Lake Mead National Recreation Area
1.5 million acres of desert-highway country wrapped around America's largest reservoir — Hoover Dam, hot springs, and slot-canyon paddling.
Blue reservoir and desert cliffs at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
What to expect at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead sprawls behind Hoover Dam across the desert southeast of Vegas — 1.5 million acres of Mojave rimming what's still the largest reservoir in the US, even at historic-low water levels. Beyond the marinas it's a genuine wilderness of slot canyons, Colorado River hot springs and empty pull-outs where the Strip's glow disappears behind Fortification Hill. This is the classic Nevada open-desert-highway landscape.
Base yourself in Boulder City — the only Nevada town where gambling was banned during the dam's construction, now a whitewashed 1930s time capsule. Buy the $25 vehicle pass at the Alan Bible Visitor Center just off US-93, then drive the Lakeshore Scenic Drive (NV-167) north for empty coves and photo-perfect overlooks. Hoover Dam tours are separate ($15-30, book online) and worth the extra time.
Questions about Lake Mead National Recreation Area
$25 per vehicle for 7 days, $20 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike. Boaters pay an additional $25 launch fee.
Yes — four federal fee-free days: MLK Day, Great Outdoors Day (June), National Public Lands Day (September) and Veterans Day (November).
A full day covers the visitor center, Hoover Dam and one hike or beach stop. Add a second day if you want to paddle Black Canyon.
The park itself is open 24/7. The Alan Bible Visitor Center closes Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
No booking for park entry. Hoover Dam tours and Black Canyon kayak permits (recreation.gov) should be reserved 1-2 weeks ahead.
Boulder City, 4 miles from the main entrance on US-93. It's 25 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, about 35 minutes by car.
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