Lake Mead National Recreation Area Reviews

We drove accross Lake Mead on our way to Hoover Dam.
It was a beautiful landscape with a huge dark blue lake! :-)

We took a wrong turn on the way to Hoover Dam and happened upon this Visitor Center. The movie was a bit of a disappointment because we were hoping to hear about the history of the area, and it was about the importance of water to various people. The walk itself was great. It's on an old railway line, the one used when Hoover Dam was being built. Lake Mead is lovely in various shades of blue. The elevation nearby is attractive also. A few signs explain some of the history. It's possible to walk or bike to Hoover Dam. We just enjoyed a hike on a beautiful day.

Did the drive from the Hoover Dam entrance station through Las Vegas Bay, Callville and the Black Mountains exiting at the Valley of Fire. The lake is very low but still a lot of water craft, although it was Memorial Day. Very helpful National Park staff and loads to see and enjoy. Having the Annual Pass ($80 per year) makes the cost excellent value.

there is a boat tour that goes our from the recreation area
it does cost 20$ to enter the park
they have a beach area, animals are welcome it is rocky beach
crystal clear water

Boating Lake Mead are really horrible. Called in advance, told them we will arrive at 3PM, and they said OK. We arrived 5 minutes late and they said they close ate 3PM (!!). Nobody told us. We told them this is not OK - they didn't care...

I am sure Hoover Dam and the waters of Lake Mead are much bigger tourist draws but I prefer the long drives with one vista after another opening up as you drive. Two nice alternative ways into the recreation are taking Lake Mead Blvd east through Sunshine Mountain and going in from Henderson past Lake Las Vegas. Both the drives are scenic ways to enter.

We were based in Henderson for 02 nights and went on driving tour to Hoover Dam; on way we happen to take this the scenic road via this area; entry pass was $ 20, but I feel it's fully worth.

The view was amazing and the peace is everywhere.

As we had a hire car in Vegas we took ourselves off to Lake Mead, its only around a half hour drive from the top of the strip to Lake Mead. You need to pay an entry fee to site, I think it was about $10 for the car so not too bad.

We followed the sigs to Lake Mead Marina / Las Vegas Boat Harbor. We hired one Jet Ski for 2 people for one hour. The process of doing so was very simple, we watched a 15 min safety video in the shop, paid a deposit and were pretty much set! They are very helpful and gave great advice and a map of where to go to see the back of Hoover Dam and also best places to get off and have a swim.

It was about $95 to hire it for an hour. Everyone there was really friendly, great atmosphre. Once you dock back in they fill up your jet ski with gas, which only cost us another $8.

Neither of us had ever been on a jet ski but it was so much fun and we were given freedom to go exploring. We got the jet ski up to about 50mph. It was such a refreshing and lovely way to spend the afternoon, perfect ifyou need a little bit of restbite from the strip!!

We first enjoyed a great breakfast in Boulder City at the Coffee Cup Cafe. It did not disappoint - -cute surroundings and delicious coffee and omelette !!!

Then we drove to Lake Mead. We had envisioned driving as far as we could around the lake, taking a hike, and then our noon boat tour to Hoover Dam. We found where we were to meet the boat tour (a paddlewheeler for ‘looks' not power) and then he suggested we drive over to Hoover Dam. We’d visited back in 2004 on our very first trip to LV. In 2004 we spent a few nights at the Grand Canyon and visited Hoover Dam before heading back to LV and we were hooked on LV from that moment). Since HD had not been on my ‘To do’ list and had not researched it we had no idea it was closed to tourists….. oh well. It was only 11 miles from the lake and we enjoyed the pretty scenery on the drive. We stopped by the Hoover Dam Lodge on the way back to kill a bit of time — they have a nice display inside of large photos of the ‘old days’ of Hoover Dam - very interesting. That lodge is really large and seems very nice.

We went back to the Lake Mead area and walked the River MT loop trail. We were not dressed for ‘hiking’ so did not attempt the Railroad trail. We saw lots of bikers on the nice trail. We still had time to kill so we drove as far as we could along the lake and enjoyed the views.

Our boat tour was 12-1:30 and such a relaxing time on the water. We enjoyed the fresh air and the magnificent scenery. We met a local couple who enjoys visiting N Parks like we do so we enjoyed comparing experiences. There was a recorded commentary giving lots of good facts about the lake and Hoover Dam — an excellent tour and it was only $35 per person — highly recommend.

We had some time on our hand while we were waiting for check-in at nearby Westin in Lake Las Vegas. We were not charged entry fee because we had the national park annual pass. We were advised by a very friendly staff to take the 50-mile drive that took through some spectacular scenery. The drive barely had any traffic. The weather was unbearable and temperature went well beyond one hundred. If it wasn't for the heat this would a perfect drive. See some of the pictures and judge for yourself.

Whether it was sky or water it was beautiful blue Nice little stop allng the way to the Dam and Grand Canyon Beautiful picture area Very scenic from ground and air

We traveled from downtown Las Vegas ,where it was a balmy 107 degrees to BEAUTIFUL Lake Mead. We rented a pontoon boat from the LOVELY people at the marina and we spent the day cruising around the lake. Our first stop after setting sail was of course, Hoover Dam. It’s amazing from any angle but there was something special about seeing it from the water. We dropped anchor in a beautiful cove and went swimming and floated for the afternoon. It was crazy to think that in that beautiful blue green water, surrounded by desert mountains we were less than 40 minutes from the dazzling Las Vegas lights. It’s an AMAZING experience!!! One I highly recommend.

Visited this place with the family members and it was worth it.
The wonderful camping area. The beautiful view of the lake and shore. The lake is clean . The flora around the entrace is colorful and there is various activities in the area.
If you can get their forever National pass you can come for free and see this area.
You can see people in their boats, rentals etc
There is a small mountain in the middle of the lake which is fabulous .
There are a lot of fauna sea birds that walk with you in the area and follows you like dogs for food.
Great adventure
Will recommend to friends.

$15 per car with no extra charges.. a lake in the desert so take water and do NOT wander too far or too long into the wilderness. Spectacular scenery. Some facilities around the marinas but these are few and far between. Only park in designated car parks. The entrance fee lasts 7 days so can be re-used... you do not need to see all on one day

We have the National Park pass, so usually visit the park locations when we can. The visitor’s center is very informative and the lake is beautiful, but the water level is very low.

We were very lucky to visited Lake Mead, on our way to the Hoover Dam and were certainly not disappointed it was beautiful. Would recommend a trip here.

We visited in the fall in the late afternoon. It was hot. We drove to the marina and walked out. I could not believe all the fish, carp I think, that would literally jump out of the water to grab whatever scraps you sent them. This place must be amazing in the summer when all the people are out boating. We will definitely have to come back. It's super hot out there so maybe spring would be better

Beautiful drive through the recreation area. The lake is a pretty blue color against the color of the surrounding hills. The only downsize to the area was that we could not see the Hoover Dam as it was closed to everyone, even the scenic overlooks were closed.

Thank you to the really helpful staff at the information/tourist point. Helped us with a map and points to stop as our hire car didn't have say nav so we were getting a bit lost! Thank you for your help (and a loo break!)

If you like camping, boating, hiking, off roading and other outdoor adventures this is the place to go. There are a few passes you can get to the park a (1) week pass or a (1) year pass. We rented a boat while we visited the park. It was reasonably priced and we had an amazing time!! I would recommend visiting this park if you like out door things to do. Definitely take the time to rent a boat or jet ski it is worth it!! I would recommend this park to young and old, couples, singles and families.

The water level is very low. It is especially noticeable at the north end near the town of Overton, NV. St Thomas is an old community that is now exposed by low water. Hike there.

We took a drive around Lake Mead and stopped for a few photos. I wish we would have got in the water because it looked amazing. I don't think I've ever seen such a landscape; deep blue water surrounded by a desert. It was a nice break from the city. I would definitely come back, hopefully for a longer visit.

Lake Mead is a beautiful lake located near Las Vegas. We enjoyed the views, the visitor center. We had a very nice lunch at Lake Mead Marina. This is an easy trip to find a little nature near Las Vegas.

We caught this area twice, once coming back from the Hoover Dam and stopped at the visitors center and again when we left Valley of Fire and drove back to Vegas along the scenic route. Lots of pretty desert scenery as well as watching the declining water levels.

Beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area is just minutes away from the strip by car, but is a completely different experience. This huge lake behind Hoover Dam is filled with recreation opportunities. Of course, boating is one of the biggest, but you can also camp, swim, hike and enjoy the scenery.

The road that runs through the park offers beautiful views and different perspectives along various portions of the lake. If you're heading to Las Vegas, step away from the casinos and breathe!

My friend and I used the National Park annual pass to get in free, but beware they're otherwise charging $25 for a daily pass. I understand supporting the NPS and all that, but there's not a whole lot to do in January. The visitor center is nice, but it is quite small, and we spent more time trying to find it than we spent inside. We got our NPS Passport stamps and then left.

We rented mountain bikes in Boulder and had a great ride along the Railroad hiking trail. Nice easy flat ride that meanders along through tunnels blasted to carry supplies to the dam. Good for any type of rider. Take lots of water and keep sun screen on.

We went to the visitors' center and dropped at scenic points for photo ops. It was nice enough that we'll go back when we have more time to spare, and will bring the dogs with us!

We had a boat trip for few hours with family and friends. Very impressive. Quite large marina at Lake Mead.

We drived into this area on our way to the Valley of Fire State Park and Hurricane. With the Nationl Park Annual Pass, we can drive through for free, and it is quite pleasant to enjoy the peaceful and gorgeous lake view when driving.

Spent 2 weeks camping at the Lake Mead RV campground that is located within the national park. We have visited a couple times before but this was our first time camping it.

Our interests are hiking, biking, camping and scenic drives. All were met in this park. The best part was how uncrowded this park is in comparison to others. I would say it’s a hidden gem.

We drove through the park to Valley of Fire to hike. The drive is beautiful! Valley of Fire is amazing! Check out some of the short hikes along the way. The beautiful red rock trail is worth a stop and a picnic.

We biked and hiked the Historic Rail Trail. This trail takes you right to Hoover Dam. We walked over the bridge for viewing of the dam. We also went down to the dam for a closer look. This is all free to do. There is a charge for going down into the dam. We did this years ago so did not bother repeating it.

The River Mountains Trail is a 34 mi/55 km paved path that links Boulder City, Henderson, Lake Las Vegas and Lake Mead. Its amazing! We biked the loop a couple times. Clock wise is a easier route. We also hiked or walked portions of the trail. We hopped on the trail a couple times to bike into Boulder City. Boulder is a cute retro town. Great coffee shops as well as brew pubs.

A few close by paved paths for hiking or biking is the Wetlands Trails, Union Pacific and the Las Vegas Wash. All great options. We spent an afternoon biking each.

Red Rock Canyon is about an hour away. We have biked it and hiked it. This trip we decided not to as they have gone to reserving a time slot. Also another great day trip is Death Valley. We did that one trip. As well as a drive on Route 66, Oatman and Laughlin. Twice we have spent a couple days in Vegas. This trip we decided not to.

Very nice drive with many picnic/bathroom/scenic stops, most of the marina areas have water fountains. There are plaques at most stops identifying the geology, history, or other interesting facts. It does cost $20 for a car to enter the park but the pass is good for 7 days. We spent one day leisurely driving along Lake Mead Parkway and Northshore road, then the next day we used Northshore road to get to Valley of Fire State Park. We did find that a lot of people drive very fast (speed limit is 55 mph in most places), but there are ample options for passing so the few vehicles we did see simply passed us and were gone. If you have the chance to drive through at sunset it is particularly beautiful and we happened to see 4 wild horses.

Rented a car and visited Grand Canyon on the way back to Vegas myself & my husband visited lake mead it was a beautiful hot day only wished we had longer there 👍

Beautiful lake. Provides some relief from the heat of the vast desert landscape. Definitely worth the drive from Las Vegas.

A really nice place not far outside Las Vegas. I think a lot of oeoplecfrom the city come here, we definitely get the impression that there were more locals there than tourists!
It was still a bit chilly when we went ery early on a May morning so we didn't swim, actually I don't even know if you can? Lovely place for a stroll though, very peaceful looking out on the water and back towards the Hoover Dam.

I cannot say enough about the beautiful area that is lake mead! We saw a ton of wildlife and old trails but the best part to me was the overlook of lake mead. It will literally take your breath away!!

Please know before you take your children to this park that people are allowed to throw huge parties on the "beaches." This past weekend I traveled over four hours to take my ten year old nephew and my seven year old niece to this park just to have to explain to them why people were allowed to get naked, drunk, and play their music so loud that we could not hear each other talk. The idea was to take them out into nature and help them get away from all the craziness in this world right now. Well, that backfired big time. No one seems to patrol this park to keep any of these parties from happening. It is a beautiful place that the people of this country "own." Not a select rich few who just think they do. Mr. Giant Red Boat owes my family an apology and quite frankly, so does the national park system. I cannot image people getting to walk around hammered and naked at Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, etc...Lake Mead needs to remind itself of its national park title or have said title taken away.

We've been coming here for years and even tho the motel & marina are shuttered, the campgrounds are awesome. Upper & Lower for dry camping are spectacular with clean ablutions and great sites (all sizes, lots with great shade and views) and the full hookup park is very nice - 50amp, shade, great ablution block with full and clean laundry. People are very nice and Nolan in the office/store (basic supplies including reasonably priced fuel and ice) has always been most helpful and friendly. The lake itself is spectacular with a top notch ramp and the water is far less busy than the west part of the lake by Calville. Highly recommend this beautiful part of Lake Mead.

What a beautiful area!!! Loved the vista scenes of the beautiful blue water. Cactus were so beautiful!!! Please stop by here on the way to Hoover Dam!!!

This is the second time I have taken this tour, anyone that is too cheap to pay the $30.00, is missing out on a fantastic opportunity. It is just amazing to see the inside of this dam and to here the stories of how it was built and is maintained.

We camped at Callville Bay, one of the most beautiful and well kept campsites at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Most campers were in RVs, but we are long-time tent campers and used all the facilities. The restrooms were clean and well-lighted. Jason, the camp host, was terrific - welcoming, available and conscientious to all. With the start of spring, the birds sang to us every morning. Well stocked marina store and hot showers, too!

With 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys, and two lakes, there are ample opportunities for hiking, cycling, camping, boating, and fishing in the national recreation area. There are several recommended trails (just ask one of the national park rangers), but we did the Historic Railroad Trail which is closest to the park entrance and visitor center. The Historic Railroad Trail is an easy hike with fantastic views of Lake Mead, Boulder Basin, and Fortification Hill. The information signs will guide you through the construction of the railroad as you walk through railroad tunnels. You can actually take the trail all the way to the Hoover Dam (a little under 4 miles), but we decided to just hike about half of the trail out and back for the same distance. There is no reprieve from the sun so although it is a great trail, the heat is brutal! We saw several bighorn sheep along the trail and enjoyed the beautiful views of Lake Mead.

Our cousins took us for a drive from the Strip to Lake Mead. He had an annual pass so we did not have to pay to through Lake Mead. We did not go on the water but the drive and the sights were still nice.

Rented a 75' houseboat with a small boat for cruising. Listened to the experienced staff for a good cove for pulling up the boat. It was very hot but the beauty of the lake is awe inspiring. We stayed 3 nights which was just perfect. If we had another family we could have done a week but that was enough for the 5 of us (3 teens). It was perfect to have a small boat for cruising and for the kids to go tubing.

We added 2 days at Vegas on the front and one on the end for a unique experience all together as a family. Crazy Vegas to serene beauty, and then back to craziness for the last night.

So lake Mead is an amazing manmade Lake. The largest in America and the third largest in the world. There are several places to stop to get views of the lake. However we did not get to see any of the desert long horned sheep (technically they are goats, FYI). They are not coming down from the mountains to graze as the incense plants are blooming early and they love to snack on those.

We called in on the way back from a drive to see the Hoover Dam. The view looking down from the road is awesome but on driving to the entrance we were disappointed to come across the obstacle of a $20 entrance fee. If we had been intending to do something down at the shoreline then I would have considered the fee but I decided that it was not worth $20 just to drive down and see the lake side. So overall disappointed but we did get some nice photos from the viewing points up the road,

Boring. Not pmuch to see or do. Dirty. Birds such as seagulls and ducks (and everything unwanted that comes along with them) EVERYWHERE! Tons of people feeding them too so we had to walk through tons of birds which seems dirty and smelled disgusting. Nothing to do. Won't go back. Not worth the $25.

Well, not that I dont appreciate natural landscapes, etc but my husband and I could have spent the time doing something more exciting. I was expecting some "wow" factor, but it was a pretty boring hum-drum drive. We stopped at a small Marina to have lunch. Friendly staff but very basic food. We drove the next day through Red Rock Canyon which was byfar, more interesting.

We drove part of the way around the lake to Valley of fire.
The lake is dry and therefore inaccessible in most places. It seems abandoned.
The beach is dirty, and there was a smell of putrefaction. We immediately turned back.

We loved this place because the children were able to feed the ducks and fish and have a great time. We took spectacular family photos and as we went at sunset we found the spectacular image of a rainbow. This place is full of yachts so people who like to sail can do so while contemplating a wonderful landscape. It is very close to Las Vegas so you can't miss a sunset in this place, highly recommended.

Really beautiful. We did the owl canyon trail. This is a slot canyon and a fairly easy less than 2 mile round trip I believe. It didn't feel like it took very long. Slot canyon is very neat. We took about an hour to do the whole thing and we stopped in the canyon for awhile to check it out.

Absolutely underwhelmed by our very limited experience at this park. The beach area is very littered, it's dirty. we have a couple of hours til our flight so thought we would try it out. Wouldn't come again.
I've rated it as average as there are other kids here for my children so the lake and beach are certainly doing their job of entertaining my kids but as an adult... Think it's pretty skanky and would rate it as poor. Not sure why nps isn't better regulating the areas that are marketted for childrn

Drove through the Park on my way to LAS from Kanab. Sadly, I didn't have time to stop and enjoy any trails. Beautiful scenery!

This is an easy 2.4 mi round trip trail which is great for families with small kids. If you use Waze, type Owl Canyon Trailhead in Boulder City, NV and it will bring you to the parking lot where the trail starts. From the parking lot, find the sign for Owl Canyon and head down from there. As you get closer to the canyon, go to the left side and it will narrow into a slot canyon. Look at the walls for the white wash from the owls. Unfortunately we did not see any owls but this was a beautiful hike and worth doing it. There is also a culvert which you can go thru as well as a second double culvert which was our turning point to head back. The kids really enjoyed the hike and had lots of fun.

The Park Rangers were great and are confident about the future. The park offers great hiking and you can walk for hours. Great Photo ops. As America's Largest Reservoir, it doesn't have much water left.

Nice park to visit, the landscape reminds me of the first planet of the apes movie. Lots of trails and docks for boats,

The views were stunning. Also all the info graphics on the building of the dam and the development of Lake Mead were very informational.

My wife and I travelled with Grayling tours Las vegas to Lake mead to go on the famous paddle steamer 36 miles to be let down by a 2 bit company all they seem to be interested in was keeping us cooped up their gift shop fobbing us off telling us you'll be on the next sail then just as we were looking forward to going on Lake Mead another staff member told us no more trips today

Ps Tommy the bus driver was brilliant l felt sorry for the poor guy!if you see this Tommy we are the 2 from England

We needed a day off from gambling and the city lights so we jumped in the rental car and headed to Lake Mead. It was a nice sunny warm October day (24th, 2018) . It costs $25.00 for a group of 3 adults in a car for the day (good for 6 days) Beautifull areas to stop and make a lunch along the way while enjoying the scenery. Lots of walking/biking trails, camping areas, r.v. parks, boat launches and information centres. Well worth the effort to visit.

The lake level is very low right now, but we still had a very nice time at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. We've been before so this is a repeat trip.

This time we did:

1) We took a delightful noon time cruise on the Desert Princess Paddle-Wheeler.

2) We saw Hoover Dam and Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

3) We spent some time enjoying the water and park area at the Boulder Beach. its a very good beach area.

4) We drove the North Lake Shore Drive route.

Yes, there is a $20.00 entrance fee to the park. Its a by car rate. We enjoyed the day.

The rangers are very friendly and knowledgeable. Huge park with tons of outdoor activities. Don't go if you plan to sit on your rear.

The "beach" is nothing but rocks so plan on water shoes but the water was clean and the kids had fun.

We stopped by Lake Mead while visiting the Hoover Dam on our way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 2019. The views around here are stunning. We didn't get chance to explore the area much as it was a whistle stop visit but would love to in the future. The place is so picturesque and relaxing. Such a shame about the decreasing water levels.

This is a lovely place to stop off. I don't know if we were just lucky but there were no crowds. It was about 22 degrees and blue skies. I can imagine that the peak of summer time would be busier.
There is a boat hire place here too so if you fancy a different view of the hoover dam it's worth a visit.
The colours of the lake are stunning against the back drop of the rocks. See for your self.

Whether it's the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam you are passing right by if you driving from Las Vegas.
It's really beautiful and a good stop for pictures. The lake was created by the over spill from the making of the Hoover from the Colorado River.

We took a ride out to the Lake Mead Recreational Area as we are National Park Passholders and wanted to see what it was like. What a beautiful area! We walked around the marina a little bit then drove over to Boulder Beach and walked around.

It was later in the afternoon and traffic was minimal. As we drove along, we pulled over and checked out many of the overlooks. Most of the time, we were the only ones there and it was amazing how quiet it was.

We could see campers and other vehicles on the other side of the park, but didn't have time to get over there. It was a nice way to spend a few hours and I'm sure the views of the mountains when the sun starts to set are gorgeous.

We had a very nice morning on the river. We rented two kayaks and went up river to the emerald cave. It is really small. The real fun part was looking around. We saw an eagle with a white head, a kind of wild mountain goat and around 8 vultures drinking on the side of the river. Really cool to see!!!

Very romantic - really enjoyed this trip with my new husband! And the dinner was rustic but absolutely delicious!
Though be aware, mostly older couples on our trip (picked up by coach from hotel) but lovely for a quiet romantic night away from the madness of the Vegas strip! Then get back to it the next night, because that's what you're there for right?!

Went here to visit friends and did a boat and fishing tr up on Lake Mead and Lake Mojave. Fishing was slow due to the time of year and a cold front but the scenery was world class. Picture don't do it justice.

We enjoyed our visit to Lake Mead Recreation area! Beautiful drive and some fun hikes along the way. Make sure you stop at the visitors center, they are very helpful!

I have been to Willow beach many times not much there but a good place to put your boat in and fish. I was driving past there today and decided to go s take a look as it has been years since i last went.
Well let me tell you, you may think you Are ast a prison entrance with armed militia then there are the huge signs with untold rules and regulations. The part that makes no sense to me is that you will pay $25 just to drive in and take a look. Needless to say i just did a U turn and left. Unbelievable
.

We rented kayaks and paddleboards and spent the day out on the lake. From afar the water is so blue and beautiful. It was 80 degrees outside and it made for a perfect day.

I visited Valley of Fire State Park before driving thru this area. It's a great companion to the Park with its majestic vistas.

We drove thru nearing sunset and lived the colors and contrasts. We had to stop from time to time just to admire formation details.

It's a faster drive than the Valley of Fire with maximum speeds higher than we drove. Alas we saw no wildlife.

Bring water and expect restrooms without flush toilets. The occasional trails were welcomed.

Roads were in good shape and often had pull offs.

It's well worth a visit even if you miss the wonderful Lake.

Dang, entrance fee even if you going to camp. Nearest campground from Vegas is Boulder but that was full and they told me to go to the Las Vegas Bay campground about 1 mile down. The water's receded a lot, but I like the campground. The floor was soft and the bark from the trees made good fire starters. There was a trailer that sold necessities gas/ice/firewood for reason price really close to this camp ground. There was a live in ranger that was very helpful. $20/night pay at the entrance and don't take the clipboard. Lots of flies though that also got in the tent and bug you all night (bug spray didn't work on them)...bring an electric fly swatter.

We drove from the Valley of Fire along Lake Mead to Hoover Dam. The lake is enormous, but the white line about 150 feet above the water is troubling. I had difficulty enjoying the beauty of the lake thinking about how low the water was and what is going to happen in the future.

Another favorite destination that a must see when you’re in Las Vegas. Don’t miss this humangas lake that powers all surrounding states, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and California.

We were in this area twice during our visit to Vegas. The first time was exiting out of the Valley of Fire heading south toward Vegas. That is a beautiful drive. We did cut over to Echo Bay to see the lake and that was very disappointing. Everything is boarded up and there is a boat launch area, but it is nasty and littered with used tires. We didn't get out of the car here. We did see some wild horses during this drive - surprising in 106-degree heat.

The second day we entered from the south to get to the Lake Mead RV Village area for a river raft tour. It is a beautiful area and there is a marina in that area. We never made it around the east side of the area. It is very rustic and rural, but beautiful.

This was my second time in Nevada, and my best friend's first. Neither of us had been to Lake Mead; I will be forever happy that we decided to stop and check it out. It was such a privilege to experience such amazing natural beauty against the desert backdrop.

From the registration/gift shop staff to the guys who helped us get our life jackets and sport boat, everyone was really friendly and helpful. Make sure to pay attention to the 10-minute safety video; it's actually important.

The photos don't do this place justice; it's breathtakingly stunning here. I plan on going back as often as I can; it's so incredible. In my opinion, you should take two separate trips; one for the lake itself and another for the park surrounding the lake.

The $25 entry fee (valid for the day you arrive + 5 more days) is well worth the fun and views. The Strip and the casinos are great, but really once you've seen one casino, you've seen them all. Dig into your adventurous side and go visit Lake Mead...you won't regret one second of it!

We didn't plan visiting Lake Mead at this trip as it is worth a separate a few days long trip and we didn't have enough time. Our intention was just to have a picnic and relax a bit ashore the Boulder Basin, but at the end we spent there more than two hours walking and taking picture. It is wonderful. We will certainly come back to discover more about the lake.

Nice to visit the lake year around here. We learned they decreased their fee waiver days this year and President's Day didn't make the cut. Still nice to visit.

A brilliant experience to see something so peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip!
A trip on the paddle steamer finished it off perfectly.

In the desert it was do nice to see this beautiful lake surrounded by red rock mountains. It was very serene to just side by the lake and watch the sail boats.

We headed from Hoover Dam to Valley of Fire State and were guided on the road pass the shore of Lake Meade - it is as quiet, beautiful, yet so isolated - simply amazing.

The Lake Mead National recreation area offers magnificent views of the whole region. The views are especially nice from the visitors center near Boulder City.

I live in Las Vegas. Born and raised and lake mead is my happy place. I grew up boating here. And every birthday and anniversary w my husband I borrow my dads boat and jet skis and we celebrate here. If you have a boat and/or any water equipment I highly recommend going to lake mead. Launch from Calville bay go through the narrows and you can camp out at a popular area we call sandy beach (not sure that is the actual name for it but my family has called it that my whole life).

Rent a boat, a pontoon, or skidoos, and cruise Lake Mead on your own. Don’t want to go on the Lake? Bring some popcorn and feed the fish from the dock. It’s crazy fun. The fish are huge and they practically jump out of the water to get some popcorn. They will take it right out of your hand! The kids will love it.

I did a full day tour of the Lake Mead Recreation Park/Hoover Dam/Colorado River from Las Vegas and thoroughly enjoyed the experience (and the opportunity to get away from everything surreal that is unashamedly LV !!!) even though this trip wasn`t well advertised. I obtained my ticket through a discount give-away in the street ! There are many locations to visit around Lake Mead offering all sorts of outdoor activities. Some research before you travel is advised as this will enhance your visit. Enjoy !

Lots to do: camping, boating.Lots of scenic driving. The rock formations are a sight to see. Lots of lookout points.

We visited this mad made lake. What a beautiful place. We hired a boat for two hours. We loved it! The weather was so hot 45c so it was nice to have he boat to ourselves. There was tours however we decided on this option as we had hired a car.

Lake Meade is one of the most scenic lakes in the US. It is hard to imagine how large it would be when it is full when looking at it now. Lakeshore Drive which is the first road on the right after leaving Hoover Dam heading for Henderson has many miles of fantastic scenery. When Lakeshore Drive ends you can either turn left & go to Henderson or go right & have many more miles of scenic views.

We stopped at the Lake Mead Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is nice. The facilities are good. The views are beautiful. The views at the back are nice. We spent about 30 minutes at the center. We drove down to take pictures of the Lake Mead.

$25 per car or free with Access pass. The area is vast, lots of pull offs and multiple campgrounds along lake shore drive. Lake level is way down.

We stopped here for the washroom and some information on the dam. We left with so much more! The view and exhibits are amazing and the gift shop is lovely

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Entered Lake Mead during a SW road trip with our RV March 2023 from the north heading south on 169 through Overton. The toll gate was temporarily closed. There’s loads of boondocking but it was not crowded. With the lake being so low, there’s another layer of parking opened up. We never did make it over the lake during our overnight stay. This is convenient to get to from I15. Hwy 169 is in good shape. So was the road down to the Overton Bay area. Easy to get to with the rig and places to turn around after the houses toward the water. There’s no shade or camping services. Be self-contained. Lots of donkeys and feral horses here.

We went into Valley of Fire State Park which was interesting. But even better was Northshore Drive continuing on Hwy 169 south toward Henderson. Gorgeous scenery and gorgeously made road, easy driving! There are several parking areas to stop and hike or just take a look. Hardly anyone here (they are all at Valley of Fire).

Stopped at the Lake Mead Visitor’s Center at Boulder Bay which was superb! Wonderful exhibits, friendly staff, and excellent selection at the gift shop. We will definitely be coming back to Lake Mead to rent a boat and stay longer and explore the hiking trails.

#lakemead #nationalrecreationarea #boondock #redrocks #arizona #nevada #rvtravel #roadtrip #outthisdoor

Calm, quiet, cold, beautiful. We swam in Lake Mead one morning in late March, and it was as refreshing as it was lovely. With the exception of two kayakers and some feathered friends, I think we had the entire lake to ourselves, and it was perfect—the warm, glinting sun, the soft hush, the occasional swallow. Take a dip. Worth the system delight.

Another must-see when visiting Vegas. Stunning view from the lookout!

Sad to see how the waterline has receded from its normal levels due to less rain and higher water usage. However, it’s still an impressive sight to see.

Very easy to get to. Small parking area, but you’ll quickly get a spot due to the quick rotation of visitors.

We stopped here on our way from the Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon. You can't really miss lake mead if you're visiting the Hoover Dam. We went up to the observation to get a good view and appreciate the vastness of this reservoir.
Note - the car park at the observation is very small so you might have to wait to get a space.

I was at Lake Mead approximately 10 years ago and am shocked by the current water level. Back then, I saw evidence how low the water was and by comparison, the level now is just so low it leaves you speechless. I drove to several areas of the lake and found large crowds of boaters, swimmers, etc. It did not have the feel of a protected, national area and the stark whiteness of the once underwater islands kept it from looking pretty.

Once you get done with the Hoover dam drive down to lake Mead. It's beautiful and there is a little marina with a restaurant and tons of fish everywhere. It was very enjoyable.

Stopped at the overlook during a Go City pass NPS Hoover Dam highlights bus tour. Nice views. Car and large vehicle parking.

The area has hiking, kayaking, boating and many other things to do.

If you don’t have a National parks pass you might want to take the NPS tour bus because it’s included in the price.

We rented a very nice Bayliner speedboat from Las Vegas Boat Harbor and Lake Mead Marina (boatinglakemead.com) and had a wonderful time. The boat was almost new, in excellent condition and perfectly clean. We probably went 75-80 miles around the lake and saw fabulous scenery. The lake was smooth as glass and we just sailed across it. It was not exactly cheap but a wonderful way to spend a day and gain a memorable experience. It does cost $20 to get in the park, but if you have a national park pass, there is no charge.

Wear your water shoes, but this is a great spot for family swimming. Head over to the Marina to see some amazingly large lake fish swimming amongst the docks of the marina.

I was leary about using one of my Vegas trip days to visit a "lake" HOWEVER I absolutely loved Lake Mead. It was a very busy Saturday when we went so the boats were all rented however the great staff at the shop rented us a jet ski while we waiting for a boat to be returned. We were only out for about 15 minutes or so before we got the call that a boat was ready for us. Boating was so fun yet serene at the same time. We stopped to swim a couple times and the water is so clear and warm. Felt like a massive bathtub. Loved it! Can't wait to visit Lake Mead again

The lake was really awesome. The views of the lake are amazing and wonderful. There are tours available on the area which you will enjoy. There are also other great stuff to try.

I've been coming to Lake Mead prior to the bathtub ring but it's still a wonderful lake. By mid June the water is so warm and continues to get warmer every day throughout the Summer. There are great coves to take the boat in and our favorite launch area is Calville Bay. Minus the idiots who don't know what the "ready lane" is for, it's wonderful. They have people who work there that will transport you from the dock to your vehicle using golf carts. It's a life saver after a long day on the lake. Don't forget to tip them for their service.

About an hour or so outside of Vegas - super easy drive and spectacular sites. We loved seeing antelope who were not afraid so allowed us to get plenty of pics! Great for all ages and hiking skill levels

The Lake Mead recreation area is absolutely gorgeous and easily accessible. We were driving to Las Vegas from the south and stopped in several places where we could access the recreational area. There is a nice picnic area and several overlooks on the drive between Hoover Dam and Boulder.
We did not have more than an hour or two to spend, but would have loved to have spent more time. Take advantage of this gorgeous resource while you are in the area.

We RV camped at the National Park campground. No hookups, but remoteness and greenery of the park was nice. Sunset photo attached is from our camp site. There are restrooms, but no showers. Some sites have a small view of the lake.

Forever Resorts contracts with the Park service and has cabin rentals, full RV hookups, and several rental options for on the lake. Kayaks, deck boats, wave runners, ski boats and fishing boats. There is a store and restaurant in the marina area as well.

I've read a couple reviews that there was good paddling. We brought our paddleboard and kayak, but it was too windy when we were there. We did rent a boat for a day and really enjoyed the time on the lake.

There are a couple dirt roads across from the campground we checked out. Just short drives. One to Monkey Cove, it doesn't end up at water, but we saw 5 burro in the area (see pic). And the other goes to Her on Point which offers a nice view of the lake and marina area (pic attached with no people).

The ranger station has a short, .75 mile, hiking trail, as well. The ranger's station also has a little cactus garden out front with interesting info posted for the different plants.

It's just under an hour and a half from the south Vegas strip area.

Weekly visitor to the LMRA. Easy to find a decent dog play area early in the morning that doesn't conflict with anyone else. Garbage obvious particular after weekend which is quite sad. Yes broken bottles too so be aware. No sand beaches with road access. Gravel roads.

This is a true hidden gem. The therapeutic water of Lake Mead relaxes even the craziest of New Yorkers! The Mountain Scenery is breathtaking!! Cost is so reasonable $25.00 for 1 to 7 days. We went back twice!

We stop once a year in Boulder City to buy some cheap loaves of bread, then come out to the marina. We have hiked Railroad Trail in the past. Right now Tunnel 3 is closed. We brought friends. We all enjoyed the visitor center and movie. Then we went to marina and fed fish and ducks. My first ever siting of a wood duck in the wild. We also saw red head ducks and mallards. We came twice. We also came through to go to Valley of Fire State Park by driving North Shore road pass Rogers Hot Spring.

We stopped at the Allan Bible Visitor Center first and used the restrooms and filled our water bottles. These facilities were clean and well kept. There was a delightful exhibit room that gave us some information about the Lake Mead area.

We did some kayaking on the river from the Willow Beach area as well. Again the facilities were well kept and there was a store with essentials for camping or fishing etc.

A beautiful and quiet area where you can reconnect with nature just about an hour from the Strip.

We stopped out here just for a quick stop to take a peek and look and see at Lake Mead. The weather was hot 105° lots of people were coming and going off their boats very interesting place

The staff at the alan bible visitor center was quite helpful and informative. There are nice overlooks of the lake out back. The jr ranger program is well designed and both kids were into it. It is a few minutes drive to Hoover Dam and is right on the way from Las Vegas.

Huge recreation area just outside LV! Highly recommend for a bit of hiking but most folks use it for the boating/watercraft recreation activities. Stunning landscape along the NV/AZ border leading up to the famous Hoover Dam

My husband and I drove through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on our way from a stop at the Hoover Dam to our next destination, The Valley of Fire State Park. We did not have much time to explore, but could easily tell that it would be a wonderful location to return to in the future to hike, camp, and go out on the lake. The views from the car were incredible and there were plenty of overlooks to stop at along the drive.

We drove through the recreational area going from the Valley of Fire to the Hoover Dam. It is a pretty drive. But be aware that there is nothing along the drive. We did not go to the lake or do any of the recreational things that I am sure Lake Mead has to offer. There were places you could see the lake and it was pretty. Otherwise, it's a drive. There are cool rock formations and dessert landscapes throughout. If you are driving from VoF to Hoover Dam, I would probably recommend it.

A very extensive area where you can find not only the Mead Lake form based on the hoover dam creation but you can find as well a couple beaches, rivers, trails and access to the Hoover Dam too.

Amazing experience really loved it. We rode Jet skis around for 2 hours in an iconic area riding up to the back of the Hoover Dam it was perfect.!!

Lake Mead is a beautiful setting. We didn't have time to explore trails, etc. Overall, there's not much to do here driving through... a few pull-offs. Not much accommodation on the lake in terms of eating/or lodging.

Delightful roads, with amazing views from the top, the temperature was very high and you couldn't sit outside for long. Amazing place.

We hiked through the historical railroad trail to the dam. Wow ! What scenic beauty, the trail there and back is about 7m round trip. It's not hard except coming back the first mile is all up hill. So plan to go early or late because it's hot and full sun. Bring a lot of water. We at at the dam which was a good break . The views are lovely, the information about the creation of the bridges really amazing . Highly recomend. And it's free.

Lake Mead is a fascinating sight with the contrast between this large body of water and the surrounding stark desert scenery. However, it is now quite an eerie sight when you see the dramatic drop in the water levels reminding us of what is yet to come with the ongoing global climate change. There is a good scenic overlook if visiting the Hoover Dam area that can be found off the Hoover Dam Access Road.

We rented a car for two days to get away from the strip and took one day to drive to lake mead since the grand canyon was a bit to far. A walk along side the lake through tunnels built in 1931 that were used to transfer steel to build the Hoover dam. Took about 2hours, if you planned for it and brought water and food, you can even continue to see Hoover Dam.

My wife and I drove through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on our way to and from Hoover Dam. We enjoyed the stunning mountains and views of the lake. We stopped by the visitor's center for our passport stamp. There were some awesome looking trails nearby like the railroad tunnel trail, but unfortunately we had to catch our flight and couldn't hike.

took a drive up to Davis Dam and this recreational area and its stunning so scenic and the water is as blue as it gets.. short distance from Laughlin and Bullhead City and worth the drive.. Great place for a picnic

My brother rented a pontoon and I rented a jet ski for the day. It was fun as it was my first time riding a jet ski. My brother was on the pontoon just enjoying the lake all day. It was a Wednesday and the lake had a few boats so the lake was mostly empty of other boats or jet skis. Turned in the jet ski and took the pontoon to as close as possible to Hoover Dam and just cruised the lake for about 1 and 1/2 hours. Was very relaxing.

Absolutely gorgeous. Extremely desolate though so make sure you have plenty of gas and refreshments because you could go 30+ miles without coming across any fuel or food stops. Water was crystal clear and the scenery is a site to see. Be careful as the roads are curvy and could be dangerous if driven to fast.

If you're just driving through, as we were, you will still need to pay a $25 fee (per vehicle) to access this area. I thought it was absolutely absurd, as that's the price of many other, much better, National Parks (and this isn't a National Park - it's a recreation area). If you're going here to go boating or swimming and making a day of it, I guess it's not that bad, but when you're just passing through, it's major sticker shock.

We had an annual National Park pass, so we got in without paying the fee (but if we wouldn't have, we would've turned around). We were taking this way en route to Valley of Fire State Park and our GPS got really confused and we ended up in some restricted Gypsum Mine area and had to take some weird, convoluted way to get there. So be aware if you're not familiar with the area, like us!!

If you are looking for a scenic drive, this is just ok. It's just desert scenery with a man made lake. IMO, it's nothing special, but I'm from an area with a ton of lakes (ones that are real, lol) so this just didn't impress me.

Didn't hike, but enjoyed the views from the car and the Hoover Dam. Stopped at the Visitors Center and the rangers there were very helpful and informative - told us about a few photo ops nearby. Definitely worth stopping for some quick pics. Only a short distance from Vegas.

Rest place to spend some time. We will go out to the Hemingway Harbor to throw bread/popcorn out to the catfish. It is very interesting to see them scramble over one another to get their treat. Just to watch the mouths ready for the bread. We also feed the seagulls by throwing bread/popcorn up to them. They will swoop down or up to catch their treat. Great easy time out there. Sometimes we’ll go out for lunch or dinner. Foods good also.

It is nice to get out an see the Country, always, but this drive around Lake Mead did not have a lot to fascinate us. Next time, we will have to go off the main road and up into the hills.

Some of the view were very nice, but you can't compare to the grandeur of Lake Powell, for example.

This national park offers amazing opportunities for wildland recreation. You'll find entrances from Henderson, Boulder City, north Vegas and the Logandale area. Just doing the drive along the entire Northshore Road is a desert treat. If you do, stop at the unsigned, but noticeable, parking near the Henderson entry. From here you can look down at the Las Vegas Wash (waterflow from the mountains as well as city drainage) and one of its falls. There is an easy hiking trail down (Wetlands Trail) to the river and for those uncertain on a trail, the gated service road to the left winds up at the same river point. If you do take the trail there is a defined spur to a cliffside overlook, then retrace your path and head down to the river. The trail will have drop offs on both sides for a short bit and then, as you near the bottom, there will be a trail junction. The left path is a bit less steep and slick. Enjoy meandering and picnicking along the bank. If you want to fish remember there are state rules. Return whichever way is more comfortable for you. Though the park is open, it is only allowing vehicles with annual passes entry at this time. If you choose to walk-in, best do it from the Boulder City station. You can walk to Boulder Beach from here. It's on the River Mountain 35 mile loop bike/walk trail. Check to see what's open and mind your behavior. At this time, the park is vigorously patrolled. And it's federal land, not Arizona or Nevada.

Really Enjoyed this hike, trail starts just down from the Alan Bible Visitor Center, and ends on the top of the parking structure of Hoover Dam. Trail is about 3.5 miles long (7 miles round trip). Bring Lots of Water. 5 tunnels along the route. excellent photographic opportunities. plenty of benches to stop and rest if needed. there was no shortage of other hikers in case you need help. please be mindful that others are there walking, running, and biking. Trail Closes at Dark so plan accordingly.

This is from the vista point above Lake Mead, on the way to Hoover Dam. Nice short stop over. The scale of the dam and the lake is just so grand and dramatic. Imagine that it was built over 80 years ago in the midst of Great Depression. From the bath tub like ring around the Lake, you can see the loss of water level over the years.

If your an outdoorsy person or a history buff this is a must see. My husband and I went to the visitors center and got a trail map of the area. We walked through the cactus gardens on the visitor's center property then set off on the Railroad Trail. The trail is the railroad tunnels originally built to take materials to the Hoover Dam construction site. The area is just beautiful. The trail overlooks Lake Mead the entire way. Highly recommend.

I've spent a lot of time over the years camping in this area. The most wildlife (including bighorn sheep, hummingbirds and more) I have ever seen was on a day trip, in April, to Willow Beach - Lake Mead National Recreation Area. I read later that the bighorn can be often seen close to water sources so this makes sense. There were a lot of people around that day and, along with the wildlife, we were all enjoying it together! My America the Beautiful Pass got us in for free!

Our Friday day on the lake was perfection. The 110 degree temperatures were softened by our floating in the lake. We found a private area, which are numerous and parked our SUV right by the lake. We had some inflatables which we floated on for over an hour. Lots of great birds and blue skies. Typically, the lake is more crowded but there was not a person in sight. The only draw back is the excessive amount of litter on the paths, and near the lake.

Beautiful hike from Lake Mead to Hoover Dam and back. We saw some bighorn sheep blending quite well into the the hills near the trail. Bring a pack with lots of water and stop once in a while a look around you. That's when we noticed the bighorn sheep, otherwise they would have snuck right past us. Hoover Dam was a nice reward to see. Quite the drop indeed. The trail used to be railroad so there's a few tunnels. It's an easy hike. Not a single tourist on the hike but we did run into about 5 very friendly locals.

On our 3rd vegas trip we decided to take in lake mead and we certainly don't regret it. We took the noon cruise initially then decided to rent a pontoon boat to fill out our day and we absolutely enjoyed the day and the lake . We sailed right behind the Hoover dam!

Lake Mead National Recreational Area has a lot to offer. The beautiful blue water is amazing. We drove around to many of the shores and had lunch at Black Canyon. We saw many people in boats and kayaking. We would definitely go again.

Wonderful park! Beautiful scenery. Incredibly clean. Boating, swimming, hiking, camping, ice, cabins, store, and even gas pumps and a boat repair shop onsite. However, it was a little more expensive than other parks. I think it was about $20/car but I felt it was worth it. They do a great job keeping the park up to date and even had extra life jackets by the dock. I assume it's very very busy during the summer because the had huge boat wash out areas and certain lanes designated just for boats getting ready to launch. I'd definitely visit again!!

Happened on this area on our way from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam. Was surprised when we got to this area and realized we had to pay a National Park Service fee of $30.00. Fortunately, my husdbsnd is over 35 so he was able to purchase a $10.00 life time membership to all national parks in the US. We then happened on Boulder Basin. This is part of Lake Mead. The lookout point where we stopped was beautiful. It was a clear sunny day so we could see for miles over this beautiful lake. There were several small island in the distance.

I traveled here with my girlfriend and another couple. We first stopped at the visitor center to see what was there. They had the typical souvenirs and a small exhibit. They were also showing a short movie. There are bathrooms there along with a place to fill your water bottle. The views from the center are great.

Having just visited Hoover dam, we noticed a sign for Lake Mead and decided to have a look. It was well worth it, from the top of the access road, the views of the lake and area are wonderful, if you decide to go see, have a good camera with you but there is virtually no walking required and no entrance fees. It won't take long to see it all but the photographs will be worthwhile.

It is sad to see how the lake is being consistently drained for water. How long will it be before the lake is empty?

There is now a bypass that allows people to avoid lake Meade when traveling from NV to AZ.

Lake Mead is beautiful! Definitely a sight to see. The water is blue & it is clean. However, the lake level is down as of now.

Divided to rent a ski boat and take family tubing since they had never done that. My 13year old granddaughter never wanted to get off tube she loved. 16year old grandson. Like it also but not as much as his sister. My daughter was the lookout and I was the driver my son-in-law alternated riding the tube just to give the kids a break once in a while. The winds picked up to 40mph we cruzed in a cove to take nature, worked out neat we saw a herd of long horned sheep grazing near the waters edge. Everyone was tired and happy. All of the employees were very nice and helpful with the boat rental.

We have visited this area several times and always enjoy our time here. We visited the dam of course, the visitor center and took a drive up Lakeshore dr.. The scenery is always nice, the rangers at the visitor center are always very helpful and informative. The area is perfect for boating, fishing, hiking, camping....just about any outdoor activity is available here. Including spending time at a nearby park, we probably spent about 4 hours in this area. So much to do, you need to stop here

The perfect place to cool down from the vegas heat. The water is nice and refreshing, the surrounding mountains are red and it was virtually empty of people, locals only seemed to pass the afternoon there.

We were visiting Vegas and decided to bring the kids there for a day. We switched hotels to be closure,that is how much we liked it. We rented wave runners the first day and say the Hoover Dan from the waterside, then found a cove to swim and hike in.

The next day we rented a boat for the entire day and did the same thing and added fishing. The fishing is amazing here. My kids caught 6 each and started to complain it was too easy.

We had another fun day at Lake Mead. The day was gorgeous and blue. Lake Mead looked beautiful. We did some hiking. Lake Mead is a wonderful area to visit year round for boating, sightseeing, hiking, picnics, and taking pictures. Today it was so pretty.

Located East of N. Las Vegas, out Hwy. 147 (Lake Mead Blvd). The NPS Pay Station Entrance is on Hwy. 167 (Northshore Rd.). A National Parks Pass will be good for the entrance fee; otherwise the fee schedule is posted. Pick up the NPS flyer, It has a good map. It's about 50 miles out to the end at Echo Bay, and at this point, you will be in open desert. Once one leaves the city, there are only two locations with restrooms along this road: Northshore Trailhead has a vault toilet, and Redstone has a cell signal, restrooms. and trash containers. Both have off the road parking, but no water, no gas, and no vending machines. The road is hilly but in good condition. There are no locations on the Overton Arm to put in a boat.
Overton Road is completely closed off.
Callville Bay, has restrooms, but The bay is on Launch-At Your-Own-Risk status. There is a restaurant; call ahead for availability. The parking area is large, and paved.
Echo Bay has camping, an RV Park, an RV Supply store with snacks, gasoline, and NPS maintained flushing restrooms. The airport landing strip is not monitored. The Marina no longer exists and the Resort is permanently closed, as is the 'T' dock Launch site. The water is very low, but if you can carry an inflatable water-craft over some rough terrain, it may be possible to put it in. No jet skies. Nothing is monitored. The road out to what once was the marina, is not maintained, it's over a mile long, and is unimproved gravel.
The trip through LMNRA is beautiful, stark, and full of colorful rocks and shadows. Remember the dangers of direct sun and dangerously high summer temperatures. High winds and stormy conditions can arise without warning. Cell phone service may be spotty.
Hemenway Harbor is still open for boat launches.

The railroad trail by the Alan Bible visitor center is usually steady with hikers, bikers, dog walkers and families with strollers. Yesterday, as a 40 year resident, I took the high road. Literally. A more secluded, easy hike is actually just ABOVE the railroad trail. Park in the small open side lot at the Bouder Dam Casino. There is a beautiful 30-45 minute hike around the back side where views of the lake are stunning. Here you are mostly alone while you can see many people along the popular railroad route. Unless you want the longer hike towards the dam through the tunnels, this is a great way to get some fresh air and distancing. Mostly flat and and some shade depending on time of day. Enjoy.

Enjoyed the scenic Lakeshore drive from Highway 93 to Lake Mead Boulevard. Lots of flowers at southern end.

I have the annual pass for national parks so the 20 dollar fee i didnt have to pay. drove around the park and went to the marina. great whole day affair. staff was accommodating. will have dinner at the marina tonight. and sleep at the campground.

There is swimming and boating and other recreational activities along Lake Mead, but my favorite is hiking the numerous trails along the scenic byway. This time it was White Owl Canyon. A cold and windy day that began rather uncomfortable, but first in the thickets of the lake's edge were thousands of waterfowl and other bird life-- ducks, geese, swans, and redwing black birds. Then across the old lake bed to the entrance to White Owl Canyon (It took three tries to find the correct canyon the explore). Once in the canyon, the wind was reduced to a light breeze. This was too early in the year to see any owls but the evidence of their occupancy was quite apparent. But the canyon itself was a marvel to see and explore. Easy trail of about a mile each way-- about an hour. Only tough part is the steep slope of loose rock at the very beginning/end.

The landscape with the color of the water make this natural wonder forever memorable. Plenty of furry creatures scurry everywhere you turn.

If you are in Vegas and have time, make it a point to get out to Lake Mead. It is a gorgeous site and well worth visiting.

The view on the top of the lookout was breathtaking! While there take the scenic drive around Lake Mead. It's so educational to see how much the Lake went down over the years. The long shuttered Lake Mead Marina is a true testament to what the Lake used to be and what it is now.

We stummbled across this on our way to Hoover dam. Payed $20 to get in but it was worth it! So beatiful! Lots of places to stop and take in the mountains and the lake! What you waiting for get there now!

I take my dog to this RECREATIONAL park ar least once a week to go swimming. Certain areas allow dogs off leash which is great for dogs who are swimming. Regulars in the area know to clean up afterwards. Coyotes occasionally in area. Enjoyable early morning. However garbage is a serious problem particularly on the weekends.

Really enjoyed driving through the National recreation area and see the beautiful landscape and also the lake .

Need a break form the glitz and the noise of Las Vegas - take a day trip out of town. A wonderful place to visit is the Lake Mead area. Located about an hours drive form downtown Las Vegas this is a wonderful place to enjoy the scenery, the quiet and the wonderful landscape. Wonderful hiking trails - both long and short. Stop for lunch at the Marina. A most enjoyable visit and drive - especially when driving a convertible.

We went there for a picnic and break from busy Las Vegas. It was great- we had a swim in the almost surreal, moonlike area. Actually, it was so unbelievably hot we hesitated getting out of the water again.

It is a nice drive from Las Vegas to Lake Mead. And once you are there the scenery is nice too but $20 I think is a bit pricey to get into the area.

We were planning to rent kayaks and explore the lake while paddling along the shore. It was quite windy day so kayaking was not allowed. We decided to rent a motorboat, water-skis, and a sea-doo, and we had a great time! The water is so perfect that you can swim all day, especially when it's 100+ F. The next day we went to Willow Beach, but the water was freezing cold! It is crystal clear, beautiful surrounding, but unfortunately too cold.

Lake Mead NRA is a lot of fun to visit when the weather is nice. Sometimes it can be very windy, hot/cold, so it's best to be prepared when visiting. This is a very large park and the lake extends for many miles within it. There's tons of places to go picnicking, hiking, etc., as well as a number of water activities.

Be prepared to spend time here, it may even take more than one trip to visit all the locations you're interested in. Lake Mead itself has a few marinas where you can have lunch and rent watercraft. There's places like the Bowl of Fire that are a bit away from the lake, which are also very excellent places to visit.

I personally enjoy the outdoor desert environment and visit Lake Mead NRA regularly. The water is excellent in the summer, a bit too chilly in the winter.

After visiting Hoover Dam, we planned to go on a Lake Mead Cruise. When we showed up 15 minutes before the noon sailing we were informed that there were no other passengers and they wouldn't send the boat out with less than 20. New plan (since we had already paid $25 to get into the Lake Mead NRA) was to drive up Lakeshore Road to 167 to Valley of Fire state park. What a ride!! There was to much to see and absorb that our eyes felt drunk. So many different colors and landscapes that we had trouble taking it all in. We even found a legit oasis in the desert! We truly enjoyed the 1:15 drive to Valley of Fire.

My colleague and I had a free day during our recent visit for a trade show in Vegas and went for a drive to Lake Mead. It is worth the visit to see the scenery and just to appreciate how large it is although much smaller than it was. The $20 entry fee is a bit high but don't let this deter you.

Nice place to spend the afternoon with the kids, but the lake is beautiful around to drive and explore.

I suggest research the many hikes here online. Owl Canyon, Railroad Tunnels, Calville Summit, The Bluffs, Wetlands Trail and more. There is a nice cafe ON the water at Las Vegas Bay Marina. A nice shaded with GRASS picnic area at Calville Bay. The three marina offers all kinds of water craft rentals too.

There are many fun things to do in this recreation area. Enjoy the water, enjoy the land, enjoy the Hoover dam. The lake and the river south of the lake are great fun. Rent kayaks, take a motorized boat trip, or fish on the Colorado River. Hike in the spring or fall. Be very careful of hikes in the summer. There is little to no shade in this National park. Bring plenty of water and food.

We live in Henderson, NV and take visitors up through Lake Mead National Rec Area 4 or 5 times a year (usually heading towards Valley of Fire). Best way is to buy the annual car pass for $45. Only good for one vehicle, but much easier than trying to find $30 in your wallet every time you drive out that way.

Amazing vistas in this area.... from the lake itself to wild horses (see pic) to amazing bright red rocks. Very few people visit this area - so often you are all by yourself.

Important note...no gas stations in the park. Fill up before you drive in.

I enjoyed the lunch cruise on the lake. We ventured behind the Hoover Dam and back around. It was serene and relaxing.

Great place to go with the family and enjoy the great view of the lake. Great place to take photos. Its clean and has free parking.

This National Recreation area is a short distance before the Hoover Dam exit. The entrance fee is $20 for 7 day access. We visited the RV/campground, the beach and several of the Scenic overlooks. These views may be more impressive than the Dam itself. You cannot see the dam from this park. We spent a couple hours driving around and exited to Lake Las Vegas on the other side for lunch, about 12 miles. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for pictures and use the convenient restroom facilities. Make sure you have plenty of gas and something to drink. Have fun.

There’s a whole lot of nothing between Lake Las Vegas and Hoover Dam but there are several scenic overlooks that give you a good opportunity to see the lake and nearby mountains. It is a barren desert scene!

Decided to take a scenic drive around Lake Mead since I have a NPS pass. Not much to see. The water levels were extremely low. Stopped at a couple of the overlooks. Again, not much to see. It just made me wish I had visited the lake before levels hit an all time low. Did not have time to hike plus it was over 100 degrees that day.

Go early to avoid the crowds. Beach areas are limited. People are pigs with the amount of garbage they leave behind and the Recreational Area management should be embarrassed. However, water was calm. Found a private area to take my lab fir his weekly dip. Pics are a sad lab not wanting to leave.

We weren't able to visit the shoreline as we didn't want to purchase a $45.00 annual pass but we were able to view the section of the lake close to Boulder City, NV from several different vantage points.

After touring the dam we saw a sign for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There was a small visitor center with some activities for kids. There was a marina and a fishing area. We drove around and stopped at the lake to get out and look around. Great views of the lake.

The view from the view point above Hoover Dam shows the effects of the drought Nevada is experiencing. The water table is 100 below high water level. The white bleached substrate used to be under water

If you ever in Las Vegas try to visit this wonderful place LAKE MEADE is Magical
It's worth the drive we truly had lots of fun Exploring this beautiful place ❤

Make sure you have your National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. Wow, $80.00 is worth it! Things get a little Crazy here in Las Vegas, but you can relax at the lake. Great activity for a day trip and you can cookout or bring some food. The beach is nice and you can get some sun. A paddle board would be advised for enjoying the lake. Not dried up and open for business.

Spend the $20 bucks just to drive around the lake. Drive back to Las Vegas after the sun has set via Lake Mead Blvd. As soon as you see the lights pull off to the side of the road and check out the amazing lights of Vegas! Drive down a little more and pull off again, words cannot describe how beautiful the view is. The only better view of the lights is by aircraft. Lots side trips and walks in the desert all over the recreation area. The Lake and the park are well maintained and the kids will enjoy the outdoors. Don't worry about them walking to far, because you can see for miles, they'll get tired before the disappear from your view. Bring binoculars, because the wildlife keeps it distance from areas where man frequents. Take a walk, sit and watch and you'll be rewarded well. Metal detecting on the beach is fun and you'l never know what you might find. There are many little places to wander and check out away from other people if you are looking for seclusion or privacy. If your with a group and want to have a party there are plenty of places to meet and get loud without bothering anyone else. Wish we had a boat to travel around on the lake and check out some of the rock out cropping in the lake. I really wanted to jump off some them, but luckily I did not have a boat. Maybe next year we'll rent a jet ski and zoom around the lake by water. Even being land-locked we found lots to do. Someone told us about a place where fossils (Trilobites) are, we did not find any but it was fun to look. Would have made a great souvenir of our trip. We'll be back next year when the weather is warmer or when the desert is blooming.

We found this awesome National Park right outside Lake Las Vegas area. Glad we already had a annual park pass so it was free enter. Without a pass it cost $20. During the weekend the lines get very long. Durning the week it was perfect. We found the earlier the better! A annual pass cost $80 and allows you unlimited access to any National Park! There are many different picture perfect pull offs as well as camping and natural RV sites! The road leads you to the Hoover Dam entrance too! We sought out many roads that lead you right down to the Lake! The park has many places to hike along with restrooms! You can visit many times and always see something new and exciting! Thank you to all the smog Lake Mead National Park that made all our visits a great one!

A beautiful natural park. Breathtaking scenery and the closer you get to the shore piles of trash - broken glass, bottles, cans, diapers, you name it. I was shocked as the lakes in Michigan are prized and kept pretty clean. I didn't take photos of the trash.

Wish I could give no stars. We called first thing this morning they had a boat available. We have the lady our information said we be an hour away she said no problem we’ll have something available. Coming into the marina their signage was awful. Las Vegas rentals is where the motor boats are and lake mead rental and the non motorized. We went to the lake mead rentals as that’s who we called to be turned away. If it was just the next parking lot not a problem but it little takes 5 min between each building. So of course when we got to where we going they didn’t have any boats. No one took credit from taking out information and now we have 2.5 hours lost with no return. I would never recommend due to their horrible customer service, lack of signage that makes it confusing for anyone who hasn’t been here.

We were heading to Valley of Fire from Hoover Dam and ended up on this scenic road. You do have to pay to drive the road $25 per car, so be prepared. We didn't know we were going to be on this road, so we were caught by surprise. I took a point off because the lady at the entrance was rude to us. There were literally no cars around us, and she scolded us like children for not going to the correct line. I'm so sorry for holding up the non-existent cars everywhere! Anyway, despite that the road is very beautiful and it was worth the price of admission to drive it. There are places to pull off and take pictures as well.

Be aware that gas stations are scarce. We almost ran out of gas and had to go out of our way to find a station. When we did, it was $6 a gallon! Also, stop at the visitor centers for information and souvenirs. I'm so glad we drove this road. It was so beautiful

It was amazing and the water's crashing against the waves are beautiful it really shows amazing places for artist and photographers

We had loads of fun here! The water was a perfect temperature, and the pontoon we rented worked out perfectly for us! This is a super nice place to take out a boat and enjoy with your family or a few families together.

Had a great time here , we hired a speed boat as well as the pontoon , take a cooler and drinks , we were there for half a day and loved it . Worth checking availability as they get very busy ( you also have to watch a ten minute video before signing the boat out )

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area includes all of man-made Lake Mead, which is 112 miles long and contains 247 miles of surface area, as well as the smaller Lake Mohave, reservoirs on the Colorado River created by Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, and the surrounding desert terrain and wilderness. Formation of Lake Mead began in 1935, less than a year before Hoover Dam was completed. It is located about 24 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Lake Mead NRA features boating, swimming, sun-bathing, water-skiing, fishing, 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 are a major attraction for visitors within the recreation area. There are nine wilderness areas within the Lake Mead NRA. For visitors, there also are over 1,300 archaeological sites, 23 historic structures, eight properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 900 plant species and 500 animal species. It is a boating and fishing paradise. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave offer some of the country's best sport fishing with plenty of largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, rainbow trout, channel catfish and bluegill to entice anglers. It is the fifth most visited national park in the United States.

Stopped to picnic on our way back to Vegas. Very pretty but no shade or picnic shelters. We enjoyed the view but didn't stay long. It would not have been worth the $20 entrance fee but it was free with our parks pass.

America’s largest reservoir (by its water capacity), Lake Mead (米德湖), was created with the construction of the Hoover Dam. The lake and surrounding area was named Boulder Dam Recreation Area in 1936. It provides water to Arizona, California and Nevada. In 1947, Boulder Dam Recreation Area was renamed to Lake Mead National Recreation Area after Dr. Elwood Mead, former chairman of the Bureau of Reclamation. In 1964, the area was expanded to include Lake Mohave with its surrounding area and the surrounding desert terrain and wilderness which became the first National Recreation Area to be designated as such by the U.S. Congress. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located about 40.2 km (25 mi) from Las Vegas.

We went to Lake Mead National Recreation Area (米德湖國家遊樂區) after visiting the Hoover Dam. We didn’t get on the US39 but followed the Hoover Dam Access Rd (NV-175) and went to the Lake Mead - Lakeview Overlook. From here we saw the marina and the lake from the south shore. The next was the Alan Bible Visitor Center (Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitor Center) which was built in 1966. Alan Bible Visitor Center received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver rating; it is an exceptional award for a historic building. Because it is defined as a recreation area, you can hike, boat, cycle, camp and fish in this diverse national recreation area. The 0.6 million Hectare (1.5 million acres) recreation area consists of Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, mountains, canyons, valleys and desert. When we entered the recreation area following the Lakeshore Rd heading north, we stopped at the Boulder Beach and saw lots of people enjoying their time just like we normally see on the seaside beaches. The only difference is the beach is full of stones instead of sand. The next stop was the Sunset View Scenic Overlook, but we didn’t wait to see the sunset. We spotted a group who brought chairs and sat under the sun, enjoying the moment. We also stopped at the Cliffs View Point, Callville Bay Resort & Marina for a cold drink, and 33 Hole Picnic Area. One unique landscape we noticed was the red-brown color Redstone. It has the color like the ones we saw in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Because the area is in Nevada, bring lots of water with you even if you just drive through. Sneakers are needed if you are planning to get off your car and hike. Sunscreen is highly recommended when visiting the Lake Mead NRA.

I loved seeing and learning about the lake including the water stain on the rocks from the "near overflow" in 1983. Super cool stuff!

Wonderful place but a bit difficult to navigate; we had to ask others for information but we did not have a map!

The NRA campground was a good stop although the comfort station could have benefited from a little TLC. But it was quiet and restful.
We thoroughly enjoyed Hoover dam. Took the tour and checked out the visitor center. Found some good eateries in Boulder City.
It was a short drive to the Strip in Las Vegas.

North Shore Road. This is a great way to get out of Vegas if you are heading north toward Utah. It adds a little more time but beats the traffic and is much prettier than the interstate. The are plenty of places to stop and some great hiking areas are on this route as well. There is a toll but if you have a national park pass you can use it to travel the highway.

stopped to check this area out and saw some amazing views! There is a sign that says Lake mead look out and if you miss it you will be missing out on stunning views. We almost ignored it and kept going but glad we turned around to check it out. The parking area is very small so it can be hard to find parking.

We were recommended to spend the day on a boat away from the Madness of Las Vegas and we are so glad we did. check the Boating Lake Mead web site and check on the boats you want and then call ahead to book or make sure that the one you want is available. We went for a large pontoon boat for 5 of us with plenty of space to lounge about. Tasia was very efficient booking us in and after a short Video Anthony showed us the boat and ran through the basics, emergency, where to go, where not to go etc. We were off, great way to see the Hoover Dam from a totally different perspective as well as enjoying the rugged beauty of Arizona/Nevada from the dwindling water source supplying Las Vegas and the surrounding area. the surreal tide mark 50 feet higher than the waters surface and the piers and buildings all look bizarre and are testament to the drop in water over the years.

We came to Lake Mead with the intention to hire a boat to do some water sports. After a small charge we drove down to the bay. Sadly they had stopped rentals due to a potential storm - there were no clouds in the sky! After that they recommended that we go down to the beach to have a swim. The beach isn’t anything stunning but it was cool to swim in the lake and have some fun.

Definitely worth a visit but just a shame we couldn’t hire a boat.

The place is beautiful. The lake, mountain ranges and the desert landscape are all spectacular. It a great place to relax and take in the beautiful scenery. It definitely is an awesome place to take landscape photos. This also would be a great place for a picnic, relaxing, or just taking in the scenery.

If a lake were put on the moon, it wold lok like Lake Mead. I suppose to the dessert dwellers of the West it must be a welcome oasis. Besides the water, it is a very drab place with lots of boat's anchored at huge docks. It was not worth a stop after visiting the Grand Canyon. Just skip it.

Go in the winter and spring before it gets warm, and the place becomes overwhelmed with tourists. The campgrounds are safe and well-maintained - flush toilets, drinking water, Internet access, electrical hookups, and a dump station - no showers unfortunately. Plenty of hiking, biking, and scenery - coyotes howl all night long, and occasionally pay visits to the campground. Truly a relaxing place - just gas up before you go, and take everything you need with you. Nearest grocery store is 5 miles away in Boulder City. Get an annual park pass and avoid the entrance fees.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is one of those places that many visitors and residents of the area often overlook. The recreation area offers many activities from a scenic drive, hiking, biking, boat or jet ski rentals, fishing or just going for a swim. Depending on where you enter, at the end of Lake Mead Parkway or Boulder City, it's still a short drive from Las Vegas and well worth the time.

We started this trip by entering through the Lake Mead Parkway entrance. As you enter the area, you may ask, "where is the lake." Don't worry, you aren't on the wrong road. It's about 11 miles to the marina, but along the way are many places where you can pull in and take some great photos. At some of the viewpoints you may see a trail leading to an overlook. Don't be afraid to venture a short distance from the parking lot as there are some really great views.

As you progress further towards the Marina, several of the view points have trails that lead down to the water. Before taking them, make sure that you have good shoes (hiking boots are a good option) and water. Though it may look easy, climbing back up a 150 foot elevation change in a quarter of a mile may be difficult for some. That said, as you progress further into the recreation area, the views are amazing.

Continue driving past the boat ramp to the beach. The beach area is a great place to swim, have a cook out or picnic or just take in the sun and scenery. I recommend wearing beach shoes (can be purchased at the Marina) as the beach is rocky. The water isn't too cold from about May to October, but some people swim there all year. Make sure that you leave the beach in better shape than when you arrived, by asking every person to find an item (can, bottle or other) and deposit it the bins provided next to the restrooms.

The next area is the Marina where you can grab a bite to eat, purchase beach or fishing items and even cold drinks. If you are more adventurous consider renting a Jet Ski or Ski Boat for the day. If you live a slower pace, you can rent a pontoon boat and tour the lake. The Marina has a lot to offer including hungry fish (you have to see it) and boat tours.

This is a really nice place to take the family for a day trip!

My daughter is a 4th grader and used the national parks initiative to provide free admission for all 4th graders across the country to any national state park. It was a wonderful amazing experience. It was awesome to see the beautiful surrounding mountains. It was also great to share the history of Lake Mead with my kids as an educational experience during spring break. It was cool to show the kids how different the landscape was so different from the eastern standard time zone. Browns and reds out West vs. the green grasses of Kentucky. Although the water was cold we stiff knee high in the water skipping rocks. It was so much fun. We will always remember this vacation.

It was great my friends and me had a good time

the landscape

is great for hiking!

I reccomend it to you!!

If you are going to be in the area, it's worth a trip to combine with visiting the Hoover Dam. It does have a steep admittance fee of $25 per car, but if you are local it's cheaper or have a national park pass, you can use that. Driving around, there are plenty of stopping points to take pictures and there are restrooms that are nice as well as picnic tables to enjoy a snack or picnic meal. There are also drop in points for boats as well as spots to swim and enjoy the water. Very nice man made lake for all to enjoy!

We took in the views of this man made lake from Hoover Dam and then stopped at one of the overlook points on the way back to Vegas which are free. We will go back one day to experience the lake for itself. We didn't realize you can rent a boat to swim and fish. If you are visiting Hoover Dam it's worth a trip to combine with visiting the Lake. It does have a rather high admittance fee of $25 per car. It is cheaper for locals or if you have a national park pass. There are plenty of overlook points to stoop and take pictures. There are also nice restrooms and picnic tables. I can imagine having a very nice picnic there. This is a beautiful place to relieve some stress and have some fun!

Lake is beautiful. Highly recommended the Lake Mead Paddlewheel Cruise. Beautiful sites and neat view of the Dam.

Went to Lake Mead for bird watching, which was good. Saw lots of different water birds as the various lookouts. Lake seems very low and the beaches are not what I would expeect, just large gravel, like a forest service back country road. Did not see the trash like some other reviewers had reported, but several areas could use a little sprucing up or trear down. We have a pass so the cost was not an issue, but if I did not have a pass I don't think I would have visited.

Took a drive along the road through Lake Meade and the scenery is beautiful. Found 2 hot springs where you could actually get into the spring, the area is laced with palm trees and other plantlife. Many picnic areas to choose from, some beach areas. We took the dogs and they went in the water, we walked around, and had a picnic lunch. a very nice get away from the strip.

We have friends that live here. It is always a blast to get out on the lake. For boating and swimming it can't be beat. I hope the water level can return to normal.

Took the Leak Mead Cruise
Just beautiful with view of the Hoover dam
Lunch was served as well
Friendly staff
Informative narration of the history of the lake

Gorgeous turquoise water lake in the middle of Nevada Desert. It would help if you have an all-wheel drive type of car, or else, you have to walk/small hike to get to the water. Go in the morning is better befor the heat from sun tortures you.

Drove through Lake Mead national Park to get to Valley of Fire State Park.

Lake Mead Park was a nice, curvy drive. Saw lots of motorcycles. Be sure to bring your Access Pass if you have one. A whole carload gets in free.

Valley of Fire was pretty with all the red rock formations. We did not see the sparkly rocks that have had comments. Maybe because we went mid-day. Stop at the Visitor's Center for good displays. We came up from the south, and did the self-check fee payment at the entrance.

Overall, looping out of Las Vegas, going through Lake Mead Park, driving through Valley of Fire, and heading back to Vegas via I-15, was a very nice 3-4 hr experience.

We love going to Lake Mead. The hikes are great. We also love swimming at Echo Bay. We also rent a boat on Calville Bay. The marina is great, the staff is accommodating. We once had a road runner run past us. If you get a chance to go to this Recreational area, make time to go boating. It's very neat to experience the bathtub ring up close.

We traveled outside of Vegas to Lake Mead in the hundred and ten degree weather: good day for a kayak trip. Lake Mead recreation area was beautiful. There is a fee to get into the facility and another fee to rent kayaks. We thought the kayaks were of the cheaper variety and easily tipped. And embarking onto the kayaks was difficult, especially since the oppressive heat warmed up the concrete to uncomfortable levels. This made it problematic getting into and out of the kayak. After we rented the kayak it was terribly easy to lose our way when it came to looking for markers to direct us back to the rental office. This was unnerving after a long trip on a hot day. The attendants were friendly and it was safe though.

My husband and I cycled from our hotel to Hoover Dam via the bike trails through Lake Mead. Both of us were impressed with the good quality trails amongst stunning scenery. The reservoir is a stark blue contrast to the sandy desert landscape. Very enjoyable day out!

I come here often. I live nearby so it's sort of my neighborhood park. Lots to see and do here, including the lake at Boulder Beach, Hoover Dam, Northshore Road, the 36-mile River Mountains loop hike/bike trail, and several marinas. If you're looking for a more dispersed, nomadic type winter/early spring camping experience try Echo Bay or Stewart's Point up by Overton. This is the area where the Virgin begins it's flow into the Colorado as they join up and head on down toward Yuma and Mexico. But if you camp in this area, come self-contained. Although Overton does have a small supermarket, you'll need to be staying near Boulder City or Henderson for full services. Right now, boat access is probably better at Echo Bay than at Stewart's Point.

We went to Hoover Dam and then lunched in Boulder City. We did not want to head back to Las Vegas on the freeway, so we cut through the area around Lake Mead. We did have to pay to go through the park - I think it was $20. But, we stopped several times to take photos and enjoy a snack...just a very relaxing way to return to LV. However, it is amazing how low the water is. You can tell where the "normal" water line is and the water is still extremely pretty.
The lake was very quiet the day we were there - very little boat activity.

From hiking to biking, beautiful scenic views.. Even to do aquatic sports, this is a perfect place to go. Half an hour from Las Vegas.. This multifunctional place offer everything you need to have fun either for a day or few your choice 🏞🏕

Hired a boat for 2 hours. Great way to pass the afternoon, great views of the bridge over the Hoover Dam.

We drove through the park on a Harley. Beautiful views of the shore line and several homes. Amazing views of the lake.

One of the most tranquil and clean places I've ever seen. There is also a pretty interesting visitor center that has some cool stuff in it and a reasonable priced gift shop. A great place to take some scenic photographs.

Loved this trip to Lake Mead .The views were stunning .Was the biggest man made lake at one time in the World.This lake is next door to the Hoover Dam so I recommend you visit both.

Each year we explore more areas of Lake Mead Recreation Area. We were not overly impressed with Willow Beach. Situated below Hoover Dam the winding road down the canyon to the river is picturesque. The hot temperature climbed as we descended.It is nice, but 'No Swimming' signs makes this NOT the beach that we expected. It is a marina. We did wade into a sharp gravel river bed with cold water despite the no swimming signs. There is a nice souvenir shop and restaurant with limited hours of operation. If you have a canoe, Kayak, or boat, then this is a great spot to launch. Not ideal for kids, except in the boat. with adults. Make sure to explore the north half of his wonderful park, (above Hoover Dam) unless boating down river.

This was my first visit to Lake Mead NRA. I am not a boater but it was still a fabulous trip. The lake is scenic but the surrounding areas to hike, drive to and visit are spectacular. The first day we did the south shore including a boat tour of the lake and visit to Hoover Dam. the second day was the north shore including many hiking areas. Valley of Fire state park, accessible from the east entrance through the NRA, is beyond spectacular. This is my 4th visit to Valley of Fire but first from the east entrance. Always lots to see. A definite recommend for seeing something in the Las Vegas area with redeeming value:)

We having been taking a car trip every two or three years through the area since the 80's. It is sad to see the water level continue to go down in the lake. Today we took our dog swimming to Boulder Beach. WHAT A TRASH DUMP. There was garbage, soda bottles, two grills, old broken flip flops, beer cans and a very nice Ozark 4 person tent strewn about the beach. A big disappointment for a Federal Recreation area.

This beautiful lake surrounded by the Nevada mountains is the main source for the Hoover dam and is great to combine when you visit the dam. The lake, with a surface of 690km2, offers boat tours, but we decided just to enjoy the landscape views. Beautiful

Expansive National Park and Recreation area very close to Las Vegas with rugged hiking opportunities but also lots of choices for boating and car touring. You can visit Hoover Dam by auto or take a 7 mile round trip hike from the visitor center through the railroad tunnels remaining from the dam construction days. Bring your own boat or rent one on the lake. The water level is way down, but not out! You'll find camp grounds, shore fishing and neat overlooks. There are restaurants at the marinas.Lodging is nearby, including one casino hotel on an overlook near the bridge. Drive both the Lakeshore and Northshore roads for scenic views as well as pullouts near unmaintained hiking trails. Ask at the Visitor Center for trail information. Remember to cross the bridge into Arizona for river access and the roads both to Temple Bar and Arizona Hot Springs. The road to Grand Canyon West is not far south of there. Also, head up toward the startling Valley of Fire (an extra fee) or the flooded town of St. Thomas, now showing since the lake level has receded dramatically. If you do go to St. Thomas, use the on-line guide to locate the home and shop sites. Afterwards, maybe stop at Rogers Spring for a picnic. Remember, sometimes this is the hottest place in the world. Be careful.

We love Lake Mead! The water is warmer than the river (although not near as clear) and we enjoy boating and fishing. Holidays are extremely busy and chaotic but regular weekends or weekdays are perfect for family outings!

Informative paddlewheel ride on Lake Mead with Lake Mead Cruises. It is a lovely way to enjoy Lake Mead. The narrated trip was 90 minutes with great vistas of the lake, the mountains and Hoover Dam. Food service was available for a fee. The food was very good at a very reasonable price. There is also a nice gift shop to stop in where you purchase your tickets.

Located outside the city of Las Vegas: this is a visitor center maintained by the National Park Service. It tells you all about the development and history of Lake Mead, and also shows the type of plant and animal life that lives there. It has quite a few photos and historical items on display. Worth a stop if this type of thing interest you.

Beautiful lake with nice blue water. Unfortunately the water level isn't what it supposed to be which causes some issues at the Hoover Dam which is relying on Lake Mead for its water supply.

We drove through this area to get to the Hoover Dam. What a surprise. Multiple places to pull off, get out of the car and enjoy the scenery. You can't see this type of landscape from the interstate! The route is 9 miles. There are docks, campgrounds and picnic areas. We even saw a zebra tailed lizard at one of the pull off spots.

In visiting the Hoover Dam, I was also able to see Lake Mead, which was very pretty and relaxing and surrounded by great scenery.

The first thing you think, well it's two really a lake in the desert and is that blue real. Our friends Mike and Bekr took us to the Lake for a nice drive around and a quick walk around. I live 10 minutes away from Lake Erie, oh how green with envy is Erie of the Blue of Lake Mead. If you get a chance take the time.

This is a nice way to spend a day away from Las Vegas, beautiful views and the possibility to swim or sail. The Park has small cafes to get a bite to eat

We passed this place on the way to Hoover Dam and decided to stop and take a few pictures. Whilst being unable to comment on any of the trips that people complain about we spent a pleasant half hour admiring the views and taking pictures. It was free to park.

On our way, We drove to Las Vegas from Phoebix, Scottsdale, and Sedona, we stopped by the Hoover Dam and we were lined up to enter the fate, and discovered this Lake Overview on Left, and decided to stop by on our way back when we are done with the hoover dam. the Lake Mead view is stunning. Must See. look @ the pucture and judge it yourself,

Drove to Lake Mead after visiting the Hoover Dam. They are very close to each other
and Lake Mead is well worth seeing. Beautiful contrast between the blue water and multi-colored mountains that surround the lake. There is a beach area and the water is warm, but the rocks make it a tough walk to the water. A marina with a restaurant and bar is located down the waterfront from the beach area. There is a charge to enter the park area, but the National Parks Pass gets you in for free.

Just completed the historic railroad trail at Lake Mead Recreational area outside of Boulder City. Great day for a hike. We started the hike just down the road from the lake mead visitor centre. It took us an hour and a half at a decent pace. We turned around at the warehouse but could have gone further onto the Hoover Dam. The walk itself was easy as the surface was very wide, even and compacted. You could traverse this trail with a bicycle, stroller and probably even a motorized wheelchair as well. There are no dangerous areas. Lovely scenery. Noisy helicopters overhead from time to time, but certainly a much quieter and nicer pace compared to Las Vegas for my liking anyway.

The entire recreation area would take a book. But as far as stopping by the visitor center, skip it and head straight to the Hoover Dam visitor center and reclamation visitor center at the dam. There is nothing in the Lake Mead visitor center, conveniently located just off the highway near the dam, that isn't covered somewhere else. You do get a nice overview of the lake and the attendants are helpful with information about the area, so that plus the bathrooms and water might be enough to stop.

With a 107 degrees Fahrenheit we needed a place to cool off. Had to pay $20 for a 7 days pass witch was fine, but for that fee we expected a small path or something that would take us from the shore into the water without cutting our feet. A lot of rocks and large pebbles so bring shoes you can use in water.

Nice Scenic area. Very pretty place to visit. About 30 minutes from Las Vegas. Must see if in the area.

If going to visit Hoover Dam, visit HD first (as long lines form during the day), then visit Lake Mead. $20 car entrance fee and map given for free. We took the well signposted roads to view the receding Lake Mead. It is scary to see how the road to the marina ends abruptly as the water levels of the lake have dropped, see my photos. We did not travel on the rocky sandy soil to visit the marina as we were not covered by our car insurance for off road, we would have liked to eat lunch there. We continued our scenic trip pulling in at the many scenic view areas with car parking. It was a very enjoyable tour. Bring lots of water as it is desertlike.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area has so much to offer. Despite the water levels dropping daily people still flock to the lake for boating, swimming and fishing. Lake Mead suffers from a decades long drought in the southwest. Who knows if it will ever return to it higher water levels.

Beautiful recreation area. It is too bad to see the lake so low. Both paved and dirt roads. Large area covered….beaches, marina, restaurant.

My wife and I visited Lake Mead NRA several times on our recent trip as we were staying in nearby Lake Las Vegas. We drove down Lakeshore Road and enjoyed the magnificent views. There are several overlooks with Sunset Overlook being one of the best. There are many hiking trails. We only had time for one: The Historic Railroad Trail Which starts at the visitor center in Boulder City. We used our national park pass which is the best deal by far. Some areas don’t require a fee so don’t let the fee keep you from visiting. This is a must-see when in the area!

When all you need is some peace and a beautiful place to stay with your family, such comfort is found at this place. In hopes to plan a trip soon to return. =)

Short on time, we didn't get to experience much of the area outside the visitor center. We did learn that Lake Mead is the nation's largest reservoir by water volume. The U.S. Congress formally designated Lake Mead NRA as the nation's first national recreation area on Oct. 8, 1964. It was once known as the Boulder Dam Recreation Area, but renamed to Lake Mead NRA in 1947. The main attraction at this NRA is Lake Mead with water sports, boating, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming as popular activities.

Beautiful turquoise lake against the rock formations. If you think you will be traveling this way again and will wait until later…. Water level has lowered and exposed previously submerged structures, beaches dwindling, marinas shifting, and projected in 10 years there will not be enough water to pass through the generators for electricity and pumping stations will be installed to remove the water from the pond. So if you want to see the Colorado River while it still exists and the lake, go now. I’ve enjoyed the first glimpses of the beautiful lake for a long time, have lots of photos and memories. Gather some memories of your own- now.

The Lake Mead national recreation area is so large that you are able to pull off at the visitor’s center or anywhere for that matter and take amazing photos and take an amazing views. You can go down to the beach area for a modest fee if you would like.

This is a great National Recreation Area that is kept well maintained by the Park Service. There is a couple great points to view it. The overlook just before Hoover Dam is completely free. The Park entrance is an NPS Fee Area in order to get to the marina and beaches. Do not expect these beaches or the surf to be soft sand - bring your water shoes if you are going in the water as the bottom is very rocky. We started at the Visitor Center with the Jr Ranger Program learned about the manmade site. The rest of the afternoon we planned a Kayak rental that would drop us nearby the marina. The day was gorgeous but a little windy.

It’s less than an hour, only a short distance from Las Vegas by car. Good scenery and good place for a picnic when the weather isn’t so hot or windy. Good place for walking and cycling too.

We took cruise on steam paddle boat. Takes you to dam from lake side. Lake is large enuf to cover state of Pennsylvania at 1 foot depth
Find a place at the bow under a speaker so you can hear the commentary. Good and drinks available. Triple A 10% discount.
Hang onto your hate during windy season. Placards at ticket desk will advise.

Large reservoir (Hoover Dam...) whose water level has unfortunately dropped alarmingly low in the past 40 years (too much water is taken from the Colorado River up to this point / dry years). Opportunities for many water sports activities (motorboat, jet ski, sailing, swimming, fishing etc.). Scenic lake in the desert environment.

Water and desert all in one. The sights were breathtaking, the weather is hot and dry, and there is not a lot of people. The price is $20 and you can walk just about anywhere, as long as you don't damage the landscape!

The Las Vegas Triathlon was held here on October 1st. The recreation area is excellent for swimming, biking and running. The lake is comfortable for swimming. Great bike lanes and running paths. Fun to visit and play without doing a triathlon.

I would call this an oasis in the desert with the abundance of palm trees at the spring. Although some websites say it’s a hot spring, the average temperature is 85 degrees making it more of a warm spring. Hence, the abundance of fishes. I have seen a warning on a website about not entering the spring due to the amoebas in the water. Enter at your own risk. No one entered the spring when we were there. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area though.

Had the most perfect time with family at that lake just hanging out, stand up fun lots of talking snaking and getting a break from the heat - the water is so clear and refreshing!! Worthy to try the experience. Take with you lots of water, floating chairs and snack - have fun :))

The Lake Mead NRA allows to access Hoover Dam as well as the lake itself through numerous marinas. The northshore road is the most scenic part as it gives beautiful view on the lake as well as on the surrounding mountains.

Below Lake Meade lies a desert canyon beach called Willow Beach. It's south on the highway to Kingman, AZ watch for it on the west side of the highway. Great fishing as a National Fish Hatchery is located upstream. COLD WATER! Lots of wildlife!

Coming from the Las Vegas side and before you go past the security checkpoint, you will see a turn on your left. Parking is free. Great views.

I toured this on a bus tour. It was all part of the Hoover Dam Bus Tour. We made several stops such as overlooking the lake from numerous places around the National Recreation area. It was beautiful from all angles. One of the areas we stopped offered hiking trails where the old railroad existed for the purpose of building the Hoover Dam. This trail included a small tunnel as well. The Lake Mead overlook here is very memorable. Below you will be able to view a large marina. There were quite a few site seers in this location.

Redstone trailhead at Lake Mead National Park! I stood in awe as my eyes couldn't believe the beauty they were privileged to see!!! When I tell you that this experience is breathtaking KNOW that you will be amazed. The history is fascinating and you will be captivated by all the formations. Be prepared as time will seem to slip away quickly...

We own a boat and dock at Lake Cumberland, KY. We have never seen a clearer or cleaner looking marina than this one. Another chance to use our permanent pass in a national recreation area. Great views and a must stop if you haven’t. We drove through the entire area. Doesn’t take too much time, but well worth it.

Beautiful sight! No shade and nowhere to fill up water. Bring sunblock and drinking water. Saw a lot of campers. Water is chilly and beach is rocky but a beautiful sight to be seen.

Lake Mead is a gorgeous area formed by the Hoover dam. We took the time to walk around and spent time on the river boat ride which is conveniently located near the entrance. Suggest bringing your camera and taking the boat ride as it provides a view of the Black canyon and the water side of Hoover dam you cannot get any other way.

The Lakeview Overlook is a short drive off the route to the Hoover Dam (about a 40-minute drive from Las Vegas) and worth the quick detour. There is a parking area plus some information signs about Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. The views of the lake are very impressive.

The national park center is well kept and clean. Staff is friendly and helpful. The 20 minute movie is enjoyable and the displays are informative.

We stopped at Lake mead on our road trip to Vegas to Page, AZ. Be mindful that you will have to pay a fee ($20?) to enter the recreational area! We did not know this but went in anyway, totally worth it. :)

We visited Valley of Fire State Park and decided to drive back to Las Vegas via Lake Mead Natl Recreation Area, rather than return via the same route on the Interstate Hwy. It is a nice drive, but we were surprised at the $25 fee, even though we were just driving through.

You can hike the railroad tunnels to Hoover Dam (just over 3 miles each way), then spend the day roaming the dam either independently or with a tour.

Took the scenic paddle boat ride out on Lake Mead to Dam. It was beautiful and fun to see from a different angle. Highly recommend it.

A stop at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitor Center off 93 is worth the time whether or not you plan to spend time in or on the Lake.

We drove through the park on the way to the Valley of Fire. What fabulous scenic drive we thoroughly enjoyed it! Quiet roads and beautiful scenic overlook. Amazing vistas.

We drove the Recreational Area on our way from the Valley of Fire State Park to Hoover Dam as it seemed like a good idea. The trip was slow and the scenery was not all that special. I suspect we would have had a better time if we were to have stopped and made use of the lake shore or the water. For us it was a 50mph drive. Through country similar to what we have seen before.

The Allan Bible Visitor Center does an incredible job of educating the public regarding how water is provided for most of the southwestern United States- through film, presentations, print. Love the idea that they sell jewelry from " post-consumer paperboard" as well as the habitat demonstration at the front of the building.

This hike is where the railroad was built to carry supplies and equipment to build Hoover Dam in the early 1930's. It is right along side Lake Mead. You can walk all the way to Hoover Dam but there and back is over 7 miles. We stopped just short of the Dam because we planned on visiting it on another day.

Formation of Lake Mead began in 1935, less than a year before Hoover Dam was completed. The area surrounding Lake Mead was established as the Boulder Dam Recreation Area in 1936. 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.

There's a lot of water sports, but we stuck to hiking. Stop by the Visitors Center and get a description of the hiking opportunities.

We try to avoid Interstates as we travel around the west, and so opted for a detour into the Lake Mead Recreation Area while traveling from Henderson to St George. It's truly frightening to see how low Lake Mead is ... hard to gauge how low below the "bathtub ring" the water is. But leaving the lake behind, and driving north, the scenery is astonishing. Rock cliffs, red rocks galore and amazing geological movements. Hard to take it all in. Echo Bay is pretty abandoned, but the drive through Overton is a nice look into early Mormon pioneer settlements.

We did not plan on this but GPS took us thru Lake Mead Recreation Area on our way to Hoover Dam. It was a gorgeous short cut! We had to buy a week pass ($20) but used it 2 more times that week. Our 2nd trip was on route to Valley of Fire State Park. We then decided to rent a boat and explore Lake Mead. So glad GPS took us on this shortcut.

Lake Mead is a beautiful site to see. Park was neat and clean,Trails for walking. Cafe on the lake. Absolutely Gorgeous

Driving around this area, one is stopping and starting at the various scenic spots. You can swim or stop for a picnic and just keep moving to take in all the varied areas. The colours, the blue waters, all make for some beaut pictures.

When leaving Hoover Dam, there is a turnoff to the right to go to the Lake Mead overlook. Spectacular view, with not many people present. We visited the overlook around 11:30 am on a Sunday. Don't miss this area!

Great drive along Lake Mead while heading back to Las Vegas. The water level is rising but still low. Plenty of areas to stop for pictures or picnic.
The day we went it was very hot but the water was very blue & relaxing.

We spent time at the beach and my 8 year old son loved playing with the rocks. We really enjoyed the scenery. We started a hike on the Historic Railroad Trail, but didn't have enough time for more than 2 miles round trip. We plan to start from the Hoover Dam side when we visit there tomorrow. Amazing views and a must see before it disappears!

You know when you go on any type of vacation there's got to be one age group that gets cranky. Well lake Mead quells that issue.
Even your cranky teenager will say " cool this is really nice" so on your way to the #grandcanyon stop ( eat lunch dinner - bathroom) they will be appreciative.

I can’t imagine going to Vegas or Hoover dam, and not stopping to see Lake Mead and the recreational area. The view is amazing the water is crystal clear. Lots of hiking trails, so wear very comfortable shoes, bring lots of water, sunscreen and a hat

I would give 4.5/5. Area was very clean and orderly. Staff was friendly. Went mid March so temperatures were nice in the day and cool in the evening

After swinging by Hoover Dam, check out Lake Mead. There is a picnic area with clean bathrooms, and grills (in case you want to barbecue). Beautiful and scenic.

Flew over this lake in our grand canyon helicopter tour. An artificial lake formed by the hoover dam and it’s the largest reservoir in the US, wow

Was staying in Vegas for a few days and wanted to get out and see the beauty in the area. Drove to Mead Lake on the way to Hoover Dam and it was gorgeous to say the least. There is a $20 entry fee. It was 107 degrees or hotter, so really too hot to do much and we were not prepared to swim or get in the water. We got some beautiful pictures. When we arrived at the toll booth, the man working the booth seemed bothered we were there, spoke in a non welcoming tone, and my friends and I all noted he needed some lessons in customer service. There were no issues, he was just rude. Maybe it was because we wanted to use a card and guess we had driven in the wrong lane. We had cash, so we paid with no problem, but all I can say is I love National parks, love Natural park people, and he didn't seem to like his job or people very much. Maybe he was just hot.

Stopped by on our way to Las Vegas, so we didn't hike any trails. The water level was really low. It has some lovely views from the back of the visitor's center. Remember your mask if entering the visitor's center. It was not crowded when we stopped by so was able to really enjoy the views and get another of my passport stamps.

This is one of the most beautiful drives you will ever take. Sure it takes a little longer to bypass Las Vegas and go through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but you will love it. Go south (yes) out of the LV Airport, then head to Lake Mead in Henderson. You go by Lake Mead and follow it for quite a while. Then head to Overton and out back to 15N going through the Valley of Fire. 15 N will take you to Mesquite (go to Lees and Smith's to stock up on wine and beer) then to St George.

If you would like to know from where water supply for four states coming from - you have to visit Lake Mead. We did this tour as a part of visit to Hoover dam and we got really good info from our tour guide. It is really magnificent how big it is and how gorgeous it is - even in a cold December day!

This needs to be seen while it's still there to be seen, as it's drying up rapidly. It's close to Las Vegas.
Climate change deniers?