The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
If you love riding ATVs, then Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes in southwestern Nevada may be the perfect spot for you. It is one of the many areas that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees and manages in order to preserve them. While these lakes can have a little water after hard or frequent rains, they are generally dry. Riders can take the uphill trails going north to see the McCullough Wilderness and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Find over 100 miles of trails at this facility located just off Interstate 15 near Jean, Nevada.
There is lots of room in the staging area for everyone to go dispersed camping at this Bureau of Land Management camping facility. Typing "BLM camping near me" into a search engine may also show you nearby choices with services. You can generally stay at these facilities for 14 days at little or no fee. Therefore, they can be an excellent option for families enjoying off-roading together. After spending some time at Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes, you may want to visit the nearby Death Valley National Park, which is two hours and 20 minutes northwest of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes in California, or Joshua Tree National Park, which is two hours and 50 minutes to the southwest in California.
This trail that is open to hikers and bikers is a great place to see cactus and other native plants. Going counterclockwise along this oval trail, which is 47 minutes northwest of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes, eliminates most of the incline, but you will still have a few switchbacks to cross. While there is a bathroom at the first parking lot for this trail, the second one is closer to the trailhead.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This loop trail that is 22 minutes northwest of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes has a few hilly spots. You will love seeing the old mining equipment along this gravel path. The scenery, including Joshua trees and yucca, is breathtaking. Hike this trail during the cooler parts of the day as there is no shade.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail that starts 14 minutes southwest of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes provides outstanding views of the McCullough Mountains to the east and the Spring Mountains. Consider hiking this trail on the weekends to watch the gliders. This trail gains over 1,000 feet in elevation.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
One unique place you can go fishing is at the Boulder City Urban Pond in Veteran's Memorial Park, which is 51 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes. You can expect to catch rainbow trout, bluegill, and channel catfish. A mere 45 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes is the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which consists of more than 290 square miles of water surface. Several fish species live here, including striped bass, large- and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, and rainbow trout.
Outside of Jean is a great place to climb. Called the Jean Boulders, they consist of three miles of granite outcroppings. Most of the climbs are between 10 and 15 feet tall. Turn on the dirt road near the prison, and go about 8.5 miles to reach this location. The Red Rock National Conservation Area, 42 minutes northwest of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes, offers plenty of climbing opportunities for all skill levels.
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, which is 26 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes, is a great place to spot wildlife. Visitors often spot bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and jackrabbits. This can also be an excellent spot for bird-watching, and you may spot hawks, hummingbirds, and roadrunners. Clark County Wetlands Park, 47 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes, contains four unique ecosystems, making it a haven for more than 70 species of mammals and over 310 types of birds.
There are several places you can have a leisurely picnic that are only a half-hour north of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes. Mountain's Edge Regional Park has several covered picnic areas along with a playground, restrooms, and a walking path. At Anthem Hills Park & Anthem East Trailhead, there are picnic shelters as well as tables and barbecues. The picnic areas in Exploration Peak Park in the Mountain's Edge Community are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park's Old West theme makes it a fun place to enjoy a meal.
RV camping with amenities is possible at several nearby facilities. Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort is 26 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes and provides full-hookup sites in standard, premium, and deluxe. This "Casablanca"-themed RV park also features a tropical swimming pool with waterfalls, comfort stations with free showers and laundry facilities, a restaurant, and a store. At Desert Sands RV Park, 40 minutes to the northeast, there are small, medium and large full-hookup RV sites as well as restrooms and showers, a dump station, a swimming pool and hot tub, and a game room. If you want to stay on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, you should travel 34 minutes north of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes to get to the RV Park at Circus Circus. Actually, this is the only RV park on the Strip. It offers full-hookup sites, a seasonal pool and hot tub, a dump station, laundry facilities, and a pet run.
There are many Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities in addition to Jean/Roach Dry Lakes. There is also free camping in the North McCullough Wilderness, which is 56 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes. Las Vegas Bay Campground is 56 minutes northeast of Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes and has shaded sites. There aren't any services or access to the lake. The closest BLM campground to Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes is the Red Rock Canyon Campground, which is about 45 minutes to the north. The facility site has 53 campsites with access to over 60 miles of hiking trails and 2,000 rock-climbing routes. There are trashcans, drinking fountains, and vault toilets available here.
Closely examine your ATV before arriving at Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes, and check it nightly when staying at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds or other places. Ensure that your brake fluids and oil coolant are full. Since there are hundreds of miles to explore, make sure to fill up with gas. Look at the machine's suspension, and tighten any nuts and bolts. Measure the air pressure in each tire, and ensure there is plenty of tread left. Add lubricant around the chain if needed.
You will be ready to build lifetime memories when you take care of these simple steps. Choose trails that everyone can enjoy together because there are ones filled with fun obstacles and beautiful scenery for all ability levels. Check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Trash service is nonexistent on the trails and very limited in the staging area. Therefore, do your part to keep this area beautiful for others by taking care of your trash. Keep it contained, throw it away in a trash receptacle, or take it with you.
It is easy to reach Dispersed Jean/Roach Dry Lakes from Las Vegas. Head south on Interstate 15, and take the Sloan Road Exit near Enterprise, Nevada. Turn left onto Sloan Road. Turn right on Las Vegas Boulevard South. In 8.8 miles, turn left on Ranch Road. Continue for 2.8 miles, and you will reach the destination.
Ready to visit Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice, soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
