Where to Park Overnight in Vegas for 3 Months?

[matrixdutch]

I'm looking to spend the winter in vegas playing poker and was hoping some people would share some places where one could park their van overnight without getting hassled.  I had heard that one can park by Bally's as well as the Orleans.  I don't think the Walmart's allow overnight parking in Vegas.

 

[Reducto]

Lake Mead is good if you're taking a couple of days off and want to get out of Vegas. Yearly pass is I think $30 and they have water and toilets. There are people living there year round, as long as you don't leave a mess you're good.

In Vegas itself, sleeping in a vehicle is illegal thanks to aggressive lobbying by the RV parks. Most casinos really don't care as long as you aren't bothering anyone or staying too long, though. Stealth is important and try not to let security guards see you getting in or out. They generally won't go searching for you, but if they see it happen they'll be forced to chase you off. During the day it's generally fine, just have an excuse ready. You've been playing all day and needed a quick nap, you can't check into your room until 4 and needed to crash, etc.

Orleans is great, last time I was at Bally's they removed much of the parking in the back due to construction so that may or may not be good. I've stayed at the Walmart on Tropicana without issue. Rio could be good but I never got around to trying it. They have a big oversize lot around back by the convention area. Almost any parking garage should be fine but those are loud and bouncy so I usually avoided those.

 

[MrNoodly]

Lake Mead is good if you're taking a couple of days off and want to get out of Vegas. Yearly pass is I think $30 and they have water and toilets. There are people living there year round, as long as you don't leave a mess you're good.

Government Wash is the Lake Mead boondocking spot closest to town. The bathroom in what used to be the parking lot for the now-closed boat ramp is adequate but a little off-putting. Never heard anything about a pass, though, even though I had a brief chat with rangers.

I've stealth camped in hotel/casino parking lots a couple of times. Once in the overflow lot behind Bally's and Paris Las Vegas, once in the Luxor garage. But those were just single nights. Long term parking there might be a problem. I don't know what the deal would be at the off-Strip casinos.

 

[matrixdutch]

Lake Mead is good if you're taking a couple of days off and want to get out of Vegas. Yearly pass is I think $30 and they have water and toilets. There are people living there year round, as long as you don't leave a mess you're good.

In Vegas itself, sleeping in a vehicle is illegal thanks to aggressive lobbying by the RV parks. Most casinos really don't care as long as you aren't bothering anyone or staying too long, though. Stealth is important and try not to let security guards see you getting in or out. They generally won't go searching for you, but if they see it happen they'll be forced to chase you off. During the day it's generally fine, just have an excuse ready. You've been playing all day and needed a quick nap, you can't check into your room until 4 and needed to crash, etc.

Orleans is great, last time I was at Bally's they removed much of the parking in the back due to construction so that may or may not be good. I've stayed at the Walmart on Tropicana without issue. Rio could be good but I never got around to trying it. They have a big oversize lot around back by the convention area. Almost any parking garage should be fine but those are loud and bouncy so I usually avoided those.

Hey Reducto!  I see you're on 2p2 as well!  

Thanks for the info, it's very helpful.  I'm looking to mainly play NL 1/2 at Encore (Wynn) and Aria, with occasional stints off-strip like at Red Rock and Green Valley.

I'll definitely try the Walmart on Trop, and test out the Rio.  I heard there was even free parking at the underground garage at the palazzo, so I'll have to scope that out as well.

 

[matrixdutch]

Government Wash is the Lake Mead boondocking spot closest to town. The bathroom in what used to be the parking lot for the now-closed boat ramp is adequate but a little off-putting. Never heard anything about a pass, though, even though I had a brief chat with rangers.

I've stealth camped in hotel/casino parking lots a couple of times. Once in the overflow lot behind Bally's and Paris Las Vegas, once in the Luxor garage. But those were just single nights. Long term parking there might be a problem. I don't know what the deal would be at the off-Strip casinos.

Thanks MrNoodly!

 

[Reducto]

Government Wash is the Lake Mead boondocking spot closest to town. The bathroom in what used to be the parking lot for the now-closed boat ramp is adequate but a little off-putting. Never heard anything about a pass, though, even though I had a brief chat with rangers.

I haven't been there in a couple of years so it's possible things changed. There's a gateway you pass through to get to the lake and they make you buy a pass. It's only staffed during the day, though, so you might be forced to enter without paying if you go at night. Boxcar Cove has many fewer residents and you can park a lot closer to the toilet. It's only a few extra miles down the road.
Unfortunately the yearly pass is by calendar year so if you spend all winter you'd have to buy two.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

I was in Vegas a few weeks ago and parked in the free lot behind Bally's. I stayed there for 3 nights and didn't have any trouble with security. There were at least 5 or 6 other vans and small RVs there every night as well.

I wouldn't want to risk it for 3 months straight, but maybe if you alternated between a few different places you could get away with it.

 

[Pikachu711]

One location you might consider for your "sleep location" is on the streets in an older residential neighborhood in the area just behind (west side) Palace Station Hotel & Casino. It's an older residential neighborhood that isn't bad to park at all. It's close enough to the "Strip" but you're far away from the noise of the casinos & parking garages. A plain looking vehicle will blend in there quite easily.
The only reason I know about this area is that I used to work as a security guard in that area. I knew of a couple of vandwellers who would occasionally spend the night there once a week or so. As long as you follow the general guidelines we use of "arriving late & leaving when you wake up" this will be a good option for you.
I hope this information helps you out!

 

[cyndi]

I've seen plenty of over-nighters at the Walmart in Henderson on Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Blvd.

 

[MrNoodly]

I haven't been there in a couple of years so it's possible things changed. There's a gateway you pass through to get to the lake and they make you buy a pass. 

Right, I'd forgotten about the Park Service entrance fee because I have a Senior Interagency pass, and because I usually come in from the north where the booth is closed half the time. I thought you had meant a separate boondocking fee.

 

[matrixdutch]

I was in Vegas a few weeks ago and parked in the free lot behind Bally's.  I stayed there for 3 nights and didn't have any trouble with security.  There were at least 5 or 6 other vans and small RVs there every night as well.  

I wouldn't want to risk it for 3 months straight, but maybe if you alternated between a few different places you could get away with it.

Good to know about Ballys!

 

[matrixdutch]

One location you might consider for your "sleep location" is on the streets in an older residential neighborhood in the area just behind (west side) Palace Station Hotel & Casino. It's an older residential neighborhood that isn't bad to park at all. It's close enough to the "Strip" but you're far away from the noise of the casinos & parking garages. A plain looking vehicle will blend in there quite easily.
The only reason I know about this area is that I used to work as a security guard in that area. I knew of a couple of vandwellers who would occasionally spend the night there once a week or so. As long as you follow the general guidelines we use of "arriving late & leaving when you wake up" this will be a good option for you.
I hope this information helps you out!

Thanks, I'll definitely check out the area around Palace Station Casino.

 

[matrixdutch]

I've seen plenty of over-nighters at the Walmart in Henderson on Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Blvd.

Good to know about another Walmart.  Thanks!

 

[MikeRuth]

I second Bally's been there done that no hassle. Just keep it clean and self contained.

Mike R

 

[MikeRuth]

To add at Bally's Enter off of Flamingo road east bound. Drive down the roadway about 500 yards and park along the fencing. Image attached++

 

[matrixdutch]

To add at Bally's Enter off of Flamingo road east bound. Drive down the roadway about 500 yards and park along the fencing. Image attached++

Perfect!  Thanks!

 

[Pikachu711]

"cyndi Wrote:
I've seen plenty of over-nighters at the Walmart in Henderson on Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Blvd."

I have to second Cyndi's suggestion about the Wal Mart located in Henderson on Boulder Highway & Lake Mead Blvd.

I totally forgot about this location. I've seen many a vehicle parked there overnight while working security at a nearby property. While I was working security I saw some people who spent each night there and rarely changed their sleep location. This may give you some idea of what the store management thinks of vehicles parked overnight in their parking lot.

Thanks for the reminder Cyndi!

 

[USExplorer]

I stayed in Vegas for a week and a half last spring. Some of the places I stayed:

The truck stop at Blue Diamond Rd and I-15. I parked in the gravel lot next to the NOAA office. If you can tolerate background noise from the interstate this is not a bad place to stay. Lots of trash though, and possibly drug deals and other shady business going on at night.

The park and ride on Gilespie Street in Enterprise. As long as you have a basic measure of stealth you can stay here overnight. $20 will get you a three day pass for the buses that go all over the city from the terminal, great if you want to do some drinking on the town. Not very quiet but a safe location.

Railroad Pass Casino outside Henderson. I believe they are covered by a Henderson town ordinance that bans overnighting in RVs, so if you don't have a stealthy rig this isn't the place ot be. The highway noise subsides at night.

Hoover Dam Lodge/Casino past Boulder City. Trucks use the lot so it gets noisy. Quite a distance from Vegas, though.

Kingman Wash campsites. Exit two on Route 93 on the Arizona side and a few miles down the gravel road. The receding lake has uncovered a quarter mile of new road so there are plenty of campsites to choose from. Scenic setting, quiet as well.

Boulder City bike path parking lot, Veterans Drive near the Cascata Golf Course. Only distant highway noise.

Curb camping in North Las Vegas. A sketchy neighborhood by any measure, but north of 515 there are many streets that can be camped on. Downtown is a short walk away.

Curb camping west of I-15. Some other RVs curb camp in the industrial areas.

It is technically illegal to camp in the BLM land immediately adjacent to the city but some of the hills near Blue Diamond Road are kick-ass places to camp, with the view of the city and all. 4x4 required.

Probably best to make a big loop, spend a few days in the city, then go camping in Boulder City, then out in the desert, then back into Vegas again. In my experience, Vegas police aren't concerned with van campers passing through, but probably wouldn't like long-term parking in any public area.

 

[Scassell19]

Ive been in the vegas area vandwelling for 14 months now. I avoid the sketchy parts of town. Mostly i stay south of the 215 in vegas or down in henderson. 24 hour parking lots are where i park. Ive had zero issues. I rotate my spots. And pretty much every parking lot has at least one 24 hour business in it so youll have zero problem blending in. But do avoid the not great parts of town as someone was killed sleeping in their car last december in spring valley. (He also was not stealth though). Ive had zero knocks from police out here (and zero knocks in my 4+ year vandwell career). Only problem out here is the summer heat but i was in my vehicle every night with nothing fancy besides usb fans and this summer was the hottest summer in vegas history and so it shows it can be done. But yea come out here in the winter and its a stealth vandwell paradise

 

[matrixdutch]

I stayed in Vegas for a week and a half last spring. Some of the places I stayed:

The truck stop at Blue Diamond Rd and I-15. I parked in the gravel lot next to the NOAA office. If you can tolerate background noise from the interstate this is not a bad place to stay. Lots of trash though, and possibly drug deals and other shady business going on at night.

The park and ride on Gilespie Street in Enterprise. As long as you have a basic measure of stealth you can stay here overnight. $20 will get you a three day pass for the buses that go all over the city from the terminal, great if you want to do some drinking on the town. Not very quiet but a safe location.

Railroad Pass Casino outside Henderson. I believe they are covered by a Henderson town ordinance that bans overnighting in RVs, so if you don't have a stealthy rig this isn't the place ot be. The highway noise subsides at night.

Hoover Dam Lodge/Casino past Boulder City. Trucks use the lot so it gets noisy. Quite a distance from Vegas, though.

Kingman Wash campsites. Exit two on Route 93 on the Arizona side and a few miles down the gravel road. The receding lake has uncovered a quarter mile of new road so there are plenty of campsites to choose from. Scenic setting, quiet as well.

Boulder City bike path parking lot, Veterans Drive near the Cascata Golf Course. Only distant highway noise.

Curb camping in North Las Vegas. A sketchy neighborhood by any measure, but north of 515 there are many streets that can be camped on. Downtown is a short walk away.

Curb camping west of I-15. Some other RVs curb camp in the industrial areas.

It is technically illegal to camp in the BLM land immediately adjacent to the city but some of the hills near Blue Diamond Road are kick-ass places to camp, with the view of the city and all. 4x4 required.

Probably best to make a big loop, spend a few days in the city, then go camping in Boulder City, then out in the desert, then back into Vegas again. In my experience, Vegas police aren't concerned with van campers passing through, but probably wouldn't like long-term parking in any public area.

Thanks again!