10 Best Things to Do at Lake Mead, Nevada (2025)

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Less than an hour outside Las Vegas is Lake Mead, a beautiful natural area where you can get a break from the activity of the Strip. If you find yourself itching for some time in nature and away from the crowds, a visit to a Lake Mead beach could be just the ticket! It’s one of the best things to do in Nevada.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area covers nearly 1.5 million acres of shorelines, piers, wilderness areas, and hiking trails. It also encompasses the entirety of Lake Mead, the reservoir created by the Hoover Dam.

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10 Best Things to Do at Lake Mead, Nevada

Visiting Lake Mead and its surrounding recreation area is one of the best things to do outside Las Vegas, so consider renting a car in Vegas and spending a day here.

This guide includes the top things to do at Lake Mead, including the best hikes, activities, and nearby attractions like Boulder City and Hoover Dam. I’ll also share the best Lake Mead campgrounds to check out if you want to stay here longer.

1. Visitor’s Center, the first thing you should do at Lake Mead

The first thing to do at Lake Mead is to go to the Lake Mead Visitor’s Center. Here, you can find free maps, brochures, and a relief exhibit of the recreation area. The display includes information about the local wildlife, and you can also watch a short film about the desert species in the area.

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1. Visitor’s Center, the first thing you should do at Lake Mead

Rangers and staff at the center can give you more info and tips for your trip, and you can peruse souvenirs, including Native American art and jewelry. Outside the center, there is a short trail you can take to get acquainted with the surroundings.

The Visitor’s Center is right off US Highway 93 and is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

2. Boating, something fun to do at Lake Mead

One of the most popular things to do on Lake Mead is to go boating. There are nearly 300 square miles of open water, coves, and waterways here waiting to be explored.

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2. Boating, something fun to do at Lake Mead

Throughout Lake Mead National Recreation Area, you can find piers and marinas with boat rentals. You may opt for a serene Lake Mead cruise or satisfy your need for speed on a sport boat. Other Lake Mead boat rentals include fishing boats, paddle boats, and pontoon boats.

If you want to rent a boat on Lake Mead, you can do so at Calville Bay, Cottonwood Cove, Hemenway Harbor, Katherine Landing, PWC Beach, Temple Bar, and Willow Beach.

3. Camp at one of the lovely Lake Mead campgrounds

For an overnight adventure, rent an RV in Las Vegas and stay at a Lake Mead campground. You can find tent and RV camping at Lake Mead‘s 15 different sites.

Falling asleep in the wilderness with views of the lake is quite a different experience from sleeping in Sin City. About half of the campsites have showers, and most of them are close to beautiful hiking trails.

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3. Camp at one of the lovely Lake Mead campgrounds

If you’re not sure where to stay in Lake Mead, some popular spots include Boulder Beach Campground, Calville Bay Campground, and Echo Bay Campground. Campground fees are $20 per site, and several are first-come, first-serve.

We have a complete guide on where to camp in Las Vegas, although if you don’t want to camp at Lake Mead, you can stay at the Hoover Dam Lodge, Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort, or Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa.

4. Take a hike, another nice thing to do around Lake Mead, NV

Another must-do at Lake Mead is to go hiking. The majority of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses the Mojave Desert, so you’ll find lots of great Lake Mead hiking trails.

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4. Take a hike, another nice thing to do around Lake Mead, NV

There are hikes in Lake Mead for all levels, and you can take guided hikes through the canyons and gravel washes. The family-friendly Historic Railroad Trail and the challenging Arizona Hot Springs route are two of the best hikes in Las Vegas and are worth checking out.

Some other popular hikes around Lake Mead include Owl Canyon, the St. Thomas trail, and the Goldstrike Canyon route.

5. Go kayaking, a popular thing to do on Lake Mead

If boating isn’t quite your thing, you may like kayaking on Lake Mead. You can see the park in a new way as you float along the Colorado River, past mountains, and into hidden caves.

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5. Go kayaking, a popular thing to do on Lake Mead

You can bring your own kayak or rent one and, along with Lake Mead kayak rentals, you may also choose from a range of canoes and paddleboards. Another option is this 3-hour kayaking tour in a clear-bottomed kayak. You’ll explore the Black Canyon National Water Trail, a 30-mile stretch of the Colorado River.

Black Canyon is a gorgeous natural area of coves, hot springs, and tranquil scenery. You may even spot bighorn sheep and other animals on the surrounding cliffs.

6. Do some water sports, a typical thing to do at Lake Mead

A fun thing to do at Lake Mead, especially with family or friends, is to do some water sports. You can find jet ski rentals at Lake Mead, along with paddleboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and tubing rentals.

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6. Do some water sports, a typical thing to do at Lake Mead

Another unique experience is scuba diving at Lake Mead. Both Lake Mead and neighboring Lake Mohave are favored among divers. Two popular scuba diving spots are Black Canyon and Scuba Beach at North Boulder Beach.

And if water sports are a bit too wild for you, Lake Mead’s swimming beaches are some of the best beaches in Las Vegas. Boulder Beach and Willow Beach, in particular, are very popular.

7. Hit the biking trails, a great way to see Lake Mead

Back on land, biking is another favorite Lake Mead activity among visitors. The Lake Mead area includes several bike routes and backcountry trails for you to explore on two wheels.

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7. Hit the biking trails, a great way to see Lake Mead

For example, you can bike along the River Mountains Loop, which circles the River Mountains and goes past Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Boulder City. The Historic Railroad Trail, one of the best hikes in Vegas, is also bikeable and boasts panoramic views of the lake.

You can find bike rental shops right outside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Henderson and Boulder City, NV. As an alternative, you might like this Lake Mead ATV tour, which includes hotel pick-up from Vegas and 3 hours of ATV driving along Lake Mead.

8. Go fishing, another thing to do in Lake Mead

Another outdoorsy thing to do at Lake Mead is to go fishing. The freshwater lake is home to dozens of fish species, including catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, striped bass, and sunfish. The striped bass, in particular, are quite famous, as they can reach over 40 lbs.

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8. Go fishing, another thing to do in Lake Mead

You can go fishing on Lake Mead at Willow Beach, Katherine Landing, and Hemenway Fishing Pier.

9. Northshore Road, Lake Mead’s scenic drive

Driving along Northshore Road is a leisurely thing to do at Lake Mead, whether you’re alone or with friends. Spanning nearly 50 miles, Northshore Road can be a fun way to take a self-guided tour of Lake Mead.

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9. Northshore Road, Lake Mead’s scenic drive

The road goes past historical landmarks and a variety of landscapes ranging from flat plains to rocky boulders. As you travel along the scenic drive, you can stop at the panoramic Lake Mead overlooks and take a short hike from one of the trailheads.

Another route you’ll probably take during your visit to Lake Mead is Lakeshore Road. It serves as the main thoroughfare and winds past the Visitor’s Center, Las Vegas Bay, and several lookouts, marinas, and campgrounds.

10. Visit Boulder City & Hoover Dam, something to do near Lake Mead

While there are lots of things to do at Lake Mead, the area is also close to Boulder City, another place worth visiting. This historic city is home to museums, attractions, restaurants, and parks, so you could easily spend a day here.

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10. Visit Boulder City & Hoover Dam, something to do near Lake Mead

Moreover, Boulder City is right next to the Hoover Dam, which I highly recommend checking out. After all, without the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead wouldn’t exist. One of the best tours to the dam is this half-day trip, although you can find several other great Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas.

FAQs – Things to do at Lake Mead

Now you know the best things to do at Lake Mead. If you still have concerns, here are the answers to some common questions.

Lake Mead is on the Colorado River, next to the Hoover Dam.

Lake Mead is about 20 miles east of Las Vegas, so it takes about 30 minutes to get there.

Lake Mead was the result of the Hoover Dam’s construction, which blocked the flow of the Colorado River.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area spans nearly 1.5 million acres in Arizona and Nevada.

Currently, Lake Mead is at 36% of its original capacity, and experts predict that Lake Mead’s water levels will continue to drop. Some say that the lake will eventually run dry.

Lake Mead map

Finally, here is a map of Lake Mead with all the activities and attractions I mentioned. Feel free to download it and keep it handy on your phone.

I hope this article helps you plan your visit and some fun things to do at Lake Mead! If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment. Have a safe trip!

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10 Best Things to Do at Lake Mead, Nevada (2025)

FAQs

Is Lake Mead worth visiting? ›

If you enjoy the outdoors, Lake Mead offers a wide range of activities for you and your friends or family. Some of the things you can do while visiting Lake mead include boating, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, sport fishing, swimming, and hiking.

What more can be done in Lake Mead? ›

There are endless ways to enjoy the water on Lake Mead. Swimming and sliding off the back of your houseboat, exploring by jet ski, kayak, or paddle board, as well as other water sports like waterskiing, wakeboarding, or tubing behind a powerboat.

What is Lake Mead famous for? ›

Lake Mead is a lake on the Colorado River, about 39 km from the Las Vegas Strip, southeast of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona. It is the largest reservoir in the United States in terms of water capacity.

Where is the best place to see Lake Mead? ›

These are a few places to stop along the shore:
  • Lake Mead Visitor Center. If you are planning to spend any amount of time on Lake Mead or in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, then the first place you need to stop is the Lake Mead Visitor Center. ...
  • Echo Bay. ...
  • Boulder Beach. ...
  • The Hoover Dam. ...
  • Temple Bar. ...
  • South Cove.
Nov 10, 2020

Is it OK to swim in Lake Mead? ›

There are many places to swim in the bright blue waters of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Be aware that there are no lifeguards in the park. Always wear a life jacket. Most fatalities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area could have been avoided if the person in the water was wearing a life jacket.

What is the big deal about Lake Mead? ›

Created in the 1930s as part of Hoover Dam [see also Elwood Mead], Lake Mead provides water storage in the Lower Basin of the Colorado River. The reservoir is designed to hold 28,945,000 acre-feet of water and at 248 square miles its capacity is the largest in United States.

Can Lake Mead ever fill up again? ›

The river feeds into Lake Mead, where the retreating water levels are obvious with a bathtub ring showing where the water previously reached. The race against climate change doesn't give much time to refill reservoirs at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, experts say.

Do you have to pay to go to Lake Mead? ›

All park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass upon entering Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Additionally, the park charges lake use fees. Lake Mead passes can be purchased online or at one of our entrance stations.

Is Lake Mead doing better now? ›

The lake's current levels are a huge improvement from previous years. In the same period last year, Lake Mead started off at around 1,044 feet before steadily climbing through the spring. This was due to a particularly wet year, when a record amount of snowpack accumulated in the surrounding mountains.

Who benefits from Lake Mead? ›

Lake Mead provides water to the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada as well as some of Mexico, providing sustenance to nearly 20 million people and large areas of farmland.

Is Lake Mead a clean lake? ›

Compared to other large metropolitan areas, the lake has relatively little water contamination from human activity. That's because the Colorado River is a very clean water source and provides about 97 percent of Lake Mead's water.

Can you drink from Lake Mead? ›

Do not drink untreated lake water. Keep pets and children out of areas with algae. Clean fish well, and discard guts. Rinse off with clean water after swimming.

Is it worth it to go to Lake Mead? ›

For those who love outdoor activities, Lake Mead is a paradise. The lake offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. From boating and water sports to fishing and hiking, there's something for everyone. It's also a great place for a family picnic or a relaxing day by the beach.

What is the closest city to Lake Mead Nevada? ›

Boulder City, Nevada, is the closest city to Lake Mead. Far from the crowds, you can rent a boat or personal watercraft to feel the wind in your hair.

Can you walk around Lake Mead? ›

Summer hiking is not advised. Lake Mead National Recreation Area has few established hiking trails. When cooler weather prevails from November through March, National Park Service guided hikes and walks are conducted in various areas throughout the recreation area.

Is Lake Mead free to visit? ›

All park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass upon entering Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Additionally, the park charges lake use fees.

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