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 Gravel Pit Campsite, out in the middle of Garden Valley, has space for 3-4 trailers or RVs. For campers who like wide open spaces, grand scenery, and big starry nights, this is a good choice. Keep an eye out for pronghorn foraging in the valley bottom, and look into the distance to see Michael Heizer's Land Art sculpture called City.

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 Gravel Pit Campsite is located in the west-central portion of Basin and Range National Monument, about 3-1/2 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 35 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 then climbs out of Wild Horse Valley, crosses a broad pass, and descends into Garden Valley. Crossing Garden Valley, the road crosses the playa flats, then begins to climb gently to the north. About 1.1 miles past the playa flats, watch for a 15-ft high pile of gravel on the left. Historically it has been the tallest man-made feature in this part of Garden Valley.