Most of us associate casinos and bright lights with the state of Nevada, but it is also a camper’s paradise. It has great hiking trails at Great Basin National Park (nearly 10,000 feet above sea level), fishing and boating at beautiful Lake Tahoe, historic mining towns like Virginia City, ghost towns deserted by the silver-mining industry, and fabulous museums, such as the one in Carson City. It’s always fun, however, to clean up after an invigorating hike and drive into Las Vegas or Reno to experience some of the spectacular lights, shows and fun the casino cities have to offer.
Every experienced camper knows that KOA campgrounds are the premium campgrounds, and Nevada has several to choose from. Take your pick from the alphabetical list describing each below:
ELY KOA
This KOA Campground is open all year. It is close to the outdoor pleasures and beauty of Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves (rich in marble and limestone foundations) Cave Lake and plenty of ghost towns to explore. Tent sites are grassy, and shade trees are plentiful. Outdoor movies are shown nightly, as well as scavenger hunts and ice cream socials. There are miniature burros and even a corral to store your horses at this spectacular KOA. Location: 3 miles south on Highway 93, 50 and 6. For more information, write to Ely KOA, HC 10, Box 10800, Ely, NV 89301, or email [email protected], or call 775-289-3413 or 800-562-3413 (reservation line).
LAS VEGAS/CIRCUS-CIRCUS KOA
Open all year, this KOA claims to be the world’s most exciting campground. It has all any KOA has to offer, and right on the strip of Las Vegas! Circus-Circus is known for its indoor theme park, which is loved by kids of all ages. Great hiking trails and day trips (such as Hoover Dam) are a fairly short drive away. This KOA offers a dog park and dog run for your pet. Location: Take the junction of I-15 and Sahara (cross overpass), take the first right to Industrial Road, then turn left to entrance. For more information, write to: Las Vegas / Circus Circus KOA, 500 Circus Circus Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89109, or email [email protected], or call 702-733-9707 or 800-562-7270 (reservation line).
THE LAUGHLIN/AVI CASINO KOA
Located on the beautiful shores of the Colorado River, 11 miles from the main Laughlin strip, this KOA only allows self-contained camping (no tents, vans or pop-ups). This is more of what I like to call a luxury’ KOA. The campground is directly across the street from the casino,
