Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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.
About under an hour from Las Vegas by car.
Alerts
- ClosureNPS ↗Government Wash and 8.0 Mile Road Anticipated Reopening
The Government Wash campground and 8.0 Mile Road are anticipated to reopen in late October to vehicle access and overnight camping. This alert will be updated once the reopening date has been set.
- CautionNPS ↗Harmful Algae Bloom
A Harmful Algae Bloom has been confirmed in recent water samples taken from the Nelson's Landing and the Cottonwood Cove areas on Lake Mohave. To reduce health risks, the National Park Service recommends recreators limit body contact with these waters when algae is present.
- CautionBacteria Levels at Arizona Hot Springs
Fecal bacteria in water samples taken from Arizona Hot Springs frequently reach high levels, which can transmit human diseases. To reduce health risks, the National Park Service recommends recreators limit body contact in these waters, clean after use, and to never put your head under water at hot springs. Please contact the Park at 702-293-8990 for updates on this advisory.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private VehicleAdmits a private non-commercial vehicle for 1-7 days. | $25 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $20 | |
| Per PersonAdmits a single individual walking/bicycling for 1-7 days. | $15 | |
| Non-commercial GroupsAdmits 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 | |
| Education/Academic GroupsAdmits education/academic groups as long as a fee waiver form is filled out and approved. | Free | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| SedanAdmits a sedan of 1-6 people. | $25 | |
| VanAdmits a van of 7-16 persons. | $50 | |
| Mini-busAdmits a mini-bus of 16-25 persons. | $60 | |
| Motor CoachAdmits a motor coach of 26+ persons. | $150 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkThis 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. | $45 | |
Lake Mead National Recreation Area has entrance and lake use fees. The Lake Mead Annual Entrance Pass and Lake Mead Annual Vessel fees can be paid and purchased for online or at one of our entrance stations.
Hours
| All Park Hours | Daily · All Day |
When to go
June draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Boulder Beach Campground | 136 sites | |
| $20 a night · Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Boulder Beach Group Campground | 5 sites | |
| $80 a night · Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · 5 reservable | ||
| Lake Mead RV Village | 115 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · Books through lakemeadmohaveadventures.com | ||
| Las Vegas Bay Campground | 86 sites | |
| $20 a night · Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Callville Bay Campground | 52 sites | |
| $20 a night · Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · 52 first-come | ||
Show all 16 campgroundsHide
| Callville Bay RV Park | 5 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Willow Beach Campground | 9 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Cottonwood Cove Campground ↗ | 45 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · 45 reservable | ||
| Temple Bar Campground | 71 sites | |
| $20 a night · Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Echo Bay Campground | 52 sites | |
| $20 a night · Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · 37 first-come | ||
| Echo Bay RV Park | 55 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Temple Bar RV Park | 10 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Cottonwood Cove RV Park | 72 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Willow Beach RV Park | 28 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Katherine Landing Campground | 173 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
| Katherine Landing RV Park | 24 sites | |
| Standard hours. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Lake Mead Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Before you start your adventure, stop by the Lake Mead Visitor Center. Whether you have one hour or one week, rangers and volunteers will help you plan an unforgettable trip. In addition to grabbing maps and brochures, you can get your National Park passport stamp or become a junior ranger.
- Lake Mead Headquarters Information KioskPassport stamp
An information kiosk is located inside Lake Mead's Headquarters building.
Explore
Things to do
- Picnic at Katherine Landing
Katherine Landing picnic area features 10 picnic tables, 6 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Opens on the Park Service site - Picnic at South Arizona Telepone Cove
South Arizona Telephone Cove picnic area features 6 picnic tables. This location does not have grills, restrooms, or drinking water.
Opens on the Park Service site - Picnic at Rogers Spring
Rogers Spring picnic area features 4 picnic tables, 4 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Opens on the Park Service site - Bike the River Mountains Loop Trail4-8 Hours
Bicyclists are welcome to ride at Lake Mead National Recreation Area on park roads and on routes designated for bicycle use. Approved backcountry roads are designated routes and are marked with a yellow arrow sign with a number on it.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the Lone Palm Trail4-8 Hours
This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River at the end of the trail.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the White Rock Canyon Trail4-8 Hours
Follow this meandering canyon down as it compresses and loosens until it finally opens to reveal the mighty Colorado River.
Opens on the Park Service site
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- Hike the Goldstrike Canyon Trail4-8 Hours
This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River and Hoover Dam.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the Arizona Hot Springs Trail4-8 Hours
Arizona Hot Spring trail is strenuous and can be combined to make a loop going down a 20-foot ladder to the White Rock Canyon trail. With a 750-foot elevation change and some steep scrambling, this hike is considered very strenuous.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the Liberty Bell Arch Trail4-8 Hours
While there is no river access on this trail, hikers are rewarded throughout their adventure with geological highlights, remnants of a historic magnesium mine going back to the days of WWII, and a fantastic panoramic view overlooking the Colorado…
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the Lake View Trail1-4 Hours
Lakeview hiking trail allows visitors to explore the beautiful mountainous landscape and the desert flora and fauna including creosote, brittle bush.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike the Callville Summit Trail1-4 Hours
From the summit, take in stunning views looking over Callville Bay and beautiful blue Lake Mead.
Opens on the Park Service site - Drive along Northshore Road
If Lakeshore Road is Lake Mead’s “Main Street”, Northshore Road is its scenic route. Stretching for almost fifty miles, Northshore Road winds its way from modern times next to housing developments through historic geologic periods where the…
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- Pearce Ferry Road Litter Cleanup10/1509:00 AM · free · registration requiredLocation will be announced via confirmation email to all registered participants prior to the event.
- Visitor Center Planting10/1708:30 AM · free · registration requiredMeeting location and password for free entry will be sent out to all registered volunteers.
- Six Mile Cove Litter Cleanup10/2409:00 AM · free · registration requiredLocation will be announced via confirmation email to all registered participants prior to the event.
- Leave No Trace Spotlight: Trivia Night10/2906:00 PM · freeTrivia Night will be hosted at the Boulder City Adventure Center, 102 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005.
- Leave No Trace Spotlight: Campfire Program at Boulder Beach Campground10/3005:00 PM · freeEvent will be held in the Boulder Beach Campground Amphitheater. Participants may park in the Water Safety Center parking area…
- Leave No Trace Spotlight: Pop-Up Trailhead Education10/3008:00 AM · freeEvent will be held at the Arizona Hot Springs trailhead. This is NOT a guided hike.
Show all 10Hide
- Leave No Trace Spotlight: Willow Beach Cleanup10/3009:00 AM · free · registration requiredMeeting location and password for free entry will be sent out to all registered volunteers.
- Leave No Trace Spotlight: Volunteer Stewardship Project at Goldstrike Canyon10/3108:00 AM · free · registration requiredEvent will be held at the Goldstrike Canyon trail.
- Dragonfly Mercury Project11/0508:30 AM · free · registration requiredLocation is TBD. Meeting location and password for free entry will be sent out to all registered volunteers.
- Lake Mead Lodge Planting11/1408:30 AM · free · registration requiredMeeting location and password for free entry will be sent out to all registered volunteers.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Arizona's national parks
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Guide to Common Plants of Lake Mead National Recreation AreaElizabeth A. Powell and Frederick H. Landau, 2023Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Full checklist: 291 birds, 57 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican kestrel · California condor · Cooper's hawk · Swainson's hawk · bald eagle · barn owl · burrowing owl · ferruginous hawk · flammulated owl · golden eagle · great horned owl · long-eared owl · merlin · northern harrier · osprey · peregrine falcon · prairie falcon · red-shouldered hawk · red-tailed hawk · rough-legged hawk · sharp-shinned hawk · turkey vulture · western screech owl
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican bittern · American coot · American white pelican · American wigeon · Barrow's goldeneye · Canada goose · Clark's grebe · Pacific loon · Ross's goose · Virginia rail · black-crowned night-heron · blue-winged teal · brown pelican · bufflehead · cattle egret · cinnamon teal · clapper rail · common goldeneye · common loon · common merganser · double-crested cormorant · eared grebe · great blue heron · great egret · greater scaup · greater white-fronted goose · green heron · green-winged teal · hooded merganser · horned grebe · least bittern · lesser scaup · little blue heron · long-tailed duck · northern pintail · pied-billed grebe · red-breasted merganser · red-throated loon · ring-necked duck · ruddy duck · sandhill crane · snow goose · snowy egret · tundra swan · western grebe · white-faced ibis · wood duck · wood stork
Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican avocet · Bonaparte's gull · California gull · Caspian tern · Forster's tern · Franklin's gull · Heermann's gull · Sabine's gull · Thayer's gull · Wilson's phalarope · Wilson's snipe · black tern · black-bellied plover · blue-footed booby · brown booby · common tern · glaucous-winged gull · greater yellowlegs · herring gull · killdeer · least sandpiper · least tern · lesser yellowlegs · long-billed curlew · long-billed dowitcher · magnificent frigatebird · marbled godwit · mew gull · parasitic jaeger · pectoral sandpiper · red phalarope · red-necked phalarope · ring-billed gull · sanderling · semipalmated plover · semipalmated sandpiper · short-billed dowitcher · snowy plover · solitary sandpiper · spotted sandpiper · western sandpiper · willet
Gamebirds & dovesGambel's quail · Inca dove · band-tailed pigeon · common ground-dove · mourning dove · ring-necked pheasant · white-winged dove · wild turkey
WoodpeckersGila woodpecker · Lewis's woodpecker · Williamson's sapsucker · hairy woodpecker · ladder-backed woodpecker · northern flicker · red-naped sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsCosta's hummingbird · Vaux's swift · black-chinned hummingbird · broad-tailed hummingbird · calliope hummingbird · rufous hummingbird · white-throated swift
Also on the checklistAbert's towhee · American crow · American goldfinch · American pipit · American redstart · American robin · Bell's vireo · Bendire's thrasher · Bewick's wren · Brewer's blackbird · Brewer's sparrow · Brown thrasher · Bullock's oriole · Cassin's finch · Cassin's kingbird · Cassin's vireo · Crissal thrasher · European starling · Grace's warbler · Hammond's flycatcher · Harris' sparrow · Hutton's vireo · Lazuli bunting · Le Conte's thrasher · Lincoln's sparrow · Lucy's warbler · MacGillivray's warbler · Nashville warbler · Pacific wren · Pacific-slope flycatcher · Say's phoebe · Scott's oriole · Steller's jay · Swainson's thrush · Townsend's solitaire · Townsend's warbler · Virginia's warbler · Wilson's warbler · ash-throated flycatcher · bank swallow · barn swallow · belted kingfisher · black phoebe · black-and-white warbler · black-billed magpie · black-chinned sparrow · black-headed grosbeak · black-necked stilt · black-tailed gnatcatcher · black-throated gray warbler · black-throated sparrow · blue grosbeak · blue-gray gnatcatcher · brown creeper · brown-headed cowbird · bushtit · cactus wren · canvasback · canyon towhee · canyon wren · cedar waxwing · chestnut-sided warbler · chipping sparrow · chukar · cliff swallow · common moorhen · common raven · common yellowthroat · commonn poorwill · dark-eyed junco · dickcissel · dusky flycatcher · eastern kingbird · evening grosbeak · fox sparrow · gadwall · golden-crowned kinglet · golden-crowned sparrow · grasshopper parrow · gray flycatcher · gray vireo · great-tailed grackle · greater roadrunner · green-tailed towhee · hepatic tanager · hermit thrush · hermit warbler · hooded oriole · horned lark · house finch · house sparrow · house wren · indigo bunting · juniper titmouse · lark bunting · lark sparrow · lesser goldfinch · lesser nighthawk · loggerhead shrike · mallard · marsh wren · mountain bluebird · mountain chickadee · northern goshawk · northern mockingbird · northern shoveler · olive-sided flycatcher · orange-crowned warbler · painted bunting · painted redstart · phainopepla · pine siskin · pinyon jay · plumbeous vireo · purple martin · pygmy nuthatch · red crossbill · red-breasted nuthatch · red-winged blackbird · redhead · rock wren · rose-breasted grosbeak · rough-winged swallow · ruby-crowned kinglet · sage sparrow · sage thrasher · savannah sparrow · song sparrow · sora · spotted towhee · summer tanager · surf scoter · swamp sparrow · tree sparrow · tree swallow · varied thrush · verdin · vermilion flycatcher · vesper sparrow · violet-green swallow · western bluebird · western kingbird · western meadowlark · western scrub-jay · western tanager · western wood-pewee · whimbrel · white-breasted nuthatch · white-crowned sparrow · white-winged scoter · willow flycatcher · yellow warbler · yellow-billed cuckoo · yellow-breasted chat · yellow-headed blackbird · yellow-rumped warbler
Small mammalsAmerican beaver · Arizona pocket mouse · Arizona woodrat · Botta's pocket gopher · Crawford's gray shrew · Harris's antelope squirrel · Merriam's kangaroo rat · North American deermouse · black-tailed jackrabbit · cactus deermouse · canyon deermouse · common muskrat · desert cottontail · desert kangaroo rat · desert pocket mouse · desert woodrat · house mouse · little pocket mouse · long-tailed pocket mouse · rock pocket mouse · rock squirrel · round-tailed ground squirrel · southern grasshopper mouse · spiny pocket mouse · western harvest mouse · white-tailed antelope squirrel · white-throated woodrat
PredatorsAmerican badger · North American river otter · bobcat · coyote · gray fox · kit fox · raccoon · ringtail · spotted skunk · striped skunk
Hoofed mammalsbighorn sheep · feral horse · mule deer
BatsAllen's big-eared bat · Californian leaf-nosed bat · Californian myotis · Mexican free-tailed bat · Townsends big-eared bat · Yuma myotis · big bown bat · big free-tailed bat · fringed myotis · greater bonneted bat · hoary bat · pallid bat · silver-haired bat · western pipistrelle · western red bat
Also on the checklistcougar · feral ass
Activities
Activity guides for this park Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Diving and snorkeling in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 43 activitiesHide
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lake Mead?
Entrance is $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. Admits a private non-commercial vehicle for 1-7 days.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Lake Mead?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Lake Mead-only annual pass is $45.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Lake Mead takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Lake Mead free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Lake Mead?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Lake Mead. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
Is Lake Mead open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Lake Mead?
Yes. The Park Service lists 16 campgrounds in Lake Mead: Boulder Beach, Boulder Beach Group, Lake Mead RV Village, Las Vegas Bay, and Callville Bay, and more. 7 take reservations through Recreation.gov; 8 are first-come, first-served.
Which Lake Mead campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Dump station: Boulder Beach, Boulder Beach Group, Las Vegas Bay, Callville Bay, Temple Bar, and Echo Bay. Electric hookups: Lake Mead RV Village, Callville Bay RV Park, Echo Bay RV Park, Temple Bar RV Park, Cottonwood Cove RV Park, Willow Beach RV Park, and Katherine Landing RV Park.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Lake Mead include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Boulder Beach is $20 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
Do Lake Mead campgrounds book through Recreation.gov?
Not all of them. Lake Mead RV Village takes reservations through lakemeadmohaveadventures.com.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Lake Mead right now?
3 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Government Wash and 8.0 Mile Road Anticipated Reopening; Harmful Algae Bloom; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Lake Mead?
6,135,586 recreation visits in 2025, number 10 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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