America's first national recreation area surrounds Lake Mead, the massive reservoir created by Hoover Dam, stretching across the Nevada-Arizona border. The reservoir offers exceptional boating, swimming, kayaking, and scuba diving in desert surroundings. Bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and bald eagles can be spotted along the rugged shoreline.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses 1.5 million acres straddling the Nevada-Arizona border southeast of Las Vegas, surrounding Lake Mead and Lake Mohave — two reservoirs on the Colorado River that together form the largest reservoir system in the United States by capacity. Lake Mead alone, when at full capacity, holds enough water to cover the state of Pennsylvania to a depth of one foot, though prolonged drought over recent decades has significantly reduced water levels and exposed previously submerged geology including ancient shorelines and, most dramatically, the ruins of the town of St. Thomas, a settlement flooded in 1938 during the filling of Lake Mead and now periodically re-exposed as water levels fluctuate. The recreation area's most popular and accessible area is Boulder Beach, located just east of Boulder City along Lakeshore Road, where a wide sandy beach, picnic facilities, and a boat launch make it the primary swimming and sunbathing destination for Las Vegas residents. The Callville Bay and Echo Bay marinas on the Nevada side offer boat rental, houseboat rentals, and guided fishing trips. Scuba diving within the recreation area is notable: the submerged former Nevada town and other underwater features attract divers year-round. Desert wildlife including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and Gila woodpeckers inhabit the rocky shoreline, and bald eagles winter along the Colorado River arm of the reservoir. The Alan Bible Visitor Center near Boulder Beach provides exhibits on the area's natural and cultural history, trail maps, and current lake condition information. The park pass is $25 per vehicle for a 7-day period and is included with the America the Beautiful annual pass.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; Visitor Center 9AM-4:30PM
- Best time
- morning
- Best for
- water sports enthusiasts, families, anglers, divers
Location
601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005
36.1625, -114.7675 View on map
Highlights
- Boulder Beach — the most accessible Nevada swimming area, 25 miles from Las Vegas
- Ruins of St. Thomas — a Nevada town submerged in 1938 now periodically exposed as lake levels drop
- Scuba diving at unique desert underwater sites on the Nevada-Arizona border
- Boat rentals and houseboat rentals at Callville Bay and Echo Bay marinas
- Desert bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and Gila woodpeckers along the rocky Nevada shoreline
Tips for visiting
- Boulder Beach is the most accessible swimming area
- Dive or snorkel the sunken SS Nevada for an underwater adventure
- Fishing permits required — check NV and AZ regulations
When to visit
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) for the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor recreation; summer water temperatures are excellent for swimming but air temperatures routinely exceed 110°F by midday, making morning activity essential. Early morning wildlife viewing along the Nevada shoreline is most productive year-round.
Accessibility
Boulder Beach and the Alan Bible Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible with paved parking and pathways. Most boat launch ramps have accessible parking. Lakeshore Road and Northshore Road provide accessible vehicle access to multiple viewpoints; some areas require navigating loose desert gravel on unpaved paths. Accessible restrooms are available at all major developed recreation areas.
Frequently asked questions
What water activities are available at Lake Mead?
Lake Mead offers boating, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and scuba diving. Boat and kayak rentals are available at Callville Bay Marina on the Nevada side. Swimming is best at Boulder Beach. Fishing requires a valid Nevada or Arizona license depending on which side of the state line visitors are fishing.
Do I need a park pass to enter Lake Mead National Recreation Area?
Yes — a $25 per vehicle 7-day pass is required to enter all developed recreation areas within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The pass covers both Nevada and Arizona sides. The America the Beautiful annual interagency pass is accepted and covers entry for the full year at all participating federal recreation sites.
Can visitors see the submerged town of St. Thomas?
The ruins of St. Thomas, a Nevada settlement flooded in 1938, are visible by foot from the Northshore Road area when lake levels are sufficiently low; access conditions vary by year depending on reservoir water levels. The remains of concrete foundations, walls, and a bathtub have been exposed during extended drought periods. Check current conditions at the visitor center.