Cute little area and the cement pad area seems great, however as a single female tent camper, this place didn’t feel safe. You’re very exposed, anyone on the highway can see your car and set-up. There’s a RV down by the pond that has broken windows/flat tires and had people rummaging through it. If you’re a group and you have an RV this looks like a great spot.
Vanderbilt Pond/Bombo's Pond is one of our go-to stopovers in southern Nevada. Finding a level-enough-to-work-with spot can be a little challenge. Clientele is hit-or-miss. We've never had huge issues but there's often trash left behind (particularly in fire rings) by less-considerate campers. Largely our experience is everyone leaves appropriate space and honors the invisible boundaries but (like everywhere, unfortunately) we did have issues with off-leash dogs encroaching on our leashed dog's space and causing some strife.
If you can score the concrete pad up the hill from the pond, you're golden. We've gotten lucky on that once and it was great. Just watch for the rebar sticking out of the edges. Folks have piled rocks around as indicators but definitely do your own recon before pulling in and out.
Also, remember this is Nevada. It gets really, really windy. Be prepared to hunker down inside your rig if need be. Decent enough AT&T and Verizon cell service to get some work done.
Road Noise: There can be significant road noise in the main camping area closer to the road which gets a lot of traffic. Up on the concrete pad it tends to be a low hum. As my partner says though,"If you close your eyes, you can pretend it's the sound of the ocean."
Highway and animal noise, but since it’s right off the highway it was perfect for a late night spot!
Not a bad spot. Little close to the road for my liking without a lot of cover or shade. Road was fairly quiet though. The donkeys/burros are quite noisy at night.
Just off the highway, very easy to get to. The town of beatty is just up the road and has a laubdromat. Tons of donkeys and the pond is gorgeous!
Gave it a 3 star because it was free and easy to find, but those are also the downsides. Lots of traffic noise as it is right off highway. Saturday night, so locals shooting off fireworks late at night even though fire season still active. Probably won't be back, didn't feel that safe.
Lots of open room. Amusing to hear the wild burros. Beatty is around a hill if you need something.
One night here on our way from Bakersfield to Bozeman was perfect. Lots of room for many rigs and great trails for mountain biking. Go to the concrete slab with the sand collector and take a right following the power lines heading north. Before long you'll be at the saddle looking down on Beatty Below. Nice.
I was happy when I pulled in because it was more then I anticipated. Nothing special, a big pull out with a few campers. On my way out though someone decided it was a good idea to park their large RV on the best driving road in. Please remember, there are others eating to come and go so think ahead to how you might be affecting those around you :) I cake in winter and there was no mosquito issue but I can see how there would be.
I was happy when I pulled in because it was more then I anticipated. Nothing special, a big pull out with a few campers. On my way out though someone decided it was a good idea to park their large RV on the best driving road in. Please remember, there are others eating to come and go so think ahead to how you might be affecting those around you :) I cake in winter and there was no mosquito issue but I can see how there would be.
We pulled in late and it was pretty empty, only one other rig. Though there was 2 donkeys wondering through. At first sight it looked like a dirt turn around, but if you go to the back you can find the pond.
We actually had a bar or 2 of Verizon and were able to access the internet no problem.
Only two campers here tonight. Downside of being next to the pond is mosquitoes
Not my idea of a very picturesque area. OK for a night or two while visiting Death Valley.
If you are in a van, or are tent camping, I highly recommend Emigrant Campground inside Death Valley National Park, and it's free :)
Emigrant Campground https://freeroam.app/campground/emigrant-campground
If you are lucky, you can get a spot right by the pond. The rest is just a gravel lot view. The birds, ducks and bullfrogs are noisy...but I love their noise. There were a few locals fishing when we arrived and the fish were really jumping in the evening. It is quite a contrast to being in the park.