Lake Mead National Recreation Area is massive. With an area of nearly 1.5 million acres it is worth clicking through the tabs here to get oriented with the area a bit better. You'll get a better idea of the specific areas within Lake Mead National Recreation Area and which one better suits the vacation you're looking for.
Overview
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in northwest Arizona, incorporates an area of almost 1.5 million acres and includes many destinations. As the Colorado River exits the Grand Canyon it enters the huge Lake Mead. The river line through Lake Mead is about 70 miles until Hoover Dam. Once below Hoover Dam, it flows through canyons for some 45 miles before reaching Lake Mohave. The Lake Mead NRA boundary is at the south end of Lake Mohave at Davis Dam, just north of Bullhead City.
Alan Bible Visitor Center is 4 miles NE of Boulder City, NV off U.S. Highway 93, but there are ranger stations at most of the developed areas on both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
Lake Mead
| Lake Mead was formed with the completion of Hoover Dam in 1935. When completely full 6 1/2 years later Lake Mead had more than 550 miles of shoreline and nearly 250 square miles of surface area. Today with its close proximity to Las Vegas and endless supply of empty coves and beaches, it is a popular day or multi-day destination. Some of the more popular spots on the lake are these marina and launch areas: | ||
| Boulder Basin | ||
| Boulder Beach: Close to Alan Bible Visitor Center and Hoover Dam. Can get quite crowded at times. Developed camping, lodging and RV park. | ||
| Lake Mead Marina: 1/2 mile from Boulder Beach. Full service Marina w/ boat and personal watercraft rentals | ||
| Las Vegas Bay: Close to Las Vegas, developed camping, services, marina w/rentals. NO lodging | ||
| Callville Bay: 34 miles from Las Vegas' airport (McCarren) on the north shore. Full services, developed camping, boat rentals. NO lodging. | ||
| Overton Arm | ||
| Echo Bay: 58 miles from Las Vegas' airport (McCarren) on the western shore of the Overton Arm. Fully developed full service with lodging, houseboats, personal watercraft and boat rentals. Developed camping, motel and RV park. | ||
| Overton Beach: 70 miles from Las Vegas' airport (McCarren) on the western shore and far north on the Overton Arm. Only a RV park, NO camping or lodging. Full service marina w/ PWC rentals. | ||
| Temple Basin | ||
| Temple Bar: about 200 miles from either Phoenix or Flagstaff, on the Arizona shore in the southeast part of the lake. Fully developed with full services. Personal watercraft and boat rentals, developed camping, motel and RV park. NO houseboat rentals. | ||
| Gregg Basin | ||
| South Cove: 8 miles from Meadview, Arizona. Paved launch and parking only closest services and lodging are in Meadview. | ||
| Pierce Ferry: Also 8 miles from Meadview, but much further upstream on the lake. This is as far east on the lake as you can launch, and is often used as the take out point for Grand Canyon rafting trips. Dirt launch only, no services and primitive camping. This ramp has been temporarily closed for extended periods - call the visitor center for current status. | ||
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is located on Hwy 93 only 30 miles from Las Vegas' airport. It has a large modern visitor center with exhibits on the building of the dam. Tours are offered frequently to show the workings of the dam. Most interesting is a movie shown with the tours that documents the incredible work that went into constructing the dam. For more details, please select Hoover Dam.
Lake Mohave
| Lake Mohave is another major recreation destination in the Lake Mead NRA. The Colorado River from Hoover Dam to Davis Dam is 64 miles and is all accessible. The more remote northern areas take little more commitment to get to but offer quiet and solitude compared to the popular southern Davis Dam area. With nearby Bullhead City / Laughlin, NV, Lake Mohave is a popular year round destination. | ||
| Northern Access | ||
| Willow Beach: On the Arizona shore south of Hoover Dam off US Hwy 93. NO lodging or camping, Full Service Marine but NO Boat Rentals, Restaurant, C-Store, Launch, Ranger Station | ||
| Eldorado Canyon: No boat access | ||
| Cottonwood Cove: On the Nevada shore, east of Searchlight, NV on US Hwy 95. Motel, RV Park, Campground, Restaurant, C-Store, Full Service Marina, Boat and Houseboat Rentals, Launch, Ranger Station | ||
| Callville Bay: 34 miles from Las Vegas' airport (McCarren) on the north shore. Full services, developed camping, boat rentals. NO lodging. | ||
| Southern Access | ||
| Princess Cove: On the Arizona Shore north of Katherine Landing. Launch and Picnic Area Only. | ||
| Katherine Landing: On the Arizona shore north of Bullhead City. Motel, RV Park, Campground, Restaurant, C-Store, Full Service Marina, Boat and Houseboat Rentals, Launch, Ranger Station. | ||
