BLM Boondocking In Tonopah, Nevada – Guide, Directions, Access

by John Rodgers / Sunday, July 20, 2025 / Published in Nevada

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BLM Boondocking
In Tonopah, Nevada
Guide, Directions, Access

ADDRESS
Hwy 95, Tonopah, NV. Tonopah, Nevada GPS: 38.04951, -117.217898 Elevation: 6288′
MANAGEMENT
Public – Bureau of Land Management (Unofficial) This is a FREE campsite.

Previous Reviews:

BLM boondocking in Tonopah: Wide gravel road takes off of Hwy 95 at the south of end of Tonopah. A BLM office is located at the entrance to this site, on the west side of the highway. The road in is Gravel and 1/4 miles from a paved road. BLM land near Tonopah, NV is open Year round. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay not stated at BLM land near Tonopah, NV.

It is a very wide road, with room for fairly level dry camping. It is right under a hill with cell tower, so phone and WiFi access is very good. No services or fire pits; just far enough from highway that noise is minimal. Town is less than a mile away, and has services.

About This Location

If you’re after a free spot to boondock near a quirky little town, Tonopah, Nevada’s got a few gems tucked away on BLM land. You can camp up to 14 days without paying a cent on dispersed sites, just off Highway 95. The desert and mountain backdrop is right there, but you’re still close enough to town for a coffee run or a forgotten supply.

This BLM boondocking in Tonopah is open to every kind of RV, from tiny trailers to those big Class A’s. The spots are mostly level, and the roads are wide—so you’re not going to be white-knuckling it just to get parked. Quiet surroundings are the norm, and the night skies? Seriously, the stars out here are wild.

Tonopah itself is pretty fun to poke around. There’s some oddball attractions, old hotels, and enough history to keep you busy when you’re not just soaking in the desert vibes.

Tonopah, Nevada

Tonopah’s a small town, but it packs in a lot of mining history and endless open space. BLM boondocking in Tonopah is almost halfway between Las Vegas and Reno, so it’s a handy stop if you’re road tripping through Nevada.

If you’re into boondocking in Nevada, BLM boondocking in Tonopah is worth checking out. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) keeps a big chunk of land nearby open for free camping. Tonopah dispersed camping gives you all the elbow room you could want—no packed campgrounds, just you and the desert.

You’ll find gravel roads winding out to these big, flat camping areas of the BLM boondocking in Tonopah. There aren’t any hookups or bathrooms, but you’re not far from town if you need to restock or grab a bite.

The desert and mountains around Tonopah are perfect for hiking. There are trails with views of old mining ruins and those odd, beautiful Nevada landscapes.

And the stars—wow. The sky at BLM boondocking in Tonopah gets so dark, you can see constellations you probably forgot existed. No telescope needed, just look up.

You’ve also got oddball landmarks like the Clown Motel and the Mizpah Hotel, which are worth a visit if you’re into the offbeat side of Nevada. Camping at BLM boondocking in Tonopah means you get a bit of everything: weird history, cool scenery, and a whole lot of quiet.

Directions

To get to the BLM boondocking in Tonopah, start from town. Take US-6, then head south on US-95 for just under a mile.

Keep an eye out for the BLM Field Office—it’s on the west side of the highway, right across from the Texaco station. That’s your turn.

Swing into the BLM driveway and you’ll spot a wide gravel road ahead. Follow it south for about 0.2 miles and you’ll hit the main dispersed camping area.

When the road splits, you’ve got three choices. The middle or left path are your best bet; the right one has a nasty dip that could mess up your rig.

It’s all gravel and dirt from here. Big rigs can make it, but don’t expect a turnaround if you go too far down. If you’re hauling a larger RV, it’s smarter to park near the crest of the hill. That stretch is flatter and way less stressful to maneuver.

Just a heads up: after the BLM office, it’s not paved. It’s nothing extreme, but your vehicle should be ready for a little off-road action. You might hear the occasional car on US-95, but honestly, it’s pretty mellow out here at BLM boondocking in Tonopah. Most nights, it’s just you and the coyotes.

Vehicle Access And Pricing

You can get to the BLM boondocking in Tonopah by taking US-6 into town. After that, head about 0.9 miles south on US-95 and keep an eye out for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office—it’s on the west side of the highway.

The entrance is right across from the Texaco station, which is honestly pretty handy if you need fuel or snacks. The road in is a wide, gravel path, and you’ll wind about 0.2 miles past the BLM parking lot. Eventually, you’ll reach a large dispersed camping area.

If you’re pulling in, the middle or left paths are the way to go. The right path isn’t great; there’s a big dip that can be a pain, especially for larger vehicles. This spot is suitable for RV parking, even for rigs up to 38 feet, which is honestly impressive for a free spot.

You can pull a U-turn here, but if you’re in something massive, I’d really avoid going past the main camping area. It just gets tight, and no one wants to get stuck out there.

Camping at BLM boondocking in Tonopah is free, with a maximum stay of 14 days. That goes for everyone—boondockers, tent campers, or just folks passing through for the night. Since it’s dispersed camping on BLM land, don’t expect hookups or fancy facilities; there’s no water or dump station, so come prepared.

If you’re bringing an OHV (off-highway vehicle), you can ride nearby, but make sure you’re following BLM rules. Stay limits are enforced, and nobody wants a fine ruining their trip. The area’s pretty popular for boondocking, honestly, because it’s open, easy to get to, and—let’s be real—free is hard to beat.