Nellis Dunes Dispersed

Nellis Dunes shows up on Google Maps as, "Apex OHV Recreation Area", but everyone seems to call this place, "Nellis Dunes".

Nellis Dunes is actually a huge area of land, just north of Nellis Air Force Base, but 99% of it is all dunes and off-road trails. Most of the boondockers seem to gravitate towards a small plot of land at the upper north-west side, along Clark R. Petersen Road, right up against the fence that borders with Ritchie Bros. Auctions. This area gives full time RVers enough space away from off-roaders. This area, however, has a lot of gravel, many of it is large gravel, and can seem rocky.

We found mostly peace and quiet during the week, but by the weekend this place fills up with toy haulers. It actually gets rather noisy. If you can instead get out and stay away during the afternoons, you'll be fine. Downtown Las Vegas is only a 20 minute drive away down I-15.

Verizon 4G comes in pretty strong at 4-5 bars. However, we noticed that the signal will completely disappear several times each day, and stay down for 15-30 minutes at a time. I think it may have something to do with nearby Nellis Air Force Base interfering with signal.

Technically, it's a 14-day maximum stay, but we saw no BLM officials enforcing rules. There were RVs here when we got here, and they were still here when we left. I think many stay here for as long as their tanks hold out.

Basically just a big dirt field next to hwy 15. Lots of rocks. Car or RV spot. Wouldn’t want to tent camp here.

Upsides: good views of Vegas to the south, great sunset and sunrise, closest free spot near Vegas.

Downsides: noisy, trashy, no shade, sandy/dusty, rocky, no privacy.

We spent the night here on 4th of July. We actually had a pretty good time catching various firework shows in the city (be sure to have binoculars on you as it really adds to the experience.). At any given time we could see a dozen different firework shows popping off. Plus, we had local fireworks set off by our neighbors, which was a mix of other campers, sightseers, partiers, and ATV’ers.

The bummer was that some of these same people trashed the place, including leaving behind their used fireworks. Some groups kept the celebrations running until sunrise, believe it or not. We didn’t get a great night’s sleep due to this and the fact that it was hotter than shit. To make things more uncomfortable, we had to get up early and leave because there’s no shade and the sun began to bake us as soon as he popped his head over the mountain ridge (not the kind of wake and bake I fancy).

The location of this place loses a star because it’s right next to I-15 and highway 604. There’s no privacy; it’s basically a dirt lot if you wanna call it that. There aren’t any trees or bushes, so you’re totally exposed to those around you in the area and those driving by. If you wanna take a pee, especially as a female, forget it! Or go under the cover of night (if there aren’t people there partying all night.)

I know I totally sound like I’m complaining about the people partying, but that honestly didn’t bother me as much as being exposed to the road, neighbors, and the elements (i.e. sun, heat, wind, sand). It was fun being around all the people on the 4th of July and gave me a musical festival vibe. Any other day, I’d probably not feel the same.

We just needed a place to sleep and it was a Saturday night! Must have been a party going on down the road because tons of cars racing literally up and down the side road to the camping area. Even heard lots of gun fire late in the night toward the party area. The traffic lasted late into the night! As for the area to camp it is really rocky so made it tricky for our RV to get in an out without hitting rocks the size of basketballs. The cell signal would also come and go. The view overlooking Vegas was probably the only good thing.

Only a 20 minute drive in on I-15. We were here by ourselves, other than daytime activities such as ATV’s and fighter jets from local AFB. Plenty of TV stations on antenna.
Downside, parking area is loose large rocks, so drive slow on it. Some road noice from the interstate highway

Even it is just empty land out of vegas. There lots of other rv campers around. Pretty easy road to find. I wouldnt put a tent up but sleeping in ur car or rv is ok. Not as quiet but hey, its free. There are no nearby bathroom. They do provide trashcans around the area. U could use ur phone for calls n text. Utube doesnt really work. Would definitely camp here again. There are no homeless people nearby.

It’s just a big dirt parking lot with huge rocks to tear up your RV. Fight jet noise all day and into the night. This place it terrible.

I guess it's not public land like the old BLM was. All we saw were "No Camping" signs along with OHV business ventures out here in force looking to rent you and ATV and they were the only ones I saw camping overnight. Cha-ching!

So in summary BLM isn't about work-a-days getting to come camp for a weekend with the kids and build memories, no its about public land used by private for profit businesses. Show of hands, anyone NOT surprised by that?

We parked in a parking lot/rest area across the street. Thanks for the great management of this resource BLM.

BLM has closed this area to camping. The rangers are unforgiving and will write you a citation. This appears to be the story within a large area of BLM land around Las Vegas.