Lake Mead National Recreation Area

How to Get There

From Las Vegas (30 mi): Take US-93 S through Henderson and Boulder City, then follow signs to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Overview

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a national recreation area in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. Operated by the National Park Service, Lake Mead NRA follows the Colorado River corridor from the westernmost boundary of Grand Canyon National Park to just north of the cities of Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona. It includes all of the eponymous Lake Mead as well as the smaller Lake Mohave - reservoirs on the river created by Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, respectively - and the surrounding desert terrain and wilderness.

Formation of Lake Mead began in 1935, less than a year before Hoover Dam was completed. The area surrounding Lake Mead was protected a bird refuge in 1933, later established as the Boulder Dam Recreation Area in 1936 and the name was changed to Lake Mead National Recreation Area in 1947. In 1964, the area was expanded to include Lake Mohave and its surrounding area and became the first National Recreation Area to be designated as such by the U.S. Congress.

Amenities

Lake Mead NRA features water recreation, including boating, swimming, and fishing, on both lakes as well as the stretches of river between the lakes. It also features hiking trails and views of the surrounding desert landscape. Three of the four desert ecosystems found in the United States — the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Sonoran Desert — meet in Lake Mead NRA. Tours of Hoover Dam - administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation - are also a major attraction within the recreation area.

The ghost town of St. Thomas, Nevada is contained entirely within Lake Mead NRA. The town, once entirely submerged beneath Lake Mead, features a two-mile-long loop trail with interpretative signage. It is accessed near the Northshore Entrance Station, just south of Overton.

Wilderness areas

There are currently nine officially designated wilderness areas under the National Wilderness Preservation System lying within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. All are in the Nevada portion. Parts of some of these wildernesses (as indicated) lie outside Lake Mead NRA and are managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead is a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the Southwestern United States. It is located in the states of Nevada and Arizona, 24 mi (39 km) east from Las Vegas Strip. It is the largest reservoir in the United States in terms of water capacity. Formed by the Hoover Dam on September 30, 1935, the reservoir serves water to the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada, as well as some of Mexico, providing sustenance to nearly 20 million people and large areas of farmland.

At maximum capacity, Lake Mead is 112 miles (180 km) long, 532 feet (162 m) at its greatest depth, has a surface elevation of 1,221.4 feet (372.3 m) above sea level and 247 square miles (640 km2) of surface area, and contains 26.12 million acre feet (3.222x1013 L) of water.

Recreation and marinas

Lake Mead provides many types of recreation to locals and visitors. Boating is the most popular. Additional activities include fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and water skiing. Four marinas are located on Lake Mead: Las Vegas Boat Harbor and Lake Mead Marina (in Hemenway Harbor, NV) operated by the Gripentogs, and Callville Bay (in Callville Bay, NV) and Temple Bar (in Arizona), both operated by Forever Resorts. The area also has many coves with rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. Several small to medium-sized islands occur in the lake area depending on the water level. In addition, the Alan Bible Visitor Center hosts the Alan Bible Botanical Garden, a small garden of cactus and other plants native to the Mojave Desert. The Grand Wash is a recreational area located in the north side of the lake.

Things to Do

Explore America's First and Largest National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses more than 1.5 million acres of desert, mountains, canyons, and shoreline across Nevada and Arizona. Surrounding both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, the recreation area offers a remarkable combination of water recreation, desert exploration, scenic drives, and outdoor adventure opportunities.

Enjoy Boating and Water Sports on Lake Mead

Lake Mead is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States and is a premier destination for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, jet skiing, swimming, and houseboating. Numerous marinas and launch ramps provide easy access to the lake's expansive waters and scenic coves.

Visit Hoover Dam

Located near the western boundary of the recreation area, Hoover Dam is one of the most famous engineering achievements in the United States. Visitors can tour the dam, view exhibits on its construction, and enjoy dramatic views of the Colorado River and Black Canyon.

Discover Desert Wildlife and Scenic Landscapes

The recreation area is home to bighorn sheep, coyotes, desert tortoises, numerous bird species, and a wide variety of desert plants. Visitors can explore rugged mountains, colorful desert valleys, hidden coves, and scenic overlooks throughout the park.

Explore Historic Railroad and Mining Sites

Several historic sites throughout the recreation area highlight the region's role in the construction of Hoover Dam and the development of the Southwest. Visitors can hike former railroad routes, visit historic structures, and learn about the area's industrial and cultural history.

Experience Outstanding Stargazing

Far from major urban light pollution, many areas within Lake Mead National Recreation Area offer excellent night sky viewing. Visitors can enjoy clear views of the Milky Way, meteor showers, planets, and countless stars across the desert sky.

Top Trails

Historic Railroad Trail

Length: Approximately 7.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

One of the recreation area's most popular hikes, this trail follows the route used during the construction of Hoover Dam. Visitors pass through large railroad tunnels while enjoying spectacular views of Lake Mead and the surrounding desert landscape.

Liberty Bell Arch Trail

Length: Approximately 2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

This scenic desert hike leads to Liberty Bell Arch, a striking natural sandstone arch located in a rugged canyon. The route features beautiful desert scenery, colorful rock formations, and excellent photography opportunities.

Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail

Length: Approximately 4.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Significant
Difficulty: Strenuous

This challenging canyon adventure leads hikers through a series of rugged narrows, ropes, boulder scrambles, and hot spring pools before reaching the Colorado River. It is one of the area's most adventurous hikes.

River Mountains Loop Trail

Length: Approximately 34 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

This paved multi-use trail circles the River Mountains and connects Lake Mead with nearby communities. It is popular with cyclists, runners, and walkers seeking scenic desert and mountain views.

Sources: National Park Service official Lake Mead National Recreation Area information, including details on boating, camping, fishing, hiking trails, wildlife, Hoover Dam access, and recreational opportunities. https://www.nps.gov/lake/https://www.nps.gov/lake/
Additional information verified through National Park Service visitor guides covering the Historic Railroad Trail, Lake Mead marinas, Lake Mohave recreation, scenic drives, and outdoor activities throughout the recreation area. https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hikemead.htmhttps://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hikemead.htm
Further trail and recreation information reviewed through regional outdoor recreation resources covering Liberty Bell Arch, Gold Strike Hot Springs, the River Mountains Loop Trail, and desert exploration opportunities throughout Lake Mead National Recreation Area. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/nevada/lake-mead-national-recreation-areahttps://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/nevada/lake-mead-national-recreation-area

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Lake Mead National Recreation Area", and "Lake Mead", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0