How long does it take to set up a rooftop tent?

Most rooftop tents unfold in a few minutes and pack away almost as quickly, so moving on every day is no trouble. There are no pegs to hammer in and no need to look for flat, dry ground.

Is a rooftop tent warm enough for the Southwest?

In spring and fall, with a good sleeping bag and warm layers, yes. Nights can drop close to freezing at altitude, for example around Bryce Canyon, so a campervan or motorhome with heating is the more comfortable choice in winter. In summer the main issue is the heat.

Do I need a special license to drive a rooftop tent vehicle?

No. It is driven on a regular driver's license. The license, minimum age and other requirements for each vehicle depend on the rental company and are listed on its page.

How much does it cost to rent a rooftop tent vehicle in Las Vegas?

The price depends on the vehicle, the season and the length of your trip. Each card on this page shows a guide price per day. Enter your dates and pick-up location in the search to see the exact price in USD, and what it includes, before you book.

Rooftop Tent Rental in Las Vegas

Location

Where does your trip start?

Pick up your RV or campervan at one of the pick-up locations and return it at the same place or at a different one.

Choose your rooftop tent vehicle

Adventure Tent Select (Automatic)

Automatic

4 seats

Sleeps 2

Gasoline

Price per day from77.96 USD

Check availability

Adventure Tent Select (Automatic)

Automatic

4 seats

Sleeps 2

Gasoline

Price per day from77.96 USD

Check availability

Adventure Tent (Automatic)

The Southwest with a rooftop tent

A rooftop tent camper is an SUV or pickup with a tent that folds out on top: simple, light and quick to set up. It is the closest thing to sleeping under the stars without giving up a proper mattress. Here is how it works in the Southwest.

What is a rooftop tent camper?

The tent is mounted on the roof of the vehicle and unfolds in a few minutes. You climb a ladder to a flat sleeping platform with a mattress, well above the ground. By day the tent is packed away and you drive an ordinary SUV or pickup: easy on narrow roads and in parking lots and trailheads.

It suits travelers who love being outdoors and do not need a living room on wheels. Cooking and relaxing happen outside or at a campground, so it is best in fair weather. Each vehicle page shows how many people the vehicle sleeps and what equipment comes with it.

Where can you camp?

The vehicle has to be parked legally: at a campground, an RV park, or on BLM public land, where camping is free, usually up to 14 days, with no services. National park campgrounds are booked on recreation.gov, often months ahead. Keep to existing roads and tracks, and never block them.

Campgrounds are the easy option, and a good one. Many state park and national park sites have restrooms, picnic tables and fire rings or grills where allowed. You cannot spend the night in the vehicle on the street on the Strip, so plan a campground or RV park when you stay in Las Vegas.

Aerial view of an RV campground loop in the desert hills at Willow Beach

Sleep under the desert sky

Pick your dates and see which rooftop tent vehicles are available.

Pack for desert weather

Desert nights can be much cooler than the days, especially in spring, fall and at altitude: Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 to 9,000 ft (2,400 to 2,700 m). Bring warm layers and a good sleeping bag. In summer it is very hot, often over 105°F (40°C) in Las Vegas and Death Valley, so camp at higher elevations and carry plenty of water. In strong wind, look for a sheltered place to park before you unfold the tent.

From July to September the monsoon can bring sudden storms and flash floods: do not camp in washes or dry riverbeds. The reward is waking up to a view through the tent door.

Milky Way arching over a dry lake bed and a dark hill in Death Valley, in black and white

Frequently asked questions

Most rooftop tents unfold in a few minutes and pack away almost as quickly, so moving on every day is no trouble. There are no pegs to hammer in and no need to look for flat, dry ground.
The tent sits on a vehicle, and the vehicle has to be parked legally: at a campground or RV park, or on BLM public land, where camping is free, usually up to 14 days, with no services. You cannot camp on the street on the Strip. Leave no trace.
In spring and fall, with a good sleeping bag and warm layers, yes. Nights can drop close to freezing at altitude, for example around Bryce Canyon, so a campervan or motorhome with heating is the more comfortable choice in winter. In summer the main issue is the heat.
No. It is driven on a regular driver's license. The license, minimum age and other requirements for each vehicle depend on the rental company and are listed on its page.
The price depends on the vehicle, the season and the length of your trip. Each card on this page shows a guide price per day. Enter your dates and pick-up location in the search to see the exact price in USD, and what it includes, before you book.