By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Lou and Melody, the team behind the Living Our Dream Now YouTube channel, lets us in on a secret to free Nevada camping with unlimited stays, and lots to do in the area. It has blazing-fast cellular connections and is big-rig friendly, too.
At the start of the video, Lou uses Google Maps, so you can see exactly where he is talking about.
What is this great boondocking spot? Snowbird Mesa, located about six miles outside of Overton, NV. It’s kind of between the tip of Lake Mead to the southeast and Valley of Fire State Park to the west, in the vicinity of Las Vegas. Lou says there are also some pretty spectacular vistas from Snowbird Mesa itself.
Surprisingly, this is NOT BLM land, but rather Bureau of Reclamation land. Therefore, no stay limits are enforced here. Lou says some snowbirds spend the entire winter at the aptly named Snowbird Mesa. He said they were nice folks and that he and Melody had no bad experiences here.
After the introduction, it’s time to take a look at what’s in store at this unique, free Nevada camping spot.
As this is the next mesa over from Valley of Fire State Park, a reason a lot of folks visit this area, this camping location allows you to visit Valley of Fire while avoiding campground fees. Ditto the nearby Lake Mead recreation area. Both of these popular attractions are visible from the campsite’s vistas.
There are three fingers or sections to the camping area, so there is plenty of room for privacy. All offer spectacular views.
Happy camping!
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Whoa, according to 43 CFR Part 423.33, the limit on reclamation land is just like BLM managed land, 14 days unless POSTED otherwise with signage under subpart D. Poverty Flats (aka Snowbird Mesa) might be occupied by squatters but it isn’t an unlimited LTVA.
Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-423
Excerpt: (1) You must not camp on Reclamation lands at any single Reclamation recreation facility such as a campground for more than 14 days during any period of 30 consecutive days, except as allowed by permit issued under subpart D of this part.
Too many crazies in the deserts these days… meth labs and crazies. Boondocking, in our opinion, just ain’t safe these days. IF you’re gonna boondock do it in groups and be armed and alert. Safety in numbers.
In the areas mentioned, you won’t see anything as spectacular as what is in Valley of Fire State Park, and there is a fee to get in. Also, there is a fee to go into the Lake Mead National recreation area.
Thank you for noting and summarizing the video, Cheri! Looks, sounds nice. Maybe we’ll get out that way one of these days. In the meantime, I’ll save the informatuon. Have a great weekend and safe travels!