McWilliams
Date filmed:2024-09-04
Number of sites:75
GPS:36.30806, -115.67854
Max vehicle length:60 Feet
Quiet hours:10:00pm - 8:00am

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Flushing Toilets
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
Tents
Accessible Sites
RVs
Activities
Hiking
Rock Climbing
Biking
Scenic Driving
Picnicking

Things to Do

McWilliams Campground to Death Valley

A Roadtrip Episode

Featured: McWilliams

McWilliams Campground, near Las Vegas, offers a cool forested retreat with Ponderosa pines and Yosemite-like scenery. Further along, Rhyolite's ruins and nearby Goldwell Open Air Museum showcase Nevada’s gold rush history and surreal art. The adventure begins at the McWilliams Campground, nestled in the Spring Mountains just northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sitting at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, this serene forested oasis offers a cool escape from the sweltering desert heat below. Ponderosa pines tower over the campground, filling the air with their sweet, vanilla-like aroma. The rugged gray peaks in the background evoke a Yosemite-like ambiance, creating a stark contrast to the bustling Las Vegas Strip just a short drive away. For campers, McWilliams provides spacious, well-maintained sites, complete with unique fire rings and paved areas. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or a staging ground for high-altitude exploration, this site captures the quiet beauty of Nevada’s wilderness. Further along the journey lies the ghost town of Rhyolite, a relic of Nevada's gold rush era. Founded in the early 1900s, Rhyolite was once a bustling hub supported by the Montgomery Shoshone Mine and the investments of Charles Schwab. Today, visitors can explore its iconic ruins, including the Cook Bank Building and the railroad station, which once symbolized the town’s brief but ambitious rise. Nearby, the Goldwell Open Air Museum offers a surreal juxtaposition of art and history, featuring sculptures like "The Last Supper" and a prospector accompanied by a whimsical penguin. Together, Rhyolite and its surroundings paint a vivid picture of the highs and lows of Nevada's mining boom, offering an unforgettable stop on the road to Death Valley.

Arch Rock Campground Overview

See Our Favorite Sites!

Featured: Arch Rock, Atlatl, McWilliams

Arch Rock Campground is one of two campgrounds located inside of Valley of Fire State Park. It is a little less developed than neighboring Atlatl campground, but we think it is a more immersive environment. This campground is a little deeper into the red rocks that let you pretend you are camping on Mars. This video will give you basic campground and park information, review campground amenities, and we'll also show you the sites that we think are the best, including the one we want to book the next time we go. Arch Rock campground to this day remains our #1 favorite campground, mainly due to the unique environment.

Discovering Hidden Gems in the Mojave Desert

Desert Dreaming - A Road Trip Adventure

Featured: McWilliams

We're setting off deep into the Mojave Desert to see what we can find - Joshua trees, old mines, incredible bridges, scenic landscapes, and more. Join us on our behind-the-scenes road trip as we venture into Nevada and California. Starting off in a forest of Joshua trees, we take in the landscape filled with hundreds if not thousands of these amazing trees. But soon it is time to set off for our lodging for our 3-day stay - the Sands Motel in Boulder City, Nevada. This charming mid-century motel gets a thumb of approval from us amidst a lot of historic old motels and restaurants. The next morning we set off for our first destination but not before fueling up with coffee and taking a short stop at the Mike O'Callaghan and Pat Tillman Bridge which overlooks the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam spanning across the Arizona-Nevada state line. With our first destination wrapped up and filmed, we set off and shortly discover so interesting mine shafts in the side of the mountainous landscape. A short exploration tells us that we need to research more about this old mine and maybe come back. Guided by the advice of a kind gentleman we then head for a scenic recreation area next to the Colorado River where the water runs deep blue and green and the Earth rises in craggy peaks. NOT to be missed. A rainstorm leads us to our accommodations where we rest for the remainder of our Mojave trip.

The THRILLING Back Way to Nelson Ghost town

Nelson Rollercoaster Trail, Nevada

Featured: McWilliams

Join us as we navigate Mojave Desert on our search for Nelson Ghost Town. We're going to take the back way in, on a road known as the 'Nelson Rollercoaster' This watch is a must for dirt road driving enthusiasts! The road got its name for a reason! Along the way we come across abandoned mines, and apocalyptic scenery reminiscent of the Fallout video game series. Finally, we'll set foot in Nelson Ghost Town, a Las Vegas favorite for exploring the remnants of a historic ghost town from the 1800's. The town was known for murder and mayhem back in the old west, and today its a photographer's wonderland.

The Bunkerville Choo Choo

The Old Mining Roads of Nevada

Featured: McWilliams

The Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route in Nevada winds through the Virgin Mountain foothills, offering a thrilling journey past historic mines, scenic canyons like the Seeps, and natural wonders like Keyhole Rock, all amidst free range cattle grazing lands. The Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route in Nevada is a captivating trail that combines history, natural beauty, and thrilling offroad challenges. Located near Bunkerville, this trail spans approximately 30 miles and winds through the picturesque Virgin Mountain foothills. Its name pays homage to a rail car that was once used as a water tender for cattle grazing in the area, highlighting its historical significance. As offroad enthusiasts embark on this adventure, they encounter a variety of terrains ranging from sandy washes to rocky ridges and narrow canyons. The trail is known for its technical obstacles and diverse landscape, making it a favorite among those seeking both excitement and scenic views of the Mojave Desert. Along the route, adventurers will come across remnants of the Key West Mine and the Great Eastern Mine, reminders of the region's mining history. The trail also passes through the stunning Seeps Canyon, where the natural beauty of the granite rock formations can be admired. One of the notable landmarks on the Bunkerville Choo Choo trail is Keyhole Rock, a captivating natural arch that beckons travelers to pause and take in its unique beauty. Moreover, the trail traverses free range cattle grazing land, so travelers should keep an eye out for livestock along the way. The combination of historical sites, natural wonders, and challenging terrain makes the Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route a memorable and rewarding experience for offroad enthusiasts exploring the rugged landscapes of Nevada.

Campground Overview

McWilliams Campground – Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Spring Mountains NRA

McWilliams Campground is a high-elevation forest campground in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, set in Lee Canyon just west of Las Vegas, Nevada. Surrounded by ponderosa and white pines and cool mountain air, this campground is a popular escape from the desert heat below. With paved roads, spacious sites, and quick access to some of the area’s best hiking trails, McWilliams makes an excellent base camp for exploring Mount Charleston and the surrounding Spring Mountains.

Location & Access

McWilliams Campground sits at roughly 8,300–8,600 feet in elevation in Lee Canyon, about 50 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Campers reach the area by driving U.S. Highway 95 north out of Las Vegas, then turning onto State Route 156 (Lee Canyon Road) and following it up the canyon to the signed campground entrance. The drive is paved the entire way and offers sweeping views of the Spring Mountains, making the journey itself part of the experience. Nearby attractions include the Lee Canyon Ski Resort, Old Mill Picnic Area, and the open meadows and viewpoints that dot the recreation area.

Campground Overview

McWilliams is one of the largest and most developed campgrounds in the Spring Mountains NRA, with around 75 campsites spread across multiple loops among the pines. Sites are generally spacious and can accommodate tents, trailers, and many RVs, with a mix of single and double sites available. Thanks to the elevation and dense tree cover, summer temperatures are typically much cooler than in the Las Vegas Valley, making this a very popular warm-weather weekend destination. Reservations are often available for some sites, with others offered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on season and forest service management.

Amenities

Despite its mountain setting, McWilliams Campground offers a solid set of amenities. Each site generally includes a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, and the campground features paved roads and parking spurs for easier access. Flush toilets and drinking water are typically available in-season, along with trash collection and a host area. There are no electrical hookups or showers, so this remains a more traditional national forest camping experience, but the combination of cool air, shade, and basic comforts makes it feel both rustic and convenient at the same time.

Hiking Trails & Nearby Recreation

One of the biggest draws of McWilliams Campground is its proximity to some of the best hiking and biking in the Spring Mountains. The campground sits near the Bristlecone Trail, a roughly 6.2-mile loop that climbs through high-elevation forest and offers views of ancient bristlecone pines and the surrounding peaks. Upper and lower Bristlecone trailheads are located near the campground area, making it easy to hike directly from camp. A short drive down-canyon brings you to the Sawmill Trailhead, where the 1.3-mile Sawmill Trail offers a shorter outing with views of the surrounding ridges. In addition to hiking, visitors enjoy mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives throughout the Spring Mountains NRA, with frequent chances to spot birds, mule deer, and other high-country wildlife.

Summary

McWilliams Campground combines cool alpine forest, convenient access, and excellent nearby hiking into one of the best mountain camping experiences close to Las Vegas. With its shaded sites, paved infrastructure, and direct access to trails like the Bristlecone and Sawmill routes, it’s a great choice for tent campers, trailers, and RVs looking for a classic national forest getaway. If you’re planning a trip to the Spring Mountains and want a comfortable base camp for exploring Lee Canyon and the high-elevation landscapes of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, McWilliams Campground is an outstanding place to start.

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