Where can you kayak camp in Nevada? This question surfaces frequently among paddlers drawn to the Silver State’s surprising aquatic treasures hidden within its desert landscape. Most people associate Nevada with endless sagebrush and slot machines, but seasoned water enthusiasts know better.
Having spent countless summers exploring Nevada’s waterways, from hauling my sea kayak across the sand dunes surrounding Pyramid Lake to setting up camp along Lake Tahoe’s pristine eastern shore, I’ve discovered that Nevada offers some of the West’s most spectacular yet underrated kayak camping experiences. The state’s high-desert lakes and river corridors provide opportunities that rival any destination I’ve paddled.
Where can you kayak camp in Nevada?
Nevada offers several exceptional kayak camping destinations, with Lake Tahoe’s Nevada beaches, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Pyramid Lake, and Washoe Lake State Park providing the best combination of paddling opportunities and camping facilities. Each location presents unique advantages, from alpine clarity to desert serenity.
Lake Tahoe’s Nevada shores
Lake Tahoe’s eastern Nevada shores provide world-class kayak camping, particularly at Nevada Beach Campground and Sand Harbor State Park. Nevada Beach Campground sits directly on Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore, offering 49 campsites nestled among native pine trees along a white sandy beach. The campground accommodates both tents and RVs up to 45 feet, with some sites providing stunning lake views.
Nevada Beach offers half a mile of beautiful sandy beach with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains, with kayak rentals available onsite. The Lake Tahoe Water Trail encompasses 72 miles of paddling routes around the entire lake, with designated launch sites and camping opportunities. Extended paddle trips around Lake Tahoe are possible, with most paddlers spending nights at developed campgrounds along the Water Trail.
Sand Harbor Nevada State Park provides another excellent base for kayak camping, featuring crystal-clear water, interesting rock formations, and boat launching facilities. The park requires day-use reservations from April through October due to high demand, but the spectacular setting justifies the planning effort.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Las Vegas offers exceptional kayak camping at Boulder Beach Campground, located just minutes from the city along the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. The campground features 154 large paved sites that accommodate tents or large RVs, with most campsites offering views of Lake Mead, Fortification Hill and the River Mountains.
Boulder Beach provides multiple recreation opportunities, with Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach, and PWC Beach located 1-2 miles from the campground. Paddling within Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers smooth, calm waters surrounded by colorful mountains, plus access to the Black Canyon National Water Trail along the Colorado River.
The campground operates year-round, though temperatures usually surpass 100°F during June through August, making spring and fall the optimal seasons for kayak camping. Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers, and a marina with boat rentals nearby.
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake, managed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, covers 125,000 acres making it one of Nevada’s largest natural lakes and offers outstanding kayak camping opportunities. This sacred remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahontan provides world-class Lahontan cutthroat trout fishing and unique camping experiences in a high-desert setting.
Visitors must purchase tribal permits for camping, which cost $32 per vehicle per night, available online or at the Ranger Station in Sutcliffe. Camping is allowed at all open areas around Pyramid Lake, offering dry camping lakeside with the flexibility to stay where you want to fish or paddle. Several beaches provide permanent toilets and trash removal facilities.
The lake offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and spectacular scenery with unusual rock formations including the Stone Mother. Paddlers should note that Pyramid Lake can change from calm to extremely dangerous conditions quickly due to its size and desert winds.
Washoe Lake State Park
Washoe Lake State Park, situated between Reno and Carson City, offers 49 campsites along with excellent kayaking opportunities in a scenic valley with views of the Sierra Nevada, Carson, and Virginia mountain ranges. The park’s zephyr-fed waters make it popular for windsurfing, while kayaking provides access to quieter corners of both Washoe Lake and Little Washoe Lake.
The campground operates year-round with sites featuring tables, grills, and fire rings, plus two comfort stations with showers. Campground Loop A offers water and utility hookups at all 24 sites, while Campground B operates seasonally without utilities. Several sites accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length.
The park provides boat launching ramps at the main day-use area and North Ramp, along with excellent fishing for channel catfish, white bass, and Sacramento perch. During drought years, the main lake can dry up in summer, but water typically returns after winter snowstorms.
Cave Lake State Park
Cave Lake State Park offers outstanding year-round recreation opportunities with a 32-acre reservoir providing excellent fishing and boating. The park features two designated campgrounds: Elk Flat Campground and Lake View Campground, with all sites including fire pits, grills, tables, and parking.
Located in Nevada’s high country, Cave Lake provides a mountain camping experience different from the desert lakes. The elevation means cooler temperatures and potential snow in winter, but also pine-scented air and alpine scenery that creates a unique kayak camping environment.
Colorado River areas
Several Colorado River access points near Nevada offer kayak camping opportunities, including areas near Hoover Dam and Willow Beach. Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures provides guided tours that showcase hidden beaches, coves, and hot springs along the Colorado River, while Vegas Glass Kayaks offers clear-bottom kayak experiences from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach.
These river corridors provide a different kayak camping experience, with flowing water, dramatic canyon scenery, and the unique opportunity to paddle in the shadow of one of America’s most famous dams.
Conclusion
Last September, I circumnavigated Lake Tahoe over four days, camping at Nevada Beach and experiencing firsthand how following proper planning makes the difference between a successful adventure and a miserable struggle. After setting up my ultralight shelter on the sandy beach and watching the sunset paint the Sierra peaks gold, I realized that Nevada’s kayak camping opportunities rival any destination in the American West. The key lies in understanding each location’s unique characteristics, securing proper permits where required, and timing your visit for optimal conditions. Whether you choose the alpine grandeur of Lake Tahoe, the desert solitude of Pyramid Lake, or the accessible beauty of Washoe Lake, Nevada’s waters offer unforgettable kayak camping experiences for paddlers willing to venture beyond the obvious coastal destinations.