Advice on Las Vegas and Hoover Springtime

[rodsterinfl]

Ok, forum peeps, I am planning on being in Las Vegas to see Hoover dam and look around two days camping this spring. What would you suggest as camping sites and tour companies of the dam that are worth the cost?

[RedCelicaTRD]

A little bit out of the way, but have you ever been to Valley of Fire State Park? They have a campground with hookups if needed. About an hour north east of Las Vegas, and to the west of the tip of Lake Mead. You go through the Lake Mead recreation area to get into Las Vegas. Pretty neat area with crazy rock formations and the chance to see mountain goats and wild donkeys.

[mojo]

Boulder Beach is close to dam. The dam offers their own tours. If you want the strip, Oasis is a good spot. But Valley of Fire is a great spot away from it all.

[rodsterinfl]

Thank you both for your advice and input. I did not know that the dam does their own tours, interesting.

Inside info is always good because you can save money and not get ripped off as easily.

[Mollysdad]

I took the scenic drive on the north shore of Lake Mead and it was beautiful.
The dam tour is great, I took the one 500' underground showing the turbines.
It's a bit unnerving to hear water rushing over your head somewhere in the rocks.
Depending on the week NASCAR is in Vegas in the spring.
I'm not a gambler so the 'vibe' a bit overwhelming, but the shows are great.
I'd like a tour of "The Sphere" since it's open.

Although you can drive over Hoover dam, the road deadends shortly after. It's no longer the highway. The new bridge is stunning, but from the road you can't see the dam (so traffic doesn't pile up rubbernecking)
There is a parking garage next to the dam so walking is easy.

[Ray Eklund]

Just into Lake Mead National Recreation Area out of Boulder City are many dry camping spots called Lakeshore 'Trailer' Village and Boulder Beach. You will PAY a reasonable price per day. Water and rest rooms... Boulder Beach is a good dry camping large variety of trailer camping among tall trees.

There are also other camping areas to the north in the area.

If you drive through the entire Lake Mead route, head north 40 miles to the North Entrance and just outside, start looking for Dry Campers scattered about the hills. Public Lands and you will see large RV's and Trailers with lots of empty space to set up camp anywhere you like. The north entrance is usually closed and you just drive into the area to the south. The south entrance is most likely to wave you through...

To explore, take any side paved road heading East towards Lake Mead. The water level is low... so lots of beach.

There are roads to the Colorado River to the South of Lake Mead, on Highway 93. The commercial boat launch sites are pricy. Good view of the clear, cold Colorado River.

If you have a DeLorme Nevada Atlas... page 71... you will see a road going to the Colorado River. One of the few exits to the East on this highway 93. It is a few miles in... and the camping area is at the... end. Look for a spot that is flat... Now everyone will know about this spot.

No... we have never camped, parked a trailer or visited Lake Mead....

Neanderthals are Prohibited during day light hours.

[suncoasteng]

You need to stay more than 2 days. At the minimum, one Day for the dam & Lake Mead, one day for Valley of Fire, one or two days in Vegas and a half day trip to Mt Charleston

[Mikechrisman]

We just stayed at Red Rock Canyon state campground last month. There are no hookups nor cell service but even though Vegas is a 15 minute drive it feels like you are away from it all. We drove to the Lake Mead visitor’s center and walked the original route of the railroad built to carry supplies to Hoover dam during construction. Very cool! Years ago we did the dam tour just be sure to do the hard hat tour that takes you down into the dam itself.

[ironman162]

We definitely would recommend Willow Beach (AZ), below the dam on the Colorado river. Great hookups, cement pads, superb showers, store, etc. Wonderful kayaking on the river - even boat rentals and fishing. Really nice. We have stayed there several time. It does get pretty warm in the summer however (like everything else in the area) but you stay quite cool on the river.

[rodsterinfl]

So far my itinerary is two full days. I have an outline to go to the dam at 9am and get the earliest Dam Tour then leave and drive through Lake Mead area to Valley of Fire and tour then return to Las Vegas my second day.

The first day is nosing around in Las Vegas.

I am still open on where to stay. One person told me to consider Las Vegas RV resort for full hookups- about $50 a night. Others have mentioned great outer area sites. I have a bit of flexibility. My next stop is Death Valley after Las Vegas. I dont really gamble so casinos are not as much an interest as other things in the area.