Measuring 110-miles long, with a surface area of 274 square miles, the lake has more than 500-miles of
shore for the thousands who, each day, boat, swim, water ski, hike
and fish it. Click here for fee information.
Access off Interstate 15 in Nevada; U.S. Highways 93 and 95 in Nevada and Arizona. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located about 30 miles south of Las Vegas via U.S. Highway 93.
The Alan Bible Visitor Center near Boulder City offers information about the locations of the beaches, bays and marinas as well as the plant and animal life that flourish around the lake. The National Park Service, which oversees the entire Lake Mead National Recreation Area, also produces a comprehensive pamphlet about the lake that includes information about fishing, swimming, boating and other activities. The brochure includes a map showing the locations of the various beaches, marinas and picnic areas. Operation hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The lake and surrounding area boasts five developed beaches and marinas with campgrounds and other services, including Overton Beach, Echo Bay, Callville Bay, Las Vegas Bay,
Temple Bar and Boulder Beach.
Boating of all kinds and personal water craft use are popular within Lake Mead NRA. Waterskiing is a favorite activity on the broad expanses of
open water, along with kayaking and canoeing. Of course, swimming is a major form of water recreation during summer months when lake temperatures warm into the 80-degree range. No lifeguards are present.
Fishing enthusiasts can find some excellent sport fishing at Lake Mead, including varieties like largemouth bass, rainbow trout, striped bass, channel catfish, black crappie and bluegill.
Only a few designated trails exist in the park, allowing those with experience to go out and explore on their own with the help of
detailed maps and instructions to the most popular areas. The designated trails range from 0.5 to 1.25 miles. Short desert hikes
lead to places you will never see from a boat or car. One such place is the area of colorful sandstone formations near Redstone
Picnic Area along Northshore Road. Another is a canyon where Indian petroglyphs were carved in a rock wall hundreds of years ago.
For hiking at Lake Mead, click here. For other hiking information, see Hiking in Southern Nevada.
There area eight camping sites at Lake Mead - Boulder Beach, Hemenway, Las Vegas Bay, Katherine, Echo Bay, Callville Bay, Temple Bar
and Cottonwood Cove. There are also six RV campgrounds with hookups. For complete information on camping,
see Camping in Southern Nevada.
Paddlers can take two river trips -- one runs from Hoover Dam south through Black Canyon on Lake Mohave; the other
begins in upper Lake Mead and explores the western gorges of the Grand Canyon. For complete information, see River rafting.
