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Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Designation: National Recreation Area

Location: Arizona, Nevada

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Experience outdoor thrills, striking landscapes, and brilliant blue waters. This year-round recreation area spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast reservoirs. Visitors come here for scenic drives, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and much more.

🌤 Weather Information

Spring (April, May and June): Daytime highs 80 °F to 98 °F. Nighttime lows 50 °F to 66 °F Summer* (July, August and September): Daytime highs 89 °F to 103 °F (It can get up to 117 °F.) Fall (October, November and December): Daytime highs 59 °F to 83 °F. Nighttime lows 32 °F to 50 °F. Winter (January, February and March) Daytime highs 57 °F to 69 °F. Nighttime lows 30 °F to 40 °F. *Summer can be a dangerous time due to excessive heat. Some trails are closed for public safety.

🚗 Directions

By car you can drive to one of the park's many entrances. The six main entrances to Lake Mead are as follows: Northshore, Lake Mead Boulevard, Lake Mead Parkway, and Boulder, Temple Bar, and Meadview. For the southern sections of the park, near Lake Mohave, there are entrance stations at Willow Beach, Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove.

Images

sun rising on Black Canyon

Visit Black Canyon Water Trail for rafting or kayaking

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

picnic area at Redstone

There are many picnic areas at Lake Mead NRA

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

power boaters on Lake Mead

Boating is a popular activity at lakes Mead and Mohave

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

people on a tour operated craft exploring the lake.

There are many tour operators to provide you with an excellent visit to Lake Mead NRA.

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

A group of bighorn sheep overlooking Lake Mead.

With wilderness comes wildlife. Bighorn sheep can be spotted at most areas of the park.

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

sun rising on Black Canyon

Visit Black Canyon Water Trail for rafting or kayaking

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

picnic area at Redstone

There are many picnic areas at Lake Mead NRA

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

power boaters on Lake Mead

Boating is a popular activity at lakes Mead and Mohave

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

people on a tour operated craft exploring the lake.

There are many tour operators to provide you with an excellent visit to Lake Mead NRA.

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

A group of bighorn sheep overlooking Lake Mead.

With wilderness comes wildlife. Bighorn sheep can be spotted at most areas of the park.

Credit: NPS Photo/Andrew Cattoir

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday

All Day

Monday

All Day

Tuesday

All Day

Wednesday

All Day

Thursday

All Day

Friday

All Day

Saturday

All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

Admits a private non-commercial vehicle for 1-7 days.

$25.00

Entrance - Motorcycle

Admits a motorcycle for 1-7 days.

$20.00

Entrance - Per Person

Admits a single individual walking/bicycling for 1-7 days.

$15.00

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

Admits vehicles at the per person rate for groups using vehicles for 12 or more people. The $15 cost is per person ages 16+, not to exceed the flat rate paid commercial tours for same type of vehicle.

$15.00

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Admits education/academic groups as long as a fee waiver form is filled out and approved.

$0.00

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

Admits a sedan of 1-6 people.

$25.00

Commercial Entrance - Van

Admits a van of 7-16 persons.

$50.00

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

Admits a mini-bus of 16-25 persons.

$60.00

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

Admits a motor coach of 26+ persons.

$150.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

This pass admits the passholder only into Lake Mead National Recreation Area AND NOT other federal lands. The interagency passes allow access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Admits passholder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle. In cases where per person fees are charged, pass is valid for the passholder + 3 adults.1 year from month of purchase. Good through 1 year from month of purchase.

$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Friday, May 8

Sunny

High: 99°F | Low: 72.5°F

Humidity: 11%

Wind: 8.7 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 8.5

Sunrise: 05:38 AM

Sunset: 07:31 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (68%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 66.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, May 9

Sunny

High: 99.9°F | Low: 70.5°F

Humidity: 11%

Wind: 11.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 9.3

Sunrise: 05:37 AM

Sunset: 07:32 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (59%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 68.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, May 10

Sunny

High: 103°F | Low: 69.9°F

Humidity: 8%

Wind: 19.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 9.6

Sunrise: 05:36 AM

Sunset: 07:33 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (49%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 68.5°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Temporary trail closures begin May 8 due to extreme heat Park Closure

Starting Friday, May 8th, 2026, Goldstrike Hot Springs, Arizona Hot Springs, Liberty Bell Arch, White Rock Canyon, and Lone Palm trails are closed for visitor and first responder safety. Please check the website, social media, and weather for updates before visiting.

Willow Beach Road Repaving Is Complete Information

The Willow Beach Road has now been fully repaved and striped with no gravel sections. Drivers use caution as crews are finishing up grading the road shoulders during the week.

Bacteria Levels at Arizona Hot Springs Caution

Bacterial levels in water samples taken from Arizona Hot Springs exceed Local, State and National Park Service standards for recreational activity. Due to the increased human health risk, the National Park Service warns to avoid contact with these waters until further notice. Please contact the Park at 702-293-8990 for updates on this advisory.

Harmful Algae Blooms Have Reduced Along the Shoreline of Lake Mohave Caution

The hazardous algae blooms on Lake Mohave are finally diminishing thanks to cold winter temperatures. There is still some algae present, so the park continues to advise avoiding swimming or wading anywhere the bright green algae is floating on the water. Keep pets away from any of this water as well. For more information and photos click the ‘more’ link.

Roadwork Along Lakeshore Drive at the Alfred Smith Water Treatment Plant Caution

Starting February 9th, 2026, roadwork will begin on the east shoulder of Lakeshore Drive between the water treatment plant and the Lake Mead Fish Hatchery for the installation of a pipeline. Flaggers will be present during the project, but only minimal traffic delays are anticipated at times that traffic is restricted to one lane. The project is expected to be completed in a few months.

Trail Closures Due To Dangerous Heat Danger

Goldstrike/Arizona/Lone Palm Hot Springs, Liberty Bell Arch, and White Rock Canyon trails are closed under an active National Weather Service Extreme Heat Warning. Conditions are dangerous, with a high risk of heat illness. Respect all closures. If visiting, know that emergency response may be delayed if needed/required/requested. Carry extra water, avoid midday heat, and know your limits. Closures remain in effect until conditions improve. Goldstrike/Arizona/Lone Palm hot springs remain accessible by boat.

Government Wash Will Reopen Saturday, February 7th at 9 a.m. Park Closure

Government Wash will reopen on Saturday. The park removed long-term encampments and restored safety, environmental stability, and public access to Lake Mead. 51 defined campsites were created. Improvements were made to roads as well as canoe, kayak, and small boat access to the lake.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in Government Wash Danger

Bright green algae (cyanobacteria) floating on the water may contain toxins and is unsafe for swimming or contact. Children and pets are at higher risk if contaminated water is swallowed. Keep pets leashed and away from the water. Seek medical or veterinary care if symptoms occur after exposure. Click More for photos of the harmful algae as well as symptoms in humans or pets if exposed to the bacteria.

Park Events

Hubbell Trading Post Road Show

Browse beautiful, handcrafted Navajo rugs and fine silver jewelry, featuring turquoise and other gemstones, from the oldest continuously operating trading post in the American Southwest. Join Diné (Navajo) Trader Wallace James Jr at 10AM and 2PM daily for rug talks, and enjoy weaving demonstrations throughout each day from Diné weaver Tonita Yazzie.

For details, visit wnp.org/events.

Location: Lake Mead Visitor Center, 10 Lakeshore Road, Boulder City, NV 89005

Date: Apr 4, 2026 12:00am to Apr 5, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Jr. Ranger Day

Join us for Junior Ranger Day on April 25th from 9AM to 1PM at the Lake Mead Visitor Center, right off of the Highway 93 on Lakeshore road!

Kids of all ages can earn their Junior Ranger badges, take part in hands-on activities, and learn what it means to protect their public lands. Almost 30 activity booths will have lots for kids to do and learn.

This free event is open to all and no park entrance fee is required to attend if entering the park on Lakeshore Drive via Boulder City/Highway 93. An entrance fee is required (except for current park pass holders) to visit the rest of the park or if entering the park via Lake Mead Parkway.

Location: Lake Mead Visitor Center, 10 Lakeshore Road Boulder City, NV 89005

Date: Apr 25, 2026 12:00am to Apr 25, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
Lake Mead Visitor Center
10 Lakeshore Rd
Boulder City, NV 89005

🏤 Mailing Address:
601 Nevada Way
Boulder City, NV 89005

📞 Voice Phone: 7022938990

📞 Fax Phone: 7022938936

✉️ Email: LAKE_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact

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