Day Trip: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Location
- Nevada and Arizona; visitor center at 10 Lakeshore Rd, Boulder City, NV
- Entrance fee
- $25 per private vehicle (1-7 days); $15 per person on foot or bike
- Annual pass
- $45 Lake Mead annual pass; America the Beautiful passes accepted
- Payment
- Cashless since Jan 1, 2024; card payments only
- Hours
- Park open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Visitor center
- Daily 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
- Heat closures
- Six strenuous trails closed May 15-Sept 30 each year
- Entrances
- Northshore, Lake Mead Blvd, Lake Mead Pkwy, Boulder, Temple Bar, Meadview
About
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is run by the National Park Service. It covers 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons and valleys across Nevada and Arizona, and takes in two reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. The park counts more than 290 square miles of water surface.
The recreation area is open around the clock, every day of the year. Activities listed by the Park Service include motorized and non-motorized boating, rafting and kayaking on the Black Canyon Water Trail below Hoover Dam, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking. There are more than 900 camping and RV sites, and bighorn sheep live in most parts of the park.
Drought has reshaped the shoreline. The park says that as Lake Mead recedes, extending launch ramps gets harder and more expensive. Lake levels change regularly, so the park asks visitors to check its alerts and conditions page before a trip.
What to expect
The Park Service suggests starting at the Lake Mead Visitor Center on U.S. 93, a few miles north of Hoover Dam and just east of Boulder City. Rangers and volunteers help plan visits of an hour or a week. You can pick up maps, get a national park passport stamp or sign up as a junior ranger. The exhibit room has a large relief map of the whole park and shows the film "Life in the Desert."
Three easy, pet-friendly trails start at the visitor center, including a walk through its desert gardens with lake views. A short walk down the hill reaches the Historic Railroad Trail and the River Mountains Loop Trail, both suitable for bikes and strollers. The Railroad Trail runs through five tunnels. Hoover Dam is a few minutes south on U.S. 93.
Plan the trip
Good to know
- Bring a card. Entrance stations went cashless on January 1, 2024. Children under 16 enter free.
- From May 15 to September 30 the park closes the Goldstrike Canyon, White Rock Canyon, Arizona Hot Springs, Liberty Arch, Lone Palm and Sugar Loaf trails. Extra closure days can be added when Willow Beach is forecast to hit 95°F.
- Boats need their own pass: $16 per day or $50 per year, half price with a Senior or Access pass.
- The park lists summer (July-September) daytime highs of 89°F to 103°F, with peaks up to 117°F.
- Monsoon rains from July to September can flood park roads and leave sharp rocks and deep mud. Take care at wash crossings.
- Visitor and recreation information: 702-293-8990. The headquarters information kiosk in Boulder City is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Questions about Lake Mead National Recreation Area
How much does it cost to enter Lake Mead?
A private vehicle pass costs $25 and is valid for 1 to 7 days. Motorcycles pay $20 for 7 days. Visitors aged 16 and up who walk or bike in pay $15 each, and children under 16 are free. A Lake Mead annual pass costs $45, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted. All fees are paid by card.
Is Lake Mead open at night?
Yes. The Park Service says the recreation area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Lake Mead Visitor Center keeps set hours, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, and closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The headquarters information kiosk in Boulder City is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Can I hike at Lake Mead in summer?
Some trails stay open. Each year the park closes six strenuous trails from May 15 to September 30, including Arizona Hot Springs and White Rock Canyon, to protect visitors and rescue staff from extreme heat. The Historic Railroad Trail and River Mountains Loop Trail stay open. Summer highs can reach 117°F, so walk early and carry water.
Can I combine Lake Mead with Hoover Dam?
Yes. The Lake Mead Visitor Center is a few miles north of Hoover Dam on U.S. 93. The dam is run by the Bureau of Reclamation, not the Park Service, and America the Beautiful passes are not accepted there. The dam's visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and the Nevada-side parking garage costs $10.
Can I launch a boat at Lake Mead?
Yes, but check conditions first. The park warns that lake levels change regularly, launching is at your own risk, and ramps can close temporarily for maintenance or construction. Expect longer waits to launch and recover your boat. Every vessel needs a pass, at $16 per day or $50 per year. The alerts page lists which ramps can be used.