Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead is a popular escape from the desert heat in the Las Vegas area, and along with Lake Mojave makes up the most visited part of the 1.5-million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Plan Around Lake Mead National Recreation Area
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Details
Lake Mead is a popular escape from the desert heat in the Las Vegas area, and along with Lake Mojave makes up the most visited part of the 1.5-million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The park sprawls across two states (southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona) and includes parts of the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran deserts. Lake Mead was formed when Hoover Dam was built, while Lake Mojave owes its existence to the Davis Dam; together, they flood 140 miles of the Colorado River. The lakes attract boaters, fisherman, swimmers and beachgoers; kayakers and canoeists flock to Black Canyon. The 87 percent of the park that is desert gets far fewer visitors; most are hikers who may see ancient petroglyphs, Joshua trees, and mountain lions in the backcountry. The Alan Bible Visitor Center has exhibits on desert flora and fauna, and life on the Colorado prior to the dams being built; the Railroad Hiking Trail, which passes through old railroad tunnels and offers both lake and desert views, begins here. The Hoover Dam has its own visitor center nearby.
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Open
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Nearby Parks Around Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Compare nearby parks around Lake Mead National Recreation Area when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Lake Mead National Recreation Area while the map context is still fresh.
51.6 mi away
Hualapai Skywalk
Skybridge reaches out 70 feet beyond the canyon.
53.4 mi away
Castle Mountain National Monument
Established in February 2016, Castle Mountains National Monument is 21,000 acres of desert and mountains -- an isolated land accessible only by dirt roads.
69.3 mi away
Cima Dome
This volcanic field in the middle of the Mojave National Preserve consists of 40 volcanic cones and 60 lava flows, creating and black and red landscape of rocky volcanic material.
72.6 mi away
Pahrump, Nevada
Pahrump, Nevada is the closest big town to Death Valley National Park for visitors heading to the park from Las Vegas.
76.9 mi away
Wild Horse Canyon Scenic Backcountry Byway
If you are visiting the East Mojave National Scenic Area, then you will want to take part of your day to explore this backcountry byway.
