The shoreline of "Lake" Mead is what you would expect of a large, man-made reservoir with fluctuating water levels (muddy & unpleasant), but that is not to say that the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is not filled with incredible places to explore (it is), and Boxcar Cove is a solid spot to camp / boondock for free (depending on when/where you enter the Area) on your way to those places.

To get there from the west, take the Northshore Road / CO 167 to mile marker 8.9 and go right onto the dirt Boxcar Road towards the reservoir. Just onto the road there will be signs for Boxcar Cove and Crawdad Cove.

After about half a mile the road will split. To the right is Crawdad Cove and to the left is Boxcar. Go left another 2.5 miles till the road dead-ends at the water. Before the water are several good boondocking and camping sites, including bathrooms about a mile back.

Be careful not to take the left about .75 miles *before* the water, as 4WD is required to make it to the top of the hill.

Given that it is free camping *and* a reservoir so close to Las Vegas, do not expect solitude. Do try to clean the place up a bit when you're there.