Pulling into Red Rock Canyon late Friday night (Oct 30th). Will I be able to get a campsite?

I'm coming in with a party of 7 climbers to RR this weekend. Reservations are all booked up for group sites. Will there be any spots open if we just roll into camp?

Looks like the main road closes, so we can't just drive out and camp in the back country? Am I missing something?

Thanks guys/gals! First trip to RR and I'm excited!!

I'd say your chances of finding an open spot are pretty slim. I've arrived to find all the campsites full, but found a site that was half occupied (I think you're allowed 2 cars and 2 tents) and the other climbers let us share the site in exchange for some beer. That strategy will be difficult with 7 people though. You can typically stay relatively cheaply in a hotel in vegas. Also, you might try to find a house on AirBNB in summerlin area. I think there are a few spots where you can discreetly camp in the vicinity of Red Rocks, but it's probably more trouble than its worth.

The rules.

blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/bl…
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If you are pulling in late then maybe throw down in the walk in site and sort yourself in the morning. I expect the host cruises the campground at sunrise... about 7:00 AM. Maybe you can park by the bulletin board, walk the camp and disperse among other camps once people are getting up.

Looks like OK weather for the weekend. We might get a slight drizzle tomorrow.

It's very difficult to find anywhere to "outlaw camp" near Red Rocks. Work on that in daylight. IMO you'd prefer higher clearance 4WD to access potential places.

Last year several climbers opened their place to visitors. This season there are a couple longer term rentals but nothing short term. A casino room is always an option. Showers at Chuck Minker Rec Center on Stewart St. or Red Rocks gym

Please do not camp in the Calico Basin Area. There are many signs up stating this fact. While other climbers may not say anything the locals that live there will surely not be happy about it. Access has been touchy there for years and as more and more crowds come in and misuse the area it will get worse. A group of 7 people will be noticed camping there. PLEASE DO NOT CAMP IN CALICO BASIN.

andy r wrote:Please do not camp in the Calico Basin Area. There are many signs up stating this fact. While other climbers may not say anything the locals that live there will surely not be happy about it. Access has been touchy there for years and as more and more crowds come in and misuse the area it will get worse. A group of 7 people will be noticed camping there. PLEASE DO NOT CAMP IN CALICO BASIN.

+1

This bares repeating....

PLEASE DO NOT CAMP IN CALICO BASIN.

PLEASE DON'T CAMP IN CALICO BASIN
If you want to do some illegal camping, do it somewhere where you'll only piss off BLM and not area residents.
Say for instance, Black Velvet Canyon.
My hope is that someday in the future they'll put a campsite back there anyway.

Thanks for the support.
Here is an idea if you have a higher clearance car, drive up rocky gap road a ways with a permit obtained here and legally camp. blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/bl…
williow spring is at about 4,500 feet you just gotta drive to get above 5,000.

If rolling in late on a Friday night, maybe head up to the Lovell Canyon dispersed camping if the campground is full. Or look for a cheap hotel and...if splitting 7 ways, that can almost be cheaper than the campground here.

Chase D wrote: I highly doubt anyone will say anything, especially since you are rolling in late and getting up early to climb.

I highly doubt anyone wouldn't say anything, most likely a ranger giving you a fat ticket.

Not often but ...Rangers do patrol Black Velvet parking.

If you are into driving that far...For Lovell Canyon exit on Rd. 546 after you pass Mountain Springs going towards Pahrump. Guess it depends if you are coming from Cali, AZ, northern NV or Utah.

+1... Please do not camp anywhere near Calico Basin.

What are the chances that one of you would be willing to snag an individual spot for us Friday morning? You are welcome to come crag with us and we will feed you plenty of beer and snacks! AND you get to hang out and crag with some super cool climbers!

will ar wrote:I think there are a few spots where you can discreetly camp in the vicinity of Red Rocks, but it's probably more trouble than its worth.

Aren't most/all of those pretty sketch?

If the OP is considering a hotel room(s):
vegas.com/resorts/

We are staying in strip sat night onwards. But we'd like to camp at least one night.

Thanks for all the replies thus far, you guys/gals are great!

Now..... If I could only find someone to reserve us an individual site..... Haha

BryanOC wrote:We are staying in strip sat night onwards. But we'd like to camp at least one night.

I can see the appeal of camping, but frankly the Red Rocks BLM campground is one of the least appealing I've ever seen.

I guess it depends where on the strip, but generally I've found staying well off the strip is far preferable. The traffic on and around the strip adds a lot of commute time to RR.

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the info! We are going to be staying at the Venetian on Sat night, I'll be there until Tues for work stuff. But my climbing party will only be staying/climbing until Sunday evening.

Two of the girls in our group just moved here from France and have never really experienced a proper Vegas night before, so naturally we'll take them out to a bar/club right? 'Merica!!!!

Do we have any solo climbers here that want to join our group? And snag us an individual site?