Updated from October 27, 2021
How to RV each oasis by day and immerse in the neon dreamscape by night
THERE’S A PATCH OF ROAD that runs through the desert of night. Compelled by nature’s pulse for unmet desire, it races northeast down its darkened course. The road descends into the valley and into visions of a manufactured paradise. Here, that highway—once lit only by headlights—spirals into illuminated splendor, where the blank road finally bursts into ribbons of light.
Welcome to Las Vegas. A city with many names, Las Vegas is the Neon Capital of the World. Sin City. The City of Second Chances. The notorious Gambling Capital of the World. And the wedding capital, too. But trust us: as you roll up Interstate 15, know that there are two ways to RV Vegas.
Whether you’re seeking to convene with nature or zipline through a light show, the city has something for every passenger of every age—no matter the size of your wolfpack.
Take a journey with us by day—and by night—into the dazzling world of this diamond in the desert. No matter which course your RV takes, we’ll give you the scoop on the best places to stay, visit, and experience in Nevada’s most famous city.
Choose Your Oasis
What brings you to Vegas is an excellent indicator of where you should stay. If you’re looking to hit the neon-lit Strip and all the iconic hallmarks, you’ll want to stay close to town at The Oasis Las Vegas.
Travelers looking for an equally beautiful, if less mainstream, campground should head into the wild beyond the city. About an hour from the heart of the Strip, McWilliams Campground sits roughly 8,600 feet up the nearly 12,000-foot Mount Charleston, among towering ponderosa and white pine trees.
The Oasis Las Vegas
Just south of the Strip, the Oasis sets you up minutes from the action. You’ll find plenty of amenities, including a convenience store and gift shop, restaurant and bar, a fitness center, stunning waterfalls, an 18-hole putting course, and two pools—one for adults only with a hot tub, and one for families with its own white sand beach. Whichever side you choose, you’ll find yourself in the lap of mobile luxury.
McWilliams Campground
McWilliams Campground stands high above the Las Vegas Valley in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, which puts you in reach of a different kind of paradise. Elevated in the high desert mountains, it’s the perfect parking spot if you’re looking to unplug and leave the vanities of the Valley behind to commune with nature—at least for a few days.
Hikers and mountain bikers can pick up the Bristlecone Trail right from the campground.
While there are no full hookups, there is potable water and flush toilets, making it a comfortable place to dry camp, especially if you have a solar power station.
You’ll want to plan ahead, though. The full campground is open May through October as weather permits, with just a handful of sites open year-round.
Adventure by Day
Connect with Nature
Take a short drive to Lake Mead and check out the Historic Railroad Trail. This easy, pet-friendly hike follows a former railroad grade and provides panoramic views of Lake Mead along the way as it weaves in and out of the old railroad tunnels. The first 2.2 miles, out to the fifth tunnel, have a firm surface and an elevation change of only 11 feet, so it’s perfect for bikes, strollers, and wheelchairs.
If you want to continue down the rail trail, it soon narrows and climbs higher toward Hoover Dam. Round-trip is roughly 7.5 miles. Extend the adventure by packing a light lunch, and stop to enjoy the views of the Boulder Basin as you picnic.
Parking is available below the Lake Mead Visitor Center on Lakeshore Road.
Veer Off-Road
SunBuggy is one of the best off-road adventures in Las Vegas, hands down. The fleet includes ATVs, Polaris RZRs, and dune buggies that seat one to four people. You can take a leisurely guided tour or hang on for the Mini Baja Chase, a high-speed chase over desert dunes.
Take the Kids
Your little ones haven’t quite mastered their poker face yet, and they’re not ready for blackjack. But they will be ready for the Aliante Nature Discovery Park. It is guaranteed fun for both kids and kids at heart. Aliante covers a 20-acre spread of land with a lake, waterfall, a multi-story playground unit, and a dinosaur-themed kids’ area where young aspiring paleontologists can dig for bones.
If you prefer games, you can find horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and bocce courts as well. And when hunger strikes, you can pull in to one of the picnic sites to fuel up. Finally, on the hottest days, you can chill out at the splash pad—one of the coolest spots in the park May through September.
Hop the Shoppes
The Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian Resort are the perfect segue from nature’s wilderness to the Las Vegas nightlife. This upscale shopping mall gives you the opportunity to peruse big brands like Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Michael Kors in a classic Italian setting. Whether you’re there to plush up your wardrobe or just to enjoy a gondola ride in the man-made river, it doesn’t really matter.
Splendor by Night
Hit the Strip
To truly experience the raw magnetism and seductive grandeur of Vegas, you need to walk Las Vegas Boulevard—aka “the Strip”—at night.
Ornate luxury hotels and casino resorts parade famous names you’ve seen in the movies: the Luxor, MGM Grand, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and The Venetian. Feel free to walk in and see the spectacle of nightlife in Vegas, even if you don’t feel like playing the odds at a table.
Dine Like Kings
Head to The Cosmopolitan, on the west side of the Strip, where classy restaurants like STK, Wicked Spoon, or Amaya Modern Mexican await. Make a reservation—especially on weekends. Hey, this is high-class. Then go full Vegas with a mezcal cocktail at Ghost Donkey, a hidden tequila and mezcal lounge tucked behind an unmarked door in the resort’s food hall.
Get Some Tickets
Flash forward to the future, when you’re telling everyone about your trip. Consider starting with this: “When we saw Cirque du Soleil® in Vegas …” There’s simply too much great entertainment in Vegas not to see a show—whether that’s music, magic, or live comedy.
Head Downtown
When the curtain falls, the night is yours, so push past the Strip to the heart of downtown Las Vegas: The Fremont Street Experience. This technicolor quarter offers ziplining, live music, light shows, pub crawls, shopping, and more exquisite dining options. Guests of all ages are welcome at Fremont Street, though the nightlife gets lively and individual establishments may have age restrictions.
Two Ways, One Memorable Trip
When it’s time to get back on the road, you can fondly remember the different sides of Vegas—waking up to nature, surrounded by pine trees at 8,600 feet, and seeing the Strip light up as darkness falls. The same road connects the bright lights in the valley and the mountains, lakes, and dunes in the surrounding hills. And remember, what happens in Vegas… is best retold around the campfire.
