Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Rate this placeNearby: Davis Camp Bullhead Community Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a popular destination in the state of Nevada, offering a variety of outdoor activities for visitors.
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Summary
The recreation area encompasses 1.5 million acres, including the largest reservoir in the United States, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.
One of the main reasons to visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area is to enjoy the many outdoor activities available. Visitors can go boating, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, and swimming, among other things. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and desert tortoises.
Some specific points of interest to see in the area include the Hoover Dam, which provides hydroelectric power to Nevada, Arizona, and California, and the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which offers stunning views of the dam and the Colorado River below. The Lake Mead Marina is another popular spot to visit, with boat rentals, restaurants, and a gift shop.
Interesting facts about the area include that Lake Mead was formed by the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s and is named after Elwood Mead, who was instrumental in developing water management systems in the western United States. The area is also home to several ghost towns, including St. Thomas, which was abandoned when the Hoover Dam was built.
The best time of year to visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild. Summers can be very hot, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter months can be chilly, but still offer opportunities for outdoor activities.
Overall, Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a must-visit destination in Nevada, offering a unique combination of outdoor recreation, history, and natural beauty.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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