About Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
Admits a private non-commercial vehicle for 1-7 days.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Admits a single individual walking/bicycling for 1-7 days.
Admits vehicles at the per person rate for groups using vehicles for 12 or more people. The $15 cost is per person ages 16+, not to exceed the flat rate paid commercial tours for same type of vehicle.
Admits education/academic groups as long as a fee waiver form is filled out and approved.
Admits a sedan of 1-6 people.
Admits a van of 7-16 persons.
Admits a mini-bus of 16-25 persons.
Admits a motor coach of 26+ persons.
Operating 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.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
This pass admits the passholder only into Lake Mead National Recreation Area AND NOT other federal lands. The interagency passes allow access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Admits passholder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle. In cases where per person fees are charged, pass is valid for the passholder + 3 adults.1 year from month of purchase. Good through 1 year from month of purchase.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Hike the Lone Palm Trail
This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River at…
Drinking water is available at the nearby Lake Mead Visitor Center.
Hike the White Rock Canyon Trail
Follow this meandering canyon down as it compresses and loosens until it finally opens to reveal the mighty Colorado River.
Drinking water is not available at the trailhead.
Hike the Goldstrike Canyon Trail
This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River and…
Drinking water is available at the nearby Lake Mead Visitor Center.
Hike the Arizona Hot Springs Trail
Arizona Hot Spring trail is strenuous and can be combined to make a loop going down a 20-foot ladder to…
Drinking water is not available at the trailhead.
Hike the Liberty Bell Arch Trail
While there is no river access on this trail, hikers are rewarded throughout their adventure with geological highlights, remnants of…
Drinking water is not available at the trailhead.
Hike the Lake View Trail
Lakeview hiking trail allows visitors to explore the beautiful mountainous landscape and the desert flora and fauna including creosote, brittle…
Drinking water is available at the nearby Katherine Landing contact station or at a concessions operated facility.
Visitor Centers
Lake Mead Headquarters Information Kiosk
An information kiosk is located inside Lake Mead's Headquarters building.
Hours: Open Monday-Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays.
Lake Mead Visitor Center
Before you start your adventure, stop by the Lake Mead Visitor Center. Whether you have one hour or one week, rangers and volunteers will help…
Hours: Before you start your adventure, stop by the Lake Mead Visitor Center. Whether you have one hour or one week, rangers and volunteers will help you plan an unforgettable trip. In addition to grabbing maps and brochures, you can get your National Park passport stamp or become a junior ranger.
Campgrounds
Boulder Beach Campground
The Boulder Beach Campground is located just minutes from Las Vegas along the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. It’s open year-round and features large paved…
Boulder Beach Group Campground
When you stay at the Boulder Beach Group Campground, you’ll have access to many recreation opportunities. Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach and PWC…
Callville Bay Campground
When you stay at Callville Bay Campground, you can enjoy the area on land or on water. A nearby shaded picnic area has cool grass,…
Callville Bay RV Park
More than 550 miles of pristine shoreline. Soaring red rock cliffs. Countless bays and beaches. Get off the grid for the vacation of a lifetime…
Cottonwood Cove Campground
Cottonwood Campground is located near Searchlight, Nevada, along Lake Mohave. It’s open year-round and features paved sites that can accommodate tents or RVs, along with…
Cottonwood Cove RV Park
Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina at Lake Mohave is a premier destination for houseboat rentals, watercraft rentals, camping and includes a spacious rv park. We…
Echo Bay Campground
Our Echo Bay Park is a fisherman’s and boater’s paradise. Located on the north end of Lake Mead, this secluded park offers a variety of…
Echo Bay RV Park
Echo Bay Park is a fisherman’s and boater’s paradise. Located on the north end of Lake Mead, this secluded park offers a variety of outdoor…
Katherine Landing Campground
With views of the lake and within walking distance of the marina, swim beach, dining and retail store, campsites at Katherine Landing feature a wide…
Katherine Landing RV Park
The Katherine Landing RV campsites come complete with water, sewer and electrical hook-ups. All spaces have the option of household current, 30 amp, or 50…
Lake Mead RV Village
Lake Mead's Boulder Beach area offers many things to see and do. Whether you’d rather go sightseeing, tour Hoover Dam, go shopping, visit historic Boulder…
Las Vegas Bay Campground
Las Vegas Bay Campground is located just minutes from Las Vegas on the western edge of the park and has lush vegetation that shades nearly…
Temple Bar Campground
Enjoy the Temple Bar area by land or water. Hike through the desert along the Temple View Trail to observe the crystal blue waters of…
Temple Bar RV Park
Just 75 miles away from Las Vegas, Temple Bar Marina is located in the Temple Basin on the Arizona side of eastern Lake Mead. It’s…
Willow Beach Campground
Willow Beach Campground offers 9 tent campground sites and is located just 30 minutes from Boulder City and 45 minutes from the Las Vegas strip.…
Willow Beach RV Park
Willow Beach RV Park is your full-service RV Park and tent campground located just 30 minutes from Boulder City and 45 minutes from the Las…
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