The best camping near Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Stretching for 20 miles along the Upper Las Vegas Valley, Tule Springs Fossil Bed National Monument is located just 20 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip. Once a lush oasis, the area was home to mammoths, dire wolves, saber-tooth cats, and other prehistoric creatures, whose fossils can be found in large concentrations here. Modern wildlife and rare desert plants can also be found in the 22,650-acre national monument. Although there’s no camping inside the park, options can be found at Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mojave National Preserve, and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, along with private campsites near Las Vegas.

Spring and fall offer the best weather conditions, and are the best times to visit the Tule Springs National Monument. Spring is also the best time to look for the rare bear paw poppy. Temperatures in the summer regularly exceed 100°F, making it unpleasant (and unsafe) to visit. Temperatures in the winter can drop below freezing, though it rarely snows. The park is open year-round, during daylight hours only.

• Bring everything you will need with you. There are no facilities available inside the park.
• There’s very limited shade. Bring a hat and wear sun protection if you plan to explore during the day, and be sure to bring and drink plenty of water.
• It is illegal to touch or remove any fossils, bone fragments, or tusks.
• Flash floods can be a risk. Always keep an eye on conditions and seek higher ground if rain is forecast.
• There’s no parking onsite. Plan to park on public roads and enter the park on foot. Public bus service is available from the Las Vegas Strip via Route #119.