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sun rising on Black Canyon
AZ,NV

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Entrance Fee

$25.00

/ Entrance - Private Vehicle

Park Hours (Today)

All Day

Lake Mead Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 4:30PM

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About the Park

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.

Archeology Ruins Aviation Dams Industry Mining Native American Heritage Schools and Education
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What to See & Do

A arch in the middle of a rock.
Front-Country Hiking

Hike the Liberty Bell Arch Trail

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 River from 1000 ft. up. 

In Park4-8 Hours
Water cuts through a canyon
Front-Country Hiking

Hike the Arizona Hot Springs Trail

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. 

In Park4-8 Hours
Stream and plants
Front-Country Hiking

Hike the Goldstrike Canyon Trail

This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River and Hoover Dam.

In Park4-8 Hours
A trail winds through a canyon
Front-Country Hiking

Hike the White Rock Canyon Trail

Follow this meandering canyon down as it compresses and loosens until it finally opens to reveal the mighty Colorado River.

In Park4-8 Hours
A view of the Colorado River at the end of the Lone Palm route.
Front-Country Hiking

Hike the Lone Palm Trail

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.

In Park4-8 Hours
picnic shelter
Picnicking

Picnic at Katherine Landing

Katherine Landing picnic area features 10 picnic tables, 6 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.

In Park

Visitor Centers

Large tan building in the desert with a blue lake in the background.

Lake Mead Visitor Center

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. The Western National Parks Association operates the park store from within the center. It's stocked with books about the park and the region, Native American arts, jewelry and crafts, posters, outerwear and more.

9:00AM - 4:30PM 702-293-8990
A headquarters building with a flag pole and a large arrowhead.

Lake Mead Headquarters Information Kiosk

An information kiosk is located inside Lake Mead's Headquarters building.

8:00AM - 4:00PM 702-293-8906

Where to Stay

Desert landscape with campsites and two rv's.

Boulder Beach Campground

The Boulder Beach Campground is located just minutes from Las Vegas along the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. It’s open year-round and features large paved sites that can accommodate tents or large RVs, along with tables, fire pits and/or grills. These sites are like an oasis, because of the lush vegetation that shades nearly every campsite. There is a mix of palm trees, oleanders, mature cottonwood trees and native vegetation that also helps provide privacy between sites.

🏕 135 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Shady campsite in the desert.

Boulder Beach Group Campground

When you stay at the Boulder Beach Group Campground, you’ll have access to many recreation opportunities. Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach and PWC Beach are 1-2 miles away. At these locations you can swim, kayak and jet ski. If you prefer to explore the park on land, the River Mountains Loop Trail passes right by the campground. This paved trail is more than 30 miles long and leads to the Historic Railroad Trail.

🏕 5 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
RV Village

Lake Mead RV Village

Lake Mead's Boulder Beach area offers many things to see and do. Whether you’d rather go sightseeing, tour Hoover Dam, go shopping, visit historic Boulder City or try your luck in Las Vegas, Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach is conveniently located to a variety of attractions. There’s a lot going on around Lake Mead RV Village, so set up camp and discover this diverse and historically significant area, while enjoying your stay on the shores of Lake Mead.

🏕 115 sitesReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Desert landscape with campsites and bushes.

Las Vegas Bay Campground

Las Vegas Bay Campground is located just minutes from Las Vegas on the western edge of the park and has lush vegetation that shades nearly every campsite. There is a mix of palm trees, oleanders, mature cottonwood trees and native vegetation that also helps provide privacy between sites. Wildlife in the area includes many species of birds and lizards along with antelope squirrels and the occasional coyote.

🏕 85 sites💧 Water🚽 Toilets
Photo of a picnic table and fire ring in a cleared area for tent camping with trees.

Callville Bay Campground

When you stay at Callville Bay Campground, you can enjoy the area on land or on water. A nearby shaded picnic area has cool grass, grills, restrooms and panels explaining the history of the area. Across the street, you’ll find the trailhead to the Callville Summit Trail. This 2.7-mile moderate hike requires a short climb, but yields a spectacular view of Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, the Hemenway Valley and the River Mountains.

🏕 52 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
RV's sit in an open lot

Callville Bay RV Park

More than 550 miles of pristine shoreline. Soaring red rock cliffs. Countless bays and beaches. Get off the grid for the vacation of a lifetime at Callville Bay Resort & Marina on Lake Mead. Conveniently located within an hour of Las Vegas, Nevada, Callville Bay offers an ideal getaway perfectly complemented by infinite opportunities for adventure and entertainment. Personal watercraft and ski boat rentals are available for a fun-filled day trip, along with multiple houseboat rental options.

🏕 5 sites
RV park

Willow Beach Campground

Willow Beach Campground offers 9 tent campground sites and is located just 30 minutes from Boulder City and 45 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. With its unique location, the park offers scenic views of the Colorado River, Black Canyon, as well as the mountain and desert landscapes in the distance. Enjoy a variety of water activities on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, hike on the many trails in the recreation area, tour the Hoover Dam, or head to Las Vegas for some nightlife entertainment.

🏕 9 sites
Campground with lake and marina in background.

Cottonwood Cove Campground

Cottonwood Campground is located near Searchlight, Nevada, along Lake Mohave. It’s open year-round and features paved sites that can accommodate tents or RVs, along with tables, fire pits and/or grills. Restrooms and water spigots are located throughout the campsite.

🏕 45 sitesReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Desert campground with a tent and vegetation.

Temple Bar Campground

Enjoy the Temple Bar area by land or water. Hike through the desert along the Temple View Trail to observe the crystal blue waters of Lake Mead and the natural temple that changes colors throughout the day. Launch your own boat or rent one from the marina. You can also dine at the seasonal cafe, or grab a variety of snacks, drinks and charcoal from the store.

🏕 71 sites💧 Water🚽 Toilets
Campsite with desert trees and a picnic table.

Echo Bay Campground

Our Echo Bay Park is a fisherman’s and boater’s paradise. Located on the north end of Lake Mead, this secluded park offers a variety of outdoor activities. Close to the “must-see” wonder of the Valley of Fire State Park and the ruins of the historic town of St. Thomas, visitors have an array of hiking and sightseeing opportunities. The large RV sites provide room for your boat, and the free on-site launch ramp are ideal for boaters.

🏕 52 sites💧 Water🚽 Toilets
RV's lined up in a lot

Echo Bay RV Park

Echo Bay Park is a fisherman’s and boater’s paradise. Located on the north end of Lake Mead, this secluded park offers a variety of outdoor activities. Close to the “must-see” wonder of the Valley of Fire State Park and the ruins of the historic town of St. Thomas, visitors have an array of hiking and sightseeing opportunities. The large RV sites provide room for your boat, and the free on-site launch ramp are ideal for boaters.

🏕 55 sites
A road lined with palm trees on each side

Temple Bar RV Park

Just 75 miles away from Las Vegas, Temple Bar Marina is located in the Temple Basin on the Arizona side of eastern Lake Mead. It’s the closest marina for Arizonans who want to get away from the more populated Boulder Basin area of Lake Mead. The RV Park at Temple Bar Marina is a perfect location for enjoying the lake and all its recreational activities.

🏕 10 sites
RV sit lined up

Cottonwood Cove RV Park

Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina at Lake Mohave is a premier destination for houseboat rentals, watercraft rentals, camping and includes a spacious rv park. We are conveniently located on the Colorado River and just a short drive from Laughlin, Nevada. Our resort and marina have lakeside accommodations, a full-service rv park, nearby campground facilities and a variety of boat rentals. Visit us at Lake Mohave and experience the getaway of a lifetime.

🏕 72 sites
RV Park

Willow Beach RV Park

Willow Beach RV Park is your full-service RV Park and tent campground located just 30 minutes from Boulder City and 45 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. With its unique location, the park offers scenic views of the Colorado River, Black Canyon, as well as the mountain and desert landscapes in the distance. Enjoy a variety of water activities on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, hike on the many trails in the recreation area, tour the Hoover Dam, or head to Las Vegas for some nightlife entertainment.

🏕 28 sites
A campsite with a table and palm trees

Katherine Landing Campground

With views of the lake and within walking distance of the marina, swim beach, dining and retail store, campsites at Katherine Landing feature a wide array of amenities including concrete picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grills, modern restrooms, showers, with laundry facilities close by. Wi-fi access through Access Parks is available. Campsites at Katherine Landing offer guests a scenic, affordable basecamp for adventures on and around beautiful Lake Mohave.

🏕 173 sites
A RV park

Katherine Landing RV Park

The Katherine Landing RV campsites come complete with water, sewer and electrical hook-ups. All spaces have the option of household current, 30 amp, or 50 amp power. Laundry, restroom and shower facilities are available on site. All spaces are back-in with the largest space accommodating a 40′ RV. For a Lake Mohave camping adventure in the comfort of your own rig, the RV campsites at Katherine Landing offer all the connections you need!

🏕 24 sites

Getting Here & Transit

How to Get Here

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.

Park Amenities

Accessible Sites
Amphitheater
Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection
Automated Entrance
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Beach/Water Access
Benches/Seating
Boat Ramp
Boat Rental
Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch
Cellular Signal
Dock/Pier
Electrical Hookup - Boat/RV
Electrical Outlet/Cell Phone Charging
Entrance Passes for Sale

Entrance Fees & Passes

Standard Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$25.00

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

Entrance - Motorcycle

$20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person

$15.00

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

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

$15.00

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.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

$0.00

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

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

$25.00

Admits a sedan of 1-6 people.

Commercial Entrance - Van

$50.00

Admits a van of 7-16 persons.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

$60.00

Admits a mini-bus of 16-25 persons.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$150.00

Admits a motor coach of 26+ persons.

Annual & Lifetime Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$45.00

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.

Operating Hours

All Park Hours

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that while the majority of the park is accessible at all hours, our Visitor Center operates on a specific schedule. Be sure to plan your visit accordingly, as the Visitor Center is open during designated hours to provide you with valuable information, maps, and assistance from our knowledgeable staff.

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
  • WednesdayAll Day
  • ThursdayAll Day
  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

Live Webcams

Click any camera to open the live feed on the NPS website.

When to Go

Crowd Calendar

Plan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.

Jan

Low

Feb

Low

Mar

Moderate

Apr

Moderate

May

High

Jun

High

Jul

Low

Aug

Low

Sep

Moderate

Oct

Moderate

Nov

High

Dec

Low
Low Crowds
Moderate Crowds
High Crowds

Location

Lake Mead Visitor Center
Boulder City, NV 89005

Around This Park

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Common Questions

Planning Lake Mead National Recreation Area

These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.

Reservation policies vary heavily by season. During peak summer months, many popular national parks require timed-entry permits or vehicle reservations just to enter the park, or specific permits for popular hikes (like Half Dome or Angels Landing). Always check the official NPS alerts and recreation.gov before setting your dates.