Note: During Summer 2024, this site has grown up in weeds.

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 Coal Valley East Cattle Guard Campsite is a traditional campsite that has space for 3-4 trailers and RVs out in the bottom of Coal Valley. 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.

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 Coal Valley East Cattle Guard Campsite is located in the center of Basin and Range National Monument, about 2-1/2 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 17.4 miles to Seaman Wash Road on the left.

Turn left onto Seaman Wash Road and drive northwest 15.5 miles. The road passes the Basin and Range entrance sign, continues straight across a 4-way intersection, and heads across the flat valley into Seaman Wash Canyon. The road winds up canyon, runs up over the crest of the Seaman Range, and glides down into Coal Valley. Way out in the middle of Coal Valley, the road crosses a cattle guard and forks. Between the cattle guard fence and the fork, the campsite is located on the right adjacent to the fence.