First-come camping in Nevada (no reservation needed)

Nevada has 37 public campgrounds you can camp at without a reservation, 27 free and 8 charging a fee. Most (28 of 37) are run by the U.S. Forest Service.

Total

Reservable

First-come

First-come campgrounds vs. dispersed camping

Every campground below is a named, developed site that takes no reservations: show up, find an open site, pay if there's a fee. Dispersed camping (boondocking) is different: camping on open public land away from any campground. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26). Where that land is in Nevada, and each unit's own rule: Nevada BLM land on publiclandsdb.com.

Most first-come campgrounds by town: 7 near Jarbidge , 6 near Ely , 5 near Austin , and 3 near Owyhee .

Agency

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First-come Alum Creek Mineral · National Forest

First-come Belmont Campground Belmont · National Forest

First-come Berry Creek Campground Ely · National Forest

First-come Big Bend Campground Owyhee · National Forest

First-come Big Creek Campground Austin · National Forest

First-come Bob Scott Campground Austin · National Forest

First-come Cherry Creek Campground Caliente · National Forest

First-come Cleve Creek Campground Ely · BLM

First-come Columbine Campground Austin · National Forest

First-come Desert Creek Campground Douglas · National Forest First-come Divine Springs Campground Washoe · BLM

First-come Illipah Reservoir Recreation Area Ely · BLM

First-come Jack Creek Campground Owyhee · National Forest

First-come Jarbidge Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Kalamazoo Campground Ely · National Forest

First-come Kingston Campground Kingston · National Forest

First-come Kyle Canyon Campground Las Vegas · National Forest

First-come Lower Bluster Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Lye Creek Campground Paradise Valley · National Forest

First-come Meadow Valley Campground Pioche · BLM

First-come Pavlak Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Peavine Creek Campground Hadley · National Forest

First-come Pine Creek Campground Belmont · National Forest

First-come Pine Creek Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Sacramento Pass Recreation Area Ely · BLM

First-come San Juan Dispersed Campground Austin · National Forest

First-come Sawmill Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Slide Creek Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Snake Creek Primitive Campsites White Pine · National Park Service

First-come Sportsman's Beach Recreation Site Mineral · BLM

First-come Steven's Camp Recreation Area Washoe · BLM First-come Tabor Creek Campground Wells · BLM

First-come Toquima Cave Campground Austin · National Forest

First-come Upper Bluster Campground Jarbidge · National Forest

First-come Urdahl Campground Elko · National Forest

First-come White River Campground Ely · National Forest

First-come Wildhorse Crossing Campground Owyhee · National Forest

Common questions

Is there free camping in Nevada?

Yes. 27 public campgrounds here are free and first-come: Alum Creek, Belmont Campground, Berry Creek Campground, Big Creek Campground, and 23 more.

Can you camp on BLM land in Nevada?

Yes, in most places. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26). Where BLM land is and each unit's own rule: publiclandsdb.com.

Campgrounds you can book ahead: camping in Nevada.