trash
Pets
- pets
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