Car Camping Resources

Car camping is a great way to save money and travel in your off time while working on an AIM crew. There are often a handful of people each season that choose to car camp, and it makes for a wonderful sense of community. Car camping is not for everyone, but if you are interested in giving it a try, below are some helpful recourses.

Las Vegas Camping

Although the Las Vegas office is directly adjacent to BLM land, it is important to note that camping is NOT permitted on that land due to the BLM exclusion zone. Luckily, there are plenty of other free camping options in the Las Vegas area:

Lovell Canyon

Lovell Canyon is a beautiful dispersed camping spot, about a 30 minute drive from the Las Vegas field office. Sitting at about 5,000ft in elevation, it is the perfect spot to get away from the heat of the city. Lovell Canyon is a camping site with no amenities, so if you are visiting, be sure to practice leave no trace principles.

Lovell Canyon coordinates: (36.04487, -115.55480)

Jean Roach Lake Bed

About a 30 minute drive from the office at a much lower elevation than Lovell, the lakebed is perfect for those days in training when it still a bit colder outside. This is a dispersed camping site with no amenities, so be sure to practice leave no trace principles.

Jean Roach Lake Bed coordinates: (35.76826, -115.26637)

Government Wash, Lake Mead

Government Wash is about a 45 minute drive from the office. This could be a good option for the day after hitch ends. The dispersed camping in the area is free, but entrance to the area requires a fee or a National Parks pass. This is a dispersed camping site with no amenities, so be sure to practice leave no trace principles.

Government Wash coordinates: (36.12342, -114.83082)

Showers and Amenities

One of the more stressful aspects of car-living, is finding spots to shower. Luckily, there is a Planet Fitness only a 5 minute drive from the Las Vegas Field Office, that offers memberships for as cheap as $10/Month.

For Drinking water, feel free to fill up at the field office.

Reno Camping

Below are some camping options within a close vicinity to the Washoe office. These spots are going to give you the quickest commute to work, but if you have time to explore the greater Reno/Tahoe area, you will find that there are many beautiful campsites to choose from.

The Grassy Spot

The Grassy Spot is a small patch of public land, only a 5 minute drive from the Washoe office. This is the perfect spot for the nights before, and after hitch. The Grassy Spot is a popular area for dog walkers, so be sure to drive slowly down the gravel road, and be respectful. This is a patch of public land with no amenities, so practice leave no trace principals, and pack out all waste.

Grassy Spot coordinates: (39.3034221, -119.813739)

The Wasteland

The Wasteland is a 20 minute drive from the Washoe office. The road has variable conditions, and 4WD is recommended. This is a dispersed camping site with no amenities, so be sure to practice leave no trace principles.

Wasteland coordinates: 39.382223, -119.797097

Davis Creek

Davis Creek is an established campground, only a 5 minute drive from the Washoe office. Davis Creek is a fee-area, for $25/night. Davis Creek has coin operated showers, restrooms, trash-disposal, and plenty of tree cover for those hot days in the summer.

Davis Creek address: 25 Davis Creek Road, Washoe Valley, NV 89704

Washoe Lake State Park Campground

This is another established campground, with a fee of $20/night. In the past, some GBI folks have purchased an Annual Permit, for access to all NV state parks, with no fee. Washoe Lake State Park is equipped with restrooms, (limited) showers, and trash disposal.

Washoe Lake State Park Address: 4855 Eastlake Blvd. Carson City, NV 89704

Showers and Amenities

The Cheapest option for a shower is Reno's local Planet Fitness, with memberships for as cheap as $10/Month. There are also some rock climbing gyms in the area that offer showers, including Mesa Rim, and North Peak.

For Drinking water, feel free to fill up at the field office.

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