It is situated in northwestern Arizona and southeastern Nevada. Thanks to the beautiful and diverse landforms, it has become a hotspot for campers, hikers, cycling enthusiasts, and recreation lovers.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers striking landscapes, two vast lakes, valleys, mountains, canyons, and brilliant blue waters. There are nine wilderness areas in this park. You can find solitude in any of them. You can soothe your eyes by looking at the Hoover Dam from Lake Mohave or Lake Mead. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is just a few minutes away from Las Vegas. Enjoy the brilliant display of the Milky Way in the night skies from this park.
Where is Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is spread across northwestern Arizona and southeastern Nevada. It starts from the Grand Canyon National Park’s westernmost boundary along the Colorado River corridor. Lake Mead NRA follows the passage to spread across the northern cities of Bullhead City (Arizona) and Laughlin (Nevada).
Places to Visit Near Lake Mead National Recreation Area
There are many attractions near Lake Mead National Recreation Area, including:
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
- Desert National Wildlife Refuge
- Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
- Valley of Fire State Park
- Springs Preserve
- Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
- Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
- City of Las Vegas Parks and Rec
- Clark County Parks and Rec
- City of North Las Vegas Parks and Rec
- Boulder City Parks and Rec
- City of Henderson Parks and Rec
- Castle Mountains National Monument
- Mojave National Preserve
- Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument
- Death Valley National Park
- Zion National Park
- Pipe Spring National Monument
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Manzanar National Historic Site
- Cesar E. Chavez National Monument
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Wupatki National Monument
- Great Basin National Park
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Channel Islands National Park
- Cabrillo National Monument
- Petrified Forest National Park
The cities and towns near Lake Mead National Recreation Area are:
- Boulder City (Nevada)
- Las Vegas (Nevada)
- Henderson (Nevada)
- Overton (Nevada)
- Bullhead City (Arizona)
Things to Do at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Exploring the Backcountry
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing and Kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Scenic Driving
- Scuba Diving
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Hiking
There are many hiking trails in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. You have to gain elevation ranging from 0 m (0 ft) to 1703 m (5,587.27 ft).
Best Hikes in Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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Historic Railroad Trail
The Historic Railroad Trail is a famous trail that consists of 5 tunnels that take you to Hoover Dam. It is a broad and flat gravel trail that makes you scale 445 ft (136 m). This 7.5 mi (12 km) long round trip is popular among hikers, walkers with pets, joggers, and bikers. Enjoy this hike at the end of the day. Get enthralled by the panoramic views of the Boulder Basin during sunset.
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Arizona Hot Spring
Enjoy nature’s hot bath experience at Arizona Hot Spring. This 5.0 mi (8.1 km) round-trip requires climbing a 10 ft (3.05 m) ladder in a waterfall. It is a strenuous hike starting from White Rock Canyon trailhead near US Highway 93. Arizona Hot Spring remains closed from May 15 to September 30 every year.
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Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail
This trail is a 6 miles (9.7 km) long out-and-back trail near Nevada’s Boulder City. October to May is the best time to visit. Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail has come up as a popular area for hiking.
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Railroad Tunnel Trail
The Railroad Tunnel Trail is a beautiful trail to visit throughout the year. It has become a preferred hiking destination for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. This out-and-back trail of 8.2 miles (13.2 km) is easy to hike and will take you more than three hours to complete.
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Lovell Wash and Anniversary Narrows Trail
It is an out-and-back trail of 9.9 miles (15.9 km) near Nevada’s Boulder City. To complete this moderately challenging trail, you may need more than four hours. You can visit the Lovell Wash and Anniversary Narrows Trail for hiking any time of the year.
All Hiking Trails in Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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Lakeshore Area
- Historic Railroad Trail
- River Mountains Loop
- Owl Canyon
- Bluffs
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Northshore Area
- Wetlands
- Callville Summit
- Northshore Summit
- Redstone
- St. Thomas
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Lake Mohave
- Goldstrike Canyon
- Liberty Bell Arch
- White Rock Canyon
- Arizona Hot Spring
- Lake View
- Fisherman’s Trail
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Other Trails
- Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail
- Arizona (Ringbolt) Hot Springs through Arizona Hot Springs Upper Route Trail and White Rock Canyon
- Railroad Tunnel Trail
- White Owl Canyon through 33 Hole
- Liberty Bell Arch
- Lovell Wash and Anniversary Narrows
- Arizona (Ringbolt) Hot Springs through White Rock Canyon Trail
- Lone Palm
- Secret Canyon Trail
- Lake Mead Bluff Trail
- Lake Mead and Hoover Dam Walking Tour
- Fortification Hill
- Hoover Dam Bridge Bypass Trail
- Burro Wash OHV Trail
- Sunset View Trail
- Redstone Dune Loop Trail
- Bowl of Fire Trail through Bitter Spring Valley
- Boy Scout Hot Spring Trail
- Willow Beach to Emerald Cove (Black Mountain)
- Saddle Island through River Mountains Loop Trail
- Bowl of Fire
- Spooky Canyon
- Bowl of Fire from Northshore Road
- Riverwalk Exploration Trail
- Cottonwood Spring Trail
- Rogers Warm Spring
- Cleopatra Wash Trail
- Seven Falls Canyon
- The trail starts from Eagle Wash and takes you through Combination Mine Road, Aztech Wash, Aurora Wash, and Nelson Cutoff Road OHV Route.
- Eight Mile Road
- Las Vegas Bay Shoreline Trail
- Lava Butt/Rainbow Gardens
- Echo Wash OHV Trail
- Callville Trail
- Anniversary Narrows and Anniversary Peak Loop
- Bonelli Bay on Lake Mead
- Horse Thief Canyon Trail
- Great Scrambling Route to Lava Butte
- Saint Thomas to Overton Beach
- Callville Summit
- Boy Scout Canyon
- Cranes Nest Road Hike
- Rainbow Canyon and Giant Fin
- Mount Wilson through Black Joe Mine
- Las Vegas Wetlands Trail
- Boxcar Rock
- Old US 93
- Lake Mead through Black Mesa
- Black Mesa
- Blowing Beak
Facts About Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is spread across 1,495,806 acres (2,337.2 sq mi or 6,053.31 sq km).
- It was established as a national recreation area on October 13, 1936.
- Around 8,016,510 people visited Lake Mead National Recreation Area in 2020.
Best Time To Visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area
The fall season (especially October and November) is the best time to visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Visiting Hours of Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area remains open to visitors throughout the year. The Visitor Centre remains open seven days a week from 9 am to 4.30 pm.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Tickets Price
- Entrance Fees
- Annual Vehicle, Motorcycle or Individual (Valid for 1-year from the date of purchase): US$45
- Daily Vehicle (7 consecutive days): US$25 per Vehicle
- Daily Motorcycle (7 consecutive days): US$20
- Daily Individual (walking and cycling): US$15 (7 consecutive days)
- Vessel Fees
- Annual Vessel Sticker (1 calendar year):
- US$50 per Vessel
- US$25 Senior/Access
- Daily Vessel (7 straight days)
- US$16 per Vessel
- US$8 Senior/Access
- Annual Vessel Sticker (1 calendar year):
- Camping Fees
- Group Camping (per group/per night): US$80 (for a group of 12-30 people)
- Regular Camping (per site/per night):
- US$20 per site
- US$10 Senior/Access
- Lake Mead Annual Vehicle Pass: US$45
- Lake Mead Annual Vessel Pass: US$50
- Interagency Pass Program:
- Interagency Annual Pass: US$80
- Interagency US Military Pass: Free
- Interagency Annual Senior Pass: US$20
- Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass: US$80
- Interagency Access Pass: Free
- Interagency Volunteer Pass: Free
- Interagency Every Kid Outdoors Fourth Grade Pass: Free
US National Parks Map