Nevada Lake Mead
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) offers a wealth of things to do and places to go year-round. With 1.5 million acres, it is twice the size of Rhode Island. Its huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Three of America's four desert ecosystems--the Mojave, the Great Basin and the Sonoran Deserts--meet in Lake Mead NRA. As a result, this seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world.Seasons & Hours
This huge man-made lake south of Las Vegas is scenic and jammed with water recreation to cool you off
Where to Stay
Hotels/Motels
There are hotels and motels in Boulder City, Henderson, Laughlin, Bullhead City and Las Vegas See map above for locations of cities. Click on the city above for. (Rates, availability and reservation online)
Boulder City, Nevada: the administrative offices for Lake Mead Recreation Area and NPS Headquarters for Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are located here at the gateway to Lake Mead. The only community in Nevada that restricts gambling, Boulder City has all services, frequent art shows and other activities in its many parks. Many of our user have stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Boulder City.
Bullhead City, Arizona: this growing, sprawling city follows the Arizona shoreline of the Colorado River, part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Bullhead City offers the closest, most complete services available for those enjoying Katherine Landing and the developed coves in the area. Click here for hotel information.
Henderson, Nevada: one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Henderson was once a factory town. Now sporting casinos, clean industry and a growing population in planned neighborhoods, Henderson offers all amenities to visitors. Click here for hotel information.
Laughlin, Nevada: with modern casinos towering along the western banks of the Colorado River, Laughlin is complimented by its sister city, Bullhead, Arizona on the eastern bank.
Las Vegas, Nevada: a city of nearly half a million people known for its reputation as an entertainment capital. Legal gambling, world-class plays, musicals and other productions as well as family theme parks
abound in this modern mecca of indoor fun.
Camping
For camping, lodging and other information on Lake Mead National Recreation Area, call 702 293-8990 between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, seven days a week.
Map - Lake Mead National Recreation Area with Campgrounds
(Black and White; pdf; 424 kb)
Map - Lake Mead National Recreation Area with Campgrounds
(Color; pdf; 790 kb)
Lake Mead Visitor Center is located on Nevada 166 (Lakeshore Road) just off U.S.Route 93.
Katherine Ranger Station on Lake Mohave is located on the Katherine Access Road off Arizona Route 68 by Davis Dam.
Camping is a year-round activity at Lake Mead NRA. A variety of camping experiences awaits visitors to Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA). Whether you seek the comforts of home in a recreational vehicle (RV) or the solitude of a primitive camp in the desert, you can find it here.
Reservations are accepted only for group campsites. Individual sites are all on a first-come, first-served basis. No backcountry permits are needed.
Lake Mead Campgrounds
National Park Service campgrounds are located at a number of locations. All campgrounds offer restrooms, running wafer, dump stations, grills, tables, and some shade. RVs, trailers and tents are welcome.
Boulder Beach
Open All Year
Boulder Basin area. 154 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach (702) 293-2540
Callville Bay
Open All Year
Boulder Basin area. 80 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners. Callville Bay Resort (702) 565-8958
Echo Bay
Open All Year
Overton Arm area. 166 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Echo Bay Resort (702) 394-4000
Las Vegas Bay
Open All Year
Boulder Basin area. 89 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Temple Bar
Open All Year
East Lake Mead area. 153 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Temple Bar (928) 767-3211
Lake Mohave Campgrounds
Cottonwood Cove
Click here for PDF Map.
Open All Year
Lake Mohave area. 145 sites, 30 day limit
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners. Cottonwood Cove Resort (702) 297-1464
Katherine's Landing
Click here for PDF Map.
Open All Year
Lake Mohave area. 173 sites, 30 day limit.
Map of the campground
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage). Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine Landing (928) 754-3245
General Camping Information
Fees - Campground fees are $10 per site ($5.00 with Golden Age and Golden Access passes) and are payable immediately upon occupying a campsite. Fees are posted at the entrance to the campground. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations. Check-out time is noon.
Group Camping - Group campsites (30 person maximum per site) are located at the Boulder Campground. Camping fees are posted at the campground kiosk. Reservations are required. Please call (702) 293-8906, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The group campground is for tent camping only with limited vehicle parking. Group campground accommodations include: a common area restroom, picnic tables, fire pit and limited shaded areas.
Single site Camping - Site capacity maximum is eight persons, four tents and two motorized vehicles (e.g., one camping unit and a towed vehicle) per site. Four motorcycles may occupy a site. Motor vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas only and may not be driven onto the dirt, or across irrigation ditches.
Maximum Stay - Maximum stay within the recreation area is limited to 90 days within any consecutive 12-month period.
Quiet Hours - Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please do not create or sustain unreasonable noise, including generators, during those hours.
RV Sites with Full Hookups
Park concessioners provide RV sites with full hookups (electric, water and sewage) at Lake Mead RV Village (Boulder Beach), Callville Bay, Echo Bay, Overton Beach, Cottonwood Cove, Temple Bar, and Katherine Landing. Reservations may be made by contacting the concessioners.
Concession RV Sites with Hookups
Boulder Basin
Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach
(702) 293-2540
Callville Bay Resort
(702) 565-8958
Overton Arm
Echo Bay Resort
(702) 394-4000
East Lake Mead
Temple Bar
(928) 767-3211
Lake Mohave
Cottonwood Cove Resort
(702) 297-1464
Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine Landing
(928) 754-3245
Property Leaving - Property unattended for longer than 24 hours is prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Superintendent.
Backcountry Camping - Numerous areas can be reached by boat, car, backpacking, or horseback. Primitive camping, accessible by boat along the shoreline is permitted anywhere outside of developed areas or areas marked NO CAMPING. Camping is limited to a total of 90 days within any consecutive 12 month period. Unless otherwise specified, camping is limited to 15 days per visit at a specific backcountry area. After 15 days, campers must either move to another backcountry area or developed campground, or leave the park. When camping in the backcountry, always tell a friend or relative where you are going and when you plan to return. Include a description of your group and your vehicle. Backcountry maps are available on the Map Page.
Fires - The latest fire restrictions are available on the Press Releases page.
Vehicle Camping - Vehicle camping is permitted only in designated areas in the backcountry. Vehicles of all kinds, including four-wheel drives, motorcycles, and bicycles, must stay on designated roads. Off-road tire tracks last for years in this fragile desert. There is no off-road travel in the park. All motorized vehicles and their drivers must be properly licensed for highway travel. Obtain copies of the park's approved road maps at any ranger station or visitor center.
Water Use - Please wash dishes at your campsite and not at the water faucets. Do not drain contaminated water on the ground, use the service sink at the comfort station. Dump holding tanks at sanitary stations located at each campground. Except for filling storage tanks do not connect hoses to water faucets.
Pets - Pets must be kept at all times on a leash not to exceed 6-feet in length and should not be left unattended. There are many coyotes in the park. Barking dogs are considered a nuisance. Owners must remove them from the campground. Never leave your pet in a closed vehicle. Temperatures can soar to 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) in minutes. Your pet can quickly die of heat stroke in those conditions.
Wildlife - Please do not feed the wildlife! Wild Animals can become dependent on handouts of food and lose their fear of humans. This is dangerous for the wildlife and you. All plants, animals and natural features are protected in national parks.
Backpack/Horseback - Backpack or horseback camping is allowed throughout the park and along the lake shoreline except in developed areas, restricted or ecologically-sensitive areas, within 500 feet of any paved road or within 100 feet of any spring or watering device.
General Rules
• Do not attach wires, ropes, or nails to trees or shrubs.
• Digging, leveling, or other alterations of the ground is not permitted.
• Be aware of extreme summer heat when leaving children or pets in vehicles or trailers. Never leave them in a closed vehicle.
• Secure all valuables. Do not leave them in your campsite when you are not there, even for a short time.
Things To Do
Water Sports and Boating
With Lakes Mead and Mohave as the central focus, visitors to Lake Mead NRA can enjoy a variety of water recreation activities in a setting of rugged mountains, desert washes, sheer cliffs, colorful soils and rock formations, in addition to the ever-changing blues of the lakes.
Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country's best sport fishing. Largemouth bass, striped bass, rainbow trout, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill are found in both lakes.
Boating of all kinds is popular within Lake Mead NRA. Water-skiing is a favorite activity on the broad expanses of open water, along with kayaking and canoeing. Increasing numbers of sailboats and sailboards are seen because of the dependable desert winds, and personal watercraft use is gaining popularity.
Of course, swimming is a major form of water recreation during summer months when lake temperatures warm into the 80-degree range. Both lakes are clear, clean and also ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. No lifeguards are present. Never swim alone. For more on boating and rental information click here
Swimming - Please be aware that there are no life guards or designated swim beaches at Lakes Mead or Mohave. Always wear a life jacket. Most fatalities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area could have been avoided if the person in the water was wearing a life jacket. Keep a very close eye on children and choose areas to wade where there isn’t any boat traffic. Distances are deceiving at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and most coves are too big to swim across. Know your limits. Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas.
Swim at your own risk.
Scenic Drives/Auto Tours - Several paved roads wind through the dramatic desert scenery of Lake Mead country. Towering stark mountains, plateaus, desert basins of cactuses and creosote bush, and vertical-walled canyons are some of the sights motorists can discover.
One popular tour follows the Lakeshore and Northshore Scenic Drives along the edge of Lake Mead. From these roads there are panoramic views of the blue lake set against a backdrop of the browns, blacks, red and grays of the desert mountains.
Northshore Scenic Drive also leads through areas of brilliant red boulders and rock formations. Driving off designated roads is not permitted.
heck on road conditions before traveling these routes. Take water for yourself and your vehicle and tools for emergency repairs. Drive only on paved roads or unpaved roads signed with yellow arrows.
Wildflowers in the spring - check out our wildflower update.
Photography - The spectacular rugged scenery at Lake Mead NRA is perfect for scenic photography. The best time to shoot is in early morning or early evening when the shadows and contrasts are more pronounced. The winter skies, spring flowers, summer recreation and fall clarity make for year-round photographic opportunities. Remember to always lock up you equipment out of sight in your vehicle. In the summertime, cars and trunks can get too hot for equipment to be stored for very long.
Picnicking - There are shaded picnic areas located throughout the park. Please be sure to clean up all of your litter and keep our park clean. Picnicking is also welcome on all the beaches but you may want to bring your own shade. Shaded picnic areas with tables, water, fire grills, and restrooms are located at . . .
* Callville Bay
* Las Vegas Bay
* Boulder Beach
* Cottonwood Cove (Lake Mohave)
* Katherine (Lake Mohave)
There are also picnic areas along Northshore Road, including one at Rogers Spring; these do not have drinking water.
Photography
The spectacular rugged scenery at Lake Mead NRA is perfect for scenic photography. The best time to shoot is in early morning or early evening when the shadows and contrasts are more pronounced. The winter skies, spring flowers, summer recreation and fall clarity make for year-round photographic opportunities. Remember to always lock up you equipment out of sight in your vehicle. In the summertime, cars and trunks can get too hot for equipment to be stored for very long.
