Tag: Clark County

Clark County, Nevada, encompasses the vibrant heart of Las Vegas, one of the world’s most renowned entertainment and resort destinations. Stretching beyond the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip, the area boasts diverse landscapes that range from the Mojave Desert’s arid expanses to the towering peaks of the Spring Mountains. Its county seat, Las Vegas, pulsates with a dynamic nightlife, iconic casinos, and a multitude of entertainment options. Beyond the urban sprawl, the county offers natural wonders like Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, showcasing stunning geological formations and outdoor recreational opportunities. Clark County blends the allure of a bustling metropolis with the tranquility of its desert surroundings, making it a unique and multifaceted destination in the American Southwest.

Callville Bay Campground

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Callville Bay Campground
Lake Mead NRA

Named for the now submerged two of Callville, Callville Bay Campground offers a unique and amazing place to strike your camp. The campground is situated from Las Vegas along the northern edge of the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. It’s open year-round and features paved sites that can accommodate tents or RVs, along with tables, fire pits and/or grills. Restrooms and water spigots are located throughout the campsite.

The desert climate affords temperatures well over 100F (37C) degrees June-August. In May and September, daytime highs are around 90F (32C). October-April, temperatures are much cooler. The winter months can see the lows can dip to freezing temps. The desert area averages just four inches of rain each year. There is lush vegetation that provides shade. A few of the campsites provide views of the lake. 

Although Lake Mead water levels are low at the moment, the campground offers close proximity to boat ramps and boat and house boat rentals to allow further exploration of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Campground Summary

NameCallville Bay Campground
LocationLake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Longitude,Latitude36.138337,-114.727649
Elevation1,249 feet
Number of Sites80 Total, 52 R V sites
AmmenitiesBBQ Grills, Boat Launch/Ramp, Boat Rental, Campground Host, Tables, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookup, Fire Pit, Firewood Available, Grills, Ice, Marina, Pay Phone,Pets OK, Picnic Tables, Restrooms (Flush Toilets), RV Hookups, WiFi

Campground Map

Resources

Echo Bay Campground

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Echo Bay Campground is in Lake Mead NRA
Lake Mead NRA

Echo Bay Campground is located on the shores of the Lake Mead National close to Lake Mead’s Overton Arm and is found about 3 miles east of Highway 167. The campground is organized into two sections, an upper and lower campground. The lower campground is about 3/4 miles closer to the water and consists of 34 campsites. The larger upper campground consists of 112 campsites and located about 1.5 miles from Lake Mead. The lake levels are lower at this point in time, so these distances may vary.

Both campgrounds have sites which contain tables, fire rings and grate. The campgrounds also have bathroom facilities with showers, flush toilets and water.

The campgrounds offers all of the activities associated with Lake Mead including hiking, fishing, boating etc… There are a few small beaches to enjoy the shoreline a the lake. A boat ramp offers launch facilities for those who are inclined to fish for some the the lakes bass. For those of use so inclined St Thomas Nevada is in the area.

Campground Summary

NameEcho Bay Campground
LocationLake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.308159, -114.430389
Elevation1230 feet (Lower)
1320 feet (Upper)
Number of sites146
AmenitiesTables, Fire Rings, Water, Flush Toilets, Showers

Campground Map

Resources

Boulder Beach Campground

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Boulder Beach Campground is locate on Lake Mead
Lake Mead NRA

Located within 45 minutes to the Las Vegas strip, Boulder Beach Campground offers a camping opportunity near the shore of beautiful Lake Mead. The campground is located on a bluff overlooking the shoreline and Lake Mead. The campground offers views of the lake and amazing sailing, boating, fishing, swimming, fishing and hiking trails.

This is a year round campground which offers group camps, tent and RV Accommodations. During the summer moths the desert heat can be a factor, so be sure to plan ahead. Each site is equipped with fire rings and tables and palm trees may offer a break from the sun. Due to the location of the campground and the lower lake levels, the beach is located a bit further than normal.

Boulder Beach provides quick access to Hoover Damn, the Hoover Damn Bypass Bridge, the Visitor Center. The River Mountains Loop Trail and the Historic Railroad Trail provide are quick hikes which are also located near by.

The weather can vary from freezing temperatures in the winter months with summer heat the temperature of easily capable of over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a first come first serve campground

Campground Summary

NameBoulder Beach Campground
LocationLead Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.036901,-114.802604
Elevation1,280 feet
Sites154
AmmenitiesTables, Fire Rings, Water, Bathrooms,

Campground Map

Resources

Nelson Nevada and Eldorado Canyon – Clark County Ghost Town

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Rock spires carved by erosion located in Eldorado Canyon, Nelson, Nevada.
Rock spires carved by erosion located in Eldorado Canyon, Nelson, Nevada.

The ghost town of Nelson, Nevada, which is located in Eldorado Canyon along Lake Mojave, is a quaint destination which offers the visitor a brief glimpse into the past.

History

The Southwest Mining Company Quartz mill located just off the Colorado River.
The Southwest Mining Company Quartz mill located just off the Colorado River.

El Dorado Canyon has a long and storied mining history which includes 150 years of mining activities by Native Americans, Spanish Explorers and Mormons prior to 1861. In 1863, miners from nearby Potosi flooded the area and established four town sites in the narrow canyon, the establishment of which caused some excitement on the western coast.

Many structures are still standing, Nelson, Nevada.
Many structures are still standing, Nelson, Nevada.

In 1864, near the mouth of Eldorado canyon a ten-stamp stamp mile is built. This despite a six month lead time for supplied to arrive in the remote location. At the time, Eldorado canyon was part of the Arizona territory and the Eldorado mill was the first in the Arizona territory.

The steamboat Mohave departing the landing in El Dorado Canyon.
The steamboat Mohave departing the landing in El Dorado Canyon.

As the town grew, in 1865 the town added a post office. However the area was a rough camp with the nearest law about 300 miles away. Vigilantes dispensed justice to those who crossed the line.

Mill in Eldorado Canyon, circa 1890
Mill in Eldorado Canyon, circa 1890

Founded in 1905 Nelson, Nevada is located some seven miles west at the head of Eldorado Canyon. The town of Nelson slumped for two decades beginning in 1909, but the 1930’s found a resurgence in gold production. By 1941, the three cyanide mills processed 220 tons of ore daily. The population reached 600 persons, however increased costs caused the gold production to slow and eventually cease. The Techatticip mine produced over half of the total gold produced in the area. The gold produced by the region has an estimated valued at $10,000,000.00.

In 1951, Davis Damn is completed. The original town site in Eldorado canyon was buried and drowned by the rising waters of Lake Mojave.

A visitors center and store are open to those who travel here. Nelson, Nevada
A visitors center and store are open to those who travel here. Nelson, Nevada

Today

Today, the town of Nelson hosts some 37 people in the 2010 census. The older section of town hosts many old buildings, ruins, cars, mining equipment and all in all is an eclectic collection of mining and western history. The current occupants have a wonderful collection of old mining gear and western history, mixed with an eclectic collection of art.

Nelson, Nevada

The town was recently used as a movie set, and the a tour of the town is available to those interested.

Nelson, Nevada is a quiet destination worthy of a few hours if you are in the area.
Nelson, Nevada is a quiet destination worthy of a few hours if you are in the area.

Nelson and El Dorado trail map

Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva)

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Blown by wind, and ravaged by time, the Bristlecone pine tree is a silent sentinel of the White Mountains in eastern central California.  Only growing high in subapline mountains, Bristlecone pine trees are among the oldest living organisms, reaching ages of 5000 years old, with on specimen being documented at 5,067 years old by Tom Harlan who aged the tree by ring count.  That calculation confirms this one individual tree to be the oldest living non-clonal organism on the planet.

A Bristlecone Pine (not the oldest) located in the White Mountains, CA
A Bristlecone Pine (not the oldest) located in the White Mountains, CA

The Bristlecone pine groves are found between 5,600 and 11,200 ft of elevation on mountain slopes with dolomitic coils and can be reached using the White Mountain Road.  This harsh alkaline soil gives the Bristlecone a competitive advantage because over plants and tree are unable to grow.  The trees grow very slowly due cold temperatures, arid soil, wind and short growing seasons.

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