Lake Mead National Recreation Area
First U.S. national recreation area designated by Congress.
Last updated
Where it is
Coordinates: 36°00′36″N 114°47′49″W (36.0100, -114.7970) · Open in OpenStreetMap
Coordinates and connected clubs: the infobox of Wikipedia: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map: drawn by Codexery from OpenStreetMap tiles.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a U.S. national recreation area in Southeastern Nevada and Northwestern Arizona, operated by the National Park Service. It follows the Colorado River corridor from the western boundary of Grand Canyon National Park to north of Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona. The area includes Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, reservoirs created by Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, and was the first National Recreation Area designated by the U.S. Congress.
Amenities
Lake Mead NRA offers water recreation such as boating, swimming, and fishing on both lakes and the river stretches between them. Hiking trails and desert landscape views are available.
Three of the four U.S. desert ecosystems—Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran—meet here. Tours of Hoover Dam, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, are a major attraction. About 200000 acres are managed separately under Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.
Recreation
The recreation area spans over 1.5 million acres of desert landscapes, two reservoirs, and unique geological features. Boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming are supported by over 750 miles of shoreline, with marinas, boat ramps, and houseboat rentals. Fishing species include striped bass, catfish, and crappie. Over 200 miles of trails cater to hikers, including the Historic Railroad Trail and Goldstrike Canyon Trail, home to Gold Strike Hot Springs.
Campgrounds and backcountry camping are available. From 2007 to 2024, 317 fatalities were reported, with water-related incidents like drowning as the leading cause. The NPS maintains safety programs emphasizing life jackets, hydration, and heat preparedness. Visitor centers and interpretive programs provide educational resources.
The ghost town of St. Thomas, Nevada, once submerged under Lake Mead, has reemerged and features a 2-mile loop trail with interpretive signage, accessed near the Northshore Entrance Station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Mead National Recreation Area?
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located in Clark County, Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona, United States.
When was Lake Mead National Recreation Area founded?
Lake Mead National Recreation Area was founded on 13 October 1936.
More in National Park Service National Recreation Areas
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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