Overview

There is one developed campground in Basin and Range National Monument (Mt. Irish Campground). Otherwise, there are no facilities of any kind, but primitive camping is legal everywhere along existing roads and trails, and there are a number of traditional campsites scattered throughout the area.

The Garden Valley Crags Campsite, out in the south end of Garden Valley, is traditionally used by sheep herders and has space for 2-3 trailers or RVs. This is a good campsite for campers who like to be up against scenic rock crags (rather than big open spaces) that also has grand scenery and big starry nights.

This site is along a main road, so while it gets dust from the few passing vehicles, it is a good basecamp for exploring the National Monument.

Pack it in - Pack it out.

Link to map.

Getting to Camp

The Garden Valley Crags Campsite is located in the southwest-central portion of Basin and Range National Monument, about 3 hours northeast of Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, drive north on Interstate-15 for 21 miles to Highway 93. Drive north on Highway 93 past the towns of Alamo and Ash Springs to Highway 318. Turn left onto Highway 318 and drive north for 9.4 miles to Mail Summit Road on the left.

Turn left onto Mail Summit Road and drive northwest 25.2 miles. The road climbs steeply over the crest of the Seaman Range, winds down into the south end of Coal Valley, bends left to run west across Coal Valley and up through Murphy Gap. Mail Summit Road climbs out of Wild Horse Valley, crosses a broad pass, and descends through an open canyon into Garden Valley.

As the valley opens ahead, watch for isolated rocky crags on the right. The campsite is on the south side of the crags.