Planning trip -- Spokane WA to Vegas

[Echelon]

Looking to head from Spokane WA to Las Vegas and back at the end of September and first week of October. Looking for recomendations of camp spots on public land that are not too far off the highways as most of the travel with be on the interstate. My vehicle is not lifted with stock suspension (7.3” clearance).

Is anyone familiar with these areas?

First day would probably be looking for free spot to camp near Twin Falls ID, second day would be looking somewhere in Nevada. I want to take a route that goes to Valley of Fire on the third day.

My tent is a roof mounted Overlander XL.

I have been looking in Gaia and can see there’s lots of public land along the route, is there a way to tell clearance needed for a particular off road route?

 

[TheWayWeWander]

Fairly new to this myself but 2 apps that I use to find campsites are iOverlander and BoonDocking. The iOverlander app is nice as I can import gps coordinates straight into Gaia from the app. Not sure about the clearance issues and Gaia. Hope this helps!

 

[Echelon]

Yea I have seen those I would just hate to drive 8 hours to a road only to find out my rig can’t make it to the campsite, I do have plenty of time to research though!

 

[Echelon]

Still looking for spots on the way down, anyone have recommendations?

Thinking first night driving from Spokane to somewhere near Ontario OR
Second night drive from Ontario OR area to Ely NV area
Third night drive from Ely NV to Valley of Fire
Next morning Valley of Fire to Vegas strip
Alternate route on the way home still undecided

 

[Echelon]

Yea hoping someone from the area will chime in eventually, the Red Rock Canyon and Valley of fire areas look really nice. So I plan on checking out those for sure. Pretty much everything else between there and here is untraveled land for me.

 

[liveoak]

can't help you with your journey down there but you can camp for free in Logandale near valley of fire.
Logandale Trails

Unnamed Rd,, Logandale, NV 89021 Logandale Trails - Google Search

you will only be 2 hours from Zion National Park once at Valley Of Fire so you might want to check that out too if you haven't already.

 

[liveoak]

if you do go to Zion, you can camp for free anywhere around here
Dropped pin
Near Mohave County, AZ

36°57'25.6"N 113°38'47.2"W · 36.957099, -113.646453

maps.app.goo.gl

also, there is a campground in the Virgin River Gorge thats very nice and only $8. No showers but nice bathrooms
Virgin River Canyon Campground
Cedar Pocket, Littlefield, AZ 86432
(435) 688-3200

Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area · Cedar Pocket Rd, Littlefield, AZ 86432

★★★★★ · Park

maps.app.goo.gl

close to zion and free

37°12'23.6"N 113°14'26.9"W · 37.206556, -113.240806

goo.gl

 

[Echelon]

Cool thanks for the suggestions

 

[Echelon]

Has anyone been through Smithsonian Butte? Just outside of Zion, this looks like a really nice area with dispersed camping.

 

[Desert Runner]

Looking to head from Spokane WA to Las Vegas and back at the end of September and first week of October. Looking for recomendations of camp spots on public land that are not too far off the highways as most of the travel with be on the interstate. My vehicle is not lifted with stock suspension (7.3” clearance).

Is anyone familiar with these areas?

First day would probably be looking for free spot to camp near Twin Falls ID, second day would be looking somewhere in Nevada. I want to take a route that goes to Valley of Fire on the third day.

My tent is a roof mounted Overlander XL.

I have been looking in Gaia and can see there’s lots of public land along the route, is there a way to tell clearance needed for a particular off road route?

Sounds like Interstate 15 S, is your preferred route. If so, just south of ST.George UT, in the gorge, in the AZ area, is a rest area, that i believe has a few camping spots. Coming south, out of the gorge past Mesquite NV, you could park at the casino/truck-stop on the Indian reservation. This is also an entrance into the Valley of Fire (gateway)

If you decide to come south on US 93, out of Twin Falls, there are numerous spots you can pull off to sleep. From Ely NV, you have a choice of the longer US 93 south (2+ hr's), or going SW out of the city (at the McDonald's), over the pass, and turning south heading towards Lund NV and points south. This rd and 93 both meet back up near Hiko NV. You then head down US 93 to I-15. At this point your about 15 minutes from that Indian casino/Valley of Fire entrance. You just head North from the Loves truck stop instead.

Being in the desert, trees will not be a concern, so overhead clearance should not be a problem. Being in a Park, off road access is limited to established/marked roads/trails. The Logandale area has numerous trails for Off-Roading, both vehicle and ATV (BLM land). This area sits between the Valley of Fire, and Mesquite NV area. Check it out if it's something that would be of interest in a side excursion. By that time of the year the temps should be mid 90's-100 degree range. We don't get our cool-down until late in October, early November. Going thru Logandale/Overton, will allow access to the southern park entrance to the Valley of Fire also.
EDIT:
As someone just posted, that AZ rest stop on I-15 in the Gorge is the Virgin River Ceder Pocket!!!!!!