Government Wash Camping Area Now OpenAfter completing a significant operation to remove long-term encampments and restore safety, environmental stability, and public access to Lake Mead, Government Wash has reopened. This includes 51 new defined campsites, improved water access for paddle craft like kayaks and canoes, and vault toilets. There is no fee for campsites at Government Wash at this time. For more information about the new public amenities and camping opportunities at Government Wash, see the Press Release.This page contains information below about why the area needed to be closed temporarily. Additional information for the newly reopened area coming soon. For visitor questions, please call (702) 293-8990. For media inquiries email lake_public_affairs@nps.gov. 
NPS What happened?The reason that Government Wash was closed for 18 months included several factors over many years. The issues were caused from expanding visitor use by a variety of user groups who explore the area, seeking access to more remote places to drive, fish, picnic, swim, or camp. During the same period, the NPS lacked resources to develop or manage the area as the water levels on the lake declined. For example, there were no designated roads, toilets, or water available in the newly accessible area. A recent review of the serious incident response in the Government Wash area of the park shows 1,365 incidents from 2019 to 2024. Some of those were serious law enforcement events, fires, emergency medical responses, searches, and rescues. And as the road network and visitor use expanded, damage to rare plants and cultural resources were found. Overall, what was once a lightly used area of the park with a boat ramp and amenities to the water, became much more popular and the NPS was unable to develop services and infrastructure to meet changing demands without changes and improvements. 
NPS 
NPS/I. Morris |
Last updated: February 7, 2026