National Recreation Area · NPS · AZ, NV
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Photo: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir, Black Canyon at Lake Mead NRA
Alerts and conditions
Caution Rocks and Sand on Park Roads from Recent Storms
While all park roads are currently open, Lake Mead crews continue to clean debris off roadways around the park. Expect small rocks in the roadway and sand at wash crossings. Many of the rocks are sharp and can puncture a tire. Motorcyclists take special care to avoid these hazards, especially areas of soft sand on pavement.
Caution Harmful Algae Bloom
Harmful Algae Blooms may be seen throughout Lake Mohave. To reduce health risks, the National Park Service recommends recreators limit body contact with these waters when algae is present. Please click here for pictures of this dangerous cyanobacteria and contact the Park at 702-293-8990 for updates on this advisory.
Caution River Mountains Loop Trail Covered by Flood Debris in Multiple Areas
Cyclists and hikers be aware that the trail is covered by sharp rocks and mud in many places. The trail is impassable at the north end along Lake Mead Parkway from mile marker 9 to 11 and has been closed. This closed portion is outside the park and managed by the City of Henderson. It is unknown when this section of trail will be cleared. Some sections have also been undercut so avoid standing near dropoffs that could give way.
Park Closure Government Wash and 8.0 Mile Road Anticipated Reopening
The Government Wash campground and 8.0 Mile Road are anticipated to reopen in late November to vehicle access and overnight camping. This alert will be updated once the reopening date has been set.
Overview
Experience outdoor thrills, striking landscapes, and brilliant blue waters. This year-round recreation area spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast reservoirs. Visitors come here for scenic drives, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and much more.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Motorized Boating
- Sailing
- Jet Skiing
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Food
- Dining
- Picnicking
- Flying
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
- Boat Tour
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting and Gathering
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Junior Ranger Program
- SCUBA Diving
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Freshwater Swimming
- Water Skiing
- Wildlife Watching
- Park Film
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Plan your visit
Hours
All Park Hours: Lake Mead National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that while the majority of the park is accessible at all hours, our Visitor Center operates on a specific schedule. Be sure to plan your visit accordingly, as the Visitor Center is open during designated hours to provide you with valuable information, maps, and assistance from our knowledgeable staff.
Fees and passes
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $25.00
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $20.00
- Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $15.00
- Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $25.00
- Commercial Entrance - Van — $50.00
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $60.00
- Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $150.00
- Annual Entrance - Park — $45.00
The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.
Getting there
By car you can drive to one of the park's many entrances. The six main entrances to Lake Mead are as follows: Northshore, Lake Mead Boulevard, Lake Mead Parkway, and Boulder, Temple Bar, and Meadview. For the southern sections of the park, near Lake Mohave, there are entrance stations at Willow Beach, Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove.
Visitor centers
- Lake Mead Visitor Center
- Lake Mead Headquarters Information Kiosk
Campgrounds
- Boulder Beach Campground (135 sites) — reserve
- Boulder Beach Group Campground (5 sites) — reserve
- Lake Mead RV Village (115 sites) — reserve
- Las Vegas Bay Campground (85 sites)
- Callville Bay Campground (52 sites) — reserve
- Callville Bay RV Park (5 sites)
- Willow Beach Campground (9 sites)
- Cottonwood Cove Campground (45 sites) — reserve
- Temple Bar Campground (71 sites)
- Echo Bay Campground (52 sites)
- Echo Bay RV Park (55 sites)
- Temple Bar RV Park (10 sites)
- Cottonwood Cove RV Park (72 sites)
- Willow Beach RV Park (28 sites)
- Katherine Landing Campground (173 sites)
- Katherine Landing RV Park (24 sites)
Weather
Spring (April, May and June): Daytime highs 80 °F to 98 °F. Nighttime lows 50 °F to 66 °F Summer* (July, August and September): Daytime highs 89 °F to 103 °F (It can get up to 117 °F.) Fall (October, November and December): Daytime highs 59 °F to 83 °F. Nighttime lows 32 °F to 50 °F. Winter (January, February and March) Daytime highs 57 °F to 69 °F. Nighttime lows 30 °F to 40 °F. *Summer can be a dangerous time due to excessive heat. Some trails are closed for public safety.
Phone: 7022938990
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Gold Butte National Monument BLM · 31 miles
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area BLM · 40 miles
- Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument NPS · 49 miles
- Avi Kwa Ame National Monument BLM · 49 miles
- Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 55 miles
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument NPS · 61 miles