Closest point 25 miles (40 km.) from Las Vegas, more than 550 miles (880 km.) of shoreline, swimming, water skiing, camping, boating, fishing, six marinas, tours available.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers a wealth of things to do and places to go year-round. With 1.5 million acres, it is twice the size of Rhode Island. Its huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Three of America's four desert ecosystems--the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Sonoran Deserts--meet in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As a result, this seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world.

Open year-round, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Visitor center: 8:30am - 4:30pm; and 8:30am - 5:30pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

To get to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area from the Las Vegas area take U.S. 93 or 95 south. Access is also available north on Interstate 15.