Cottonwood Cove

Cottonwood Cove is a sand-and-gravel lake beach on Lake Mohave, in the southern part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, near the town of Searchlight. The address is Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina, 10000 Cottonwood Cove Rd, about 75 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) south of the Las Vegas Strip. The route runs south on US-95 to Searchlight, then 14 miles east on SR 164 (Cottonwood Cove Rd). The beach has a designated, roped swimming area in a sheltered cove, with clear water set against dark desert mountains. It is quieter than the Boulder Basin beaches, partly because of the longer drive, and draws weekend campers, anglers, boaters and jet-ski users. Facilities include the designated swimming beach, boat and personal watercraft rentals, a store, a campground and restrooms. There are no lifeguards mentioned on site, so swimmers should stay within the roped area and supervise children closely. The atmosphere is casual and lake-recreation oriented rather than resort-like, and the marina area can be busy with boats on summer weekends while the swimming cove stays relatively calm. The best season runs from May through October, when air and water temperatures suit swimming; summer afternoons are very hot, with little natural shade. Access is by car only; there is no public transit and rideshare is impractical for the distance. Lake Mead National Recreation Area charges $25 per vehicle, valid for seven days and paid cashlessly, or $15 per person on foot or bike. Because the marina store is the main supply point, visitors often bring their own food, water and sun protection. The National Park Service line is 702-293-8990, and checking current lake levels and conditions before the long drive is sensible.