Lake Mead National Recreation Area

U.S. protected area in Nevada and Arizona

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)

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Location| Clark County, Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona, United States
Nearest city| Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada
Coordinates| 36°00′35″N 114°47′48″W﻿ / ﻿36.00972°N 114.79667°W﻿ / 36.00972; -114.79667
Area| 1,495,806 acres (6,053.31 km2)[1]
Established| October 13, 1936; 88 years ago (1936-10-13)[2]
Visitors| 5,578,226 (in 2022)[3]
Governing body| Department of the Interior (DOI)
National Park Service (NPS)
Website| Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a U.S. national recreation area in Southeastern Nevada and Northwestern Arizona. Operated by the National Park Service, Lake Mead NRA follows the Colorado River corridor from the westernmost boundary of Grand Canyon National Park to just north of the cities of Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona. It includes all of the eponymous Lake Mead as well as the smaller Lake Mohave – reservoirs on the river created by Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, respectively – and the surrounding desert terrain and wilderness.[4]

Formation of Lake Mead began in 1935, less than a year before Hoover Dam was completed.[4] The area surrounding Lake Mead was protected as a bird refuge in 1933[5] and later established as the Boulder Dam Recreation Area in 1936[6] and the name was changed to Lake Mead National Recreation Area in 1947.[7] In 1964, the area was expanded to include Lake Mohave and its surrounding area and became the first National Recreation Area to be designated as such by the U.S. Congress.[8]

## Amenities

[edit]

Lake Mead NRA features water recreation, including boating, swimming, and fishing, on both lakes as well as the stretches of river between the lakes. It also features hiking trails and views of the surrounding desert landscape.[9] Three of the four desert ecosystems found in the United States — the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Sonoran Desert — meet in Lake Mead NRA. Tours of Hoover Dam – administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation – are also a major attraction within the recreation area.[8][10]

About 200,000 acres (81,000 ha) of the recreation area are managed separately under the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, established in 2000.[11] Water covers about 186,000 acres (75,000 ha) of the recreation area.[12]

## Recreation

[edit]

Lake Mead NRA offers diverse recreational activities, drawing visitors from across the country. The area spans over 1.5 million acres of desert landscapes, two reservoirs (Lake Mead and Lake Mohave), and unique geological features.

The recreation area provides premier destinations for boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming, supported by over 750 miles of shoreline.[13] Boating facilities, including marinas, boat ramps, and houseboat rentals, enhance the visitor experience. Fishing opportunities abound, with species like striped bass, catfish, and crappie commonly caught in the lakes.[14]

With over 200 miles (320 km) of trails, Lake Mead NRA caters to hikers of all skill levels. Trails range from scenic lakeside walks to challenging treks, such as the Historic Railroad Trail and Goldstrike Canyon Trail, home to the natural Gold Strike Hot Springs. Campgrounds and backcountry camping sites provide options for overnight stays.

The desert terrain, extreme temperatures, and water-related hazards contribute to its reputation as one of the most dangerous national parks in the United States. From 2007 to 2024, 317 fatalities were reported in the area, with water-related incidents like drowning being the leading cause.[15]

### Conservation and Visitor Safety

[edit]

The National Park Service (NPS) is dedicated to maintaining safety and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Lake Mead NRA. Safety programs emphasize the use of life jackets, hydration, and heat preparedness.[16] Visitor centers and interpretive programs provide resources and educational materials to enhance the visitor experience while promoting responsible recreation.

### Historical Features

[edit]

The ghost town of St. Thomas, Nevada, located within Lake Mead NRA, offers a unique glimpse into the region's history. Once submerged under Lake Mead, the town has reemerged as water levels have receded, revealing a 2-mile loop trail with interpretive signage. It is accessed near the Northshore Entrance Station, just south of Overton.

## Wilderness areas

[edit]

There are currently nine officially designated wilderness areas under the National Wilderness Preservation System lying within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. All are in the Nevada portion. Parts of some of these wildernesses (as indicated) lie outside Lake Mead NRA and are managed by the Bureau of Land Management:[17]

* Black Canyon Wilderness (Nevada)
* Bridge Canyon Wilderness
* Eldorado Wilderness (partly BLM)
* Ireteba Peaks Wilderness (partly BLM)
* Jimbilnan Wilderness
* Muddy Mountains Wilderness (mostly BLM)
* Nellis Wash Wilderness
* Pinto Valley Wilderness
* Spirit Mountain Wilderness (partly BLM)

## Park resources

[edit]

A boat at Lake Mead National Recreation Area Lake Mead from the Hoover Dam Rock formations near Echo Bay

* 900 plant species
* 500 animal species
* 24 rare and threatened species
* The relict leopard frog (Lithobates onca) is now believed to survive only in this area.[18]
* 9 designated wilderness areas
* 122,166 museum objects and archives
* 1,347 recorded archeological sites
* 23 historic structures
* 8 listed National Register Properties
* 2 Traditional Cultural Properties[8]

### Fish species

[edit]

Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country’s best sport fishing. The following species are found in both lakes:[8]

* Largemouth Bass
* Striped Bass
* Crappie
* Rainbow Trout
* Catfish (Channel)
* Bluegill

## Visitation

[edit]

Satellite image of Lake Mead

For 2012, with 6.3 million recreational visits, Lake Mead National Recreation Area was the 5th most visited national park.[8]

Calendar Year  | Annual Visits Total  | Cumulative Visits  |  |

|
|
|
|

1936  |  |  |  |
1937  | 552,128  | 552,128  |  |
1938  | 533,914  | 1,086,042  | -18,214  | -3.30%
1939  | 649,624  | 1,735,666  | +115,710  | +21.67%
1940  | 668,027  | 2,403,693  | +18,403  | +2.83%
1941  | 844,733  | 3,248,426  | +176,706  | +26.45%
1942  | 338,778  | 3,587,204  | -505,955  | -59.90%
1943  | 214,190  | 3,801,394  | -124,588  | -36.78%
1944  | 263,533  | 4,064,927  | +49,343  | +23.04%
1945  | 587,436  | 4,652,363  | +323,903  | +122.91%
1946  | 1,165,369  | 5,817,732  | +577,933  | +98.38%
1947  | 1,426,831  | 7,244,563  | +261,462  | +22.44%
1948  | 1,654,004  | 8,898,567  | +227,173  | +15.92%
1949  | 1,423,552  | 10,322,119  | -230,452  | -13.93%
1950  | 1,798,280  | 12,120,399  | +374,728  | +26.32%
1951  | 2,053,619  | 14,174,018  | +255,339  | +14.20%
1952  | 1,946,706  | 16,120,724  | -106,913  | -5.21%
1953  | 2,220,940  | 18,341,664  | +274,234  | +14.09%
1954  | 2,112,724  | 20,454,388  | -108,216  | -4.87%
1955  | 2,675,371  | 23,129,759  | +562,647  | +26.60%
1956  | 2,672,774  | 25,802,533  | -2,597  | -0.10%
1957  | 2,955,257  | 28,757,790  | +282,483  | +10.57%
1958  | 3,190,580  | 31,948,370  | +235,323  | +7.96%
1959  | 3,390,574  | 35,338,944  | +199,994  | +6.27%
1960  | 2,254,185  | 37,593,129  | -1,136,389  | -33.50%
1961  | 2,219,960  | 39,813,089  | -34,225  | -1.50%
1962  | 2,688,745  | 42,501,834  | +468,785  | +21.10%
1963  | 3,349,565  | 45,851,399  | +660,820  | +24.60%
1964  | 3,462,580  | 49,313,979  | +113,015  | +3.40%
1965  | 3,594,065  | 52,908,044  | +131,485  | +3.80%
1966  | 3,720,485  | 56,628,529  | +126,420  | +3.50%
1967  | 4,102,335  | 60,730,864  | +381.85  | +10.30%
1968  | 4,751,795  | 65,482,659  | +649,460  | +15.80%
1969  | 5,614,940  | 71,097,599  | +863,145  | +18.20%
1970  | 4,897,135  | 75,994,734  | -717,805  | -12.80%
1971  | 4,570,229  | 80,564,963  | -326,906  | -6.70%
1972  | 4,888,640  | 85,453,599  | +318,407  | +6.90%
1973  | 5,534,315  | 90,987,914  | +645,679  | +13.20%
1974  | 5,939,533  | 96,927,447  | +405,218  | +7.32%
1975  | 6,219,220  | 103,146,667  | +279,687  | +4.70%
1976  | 6,948,611  | 110,095,278  | +729,391  | +11.72%
1977  | 6,529,848  | 116,625,126  | -418,763  | -6.00%
1978  | 6,879,870  | 123,504,996  | +350.022  | +5.30%
1979  | 6,378,341  | 129,883,337  | -501,529  | -7.30%
1980  | 5,145,699  | 135,029,036  | -1,232,642  | -19.30%
1981  | 5,406,184  | 140,435,220  | +260,485  | +0.05%
1982  | 5,565,467  | 146,000,687  | +159,283  | +3.00%
1983  | 6,128,254  | 152,128,941  | +562,787  | +10.10%
1984  | 6,504,206  | 158,633,147  | +375,952  | +6.10%
1985  | 7,204,295  | 165,837,442  | +700,089  | +10.70%
1986  | 8,034,542  | 173,871,984  | +830,247  | +11.50%
1987  | 8,392,419  | 182,264,403  | +357,877  | +4.50%
1988  | 8,629,895  | 190,894,298  | +237,476  | +2.83%
1989  | 8,803,414  | 199,697,712  | +173,519  | +2.00%
1990  | 8,893,495  | 208,591,207  | +90.081  | +1.02%
1991  | 8,751,312  | 217,342,519  | -142,183  | -1.59%
1992  | 9,343,549  | 226,686,068  | +592,237  | +6.80%
1993  | 9,265,520  | 235,951,588  | -78,029  | -0.84%
1994  | 9,913,705  | 245,865,293  | +648,185  | +7.00%
1995  | 10,195,546  | 256,060,839  | +281,841  | +2.85%
1996  | 9,689,997  | 265,750,836  | -505,549  | -4.96%
1997  | 8,837,742  | 274,588,578  | -852,255  | -8.80%
1998  | 9,106,793  | 283,695,371  | +269,051  | +3.00%
1999  | 9,351,237  | 293,046,608  | +244,444  | +2.68%
2000  | 9,072,545  | 302,119,153  | -278,692  | -3.00%
2001  | 8,772,589  | 310,891,742  | -299,956  | -3.31%
2002  | 7,824,128  | 318,715,870  | -948,461  | -10.81%
2003  | 8,202,677  | 326,918,545  | +378,547  | +4.84%
2004  | 8,103,609  | 335,022,154  | -99,066  | -1.21%
2005  | 7,971,437  | 342,993,591  | -132,172  | -1.63%
2006  | 8,059,850  | 351,053,441  | +88,413  | +1.11%
2007  | 7,898,592  | 358,952,033  | -161,258  | -2.00%
2008  | 7,877,581  | 366,829,614  | -21,011  | -0.27%
2009  | 7,946,830  | 374,776,444  | +69,249  | +0.88%
2010  |  |  |  |
2011  |  |  |  |
2012  |  |  |  |
2013  |  |  |  |
2014  |  |  |  |
2015  |  |  |  |
2016  |  |  |  |
2017  |  |  |  |
2018  |  |  |  |
2019  |  |  |  |

## See also

[edit]

* Arizona portal
* Nevada portal

* List of areas in the United States National Park System

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Listing of acreage – December 31, 2011" (XLSX). Land Resource Division, National Park Service. Retrieved December 14, 2012. (National Park Service Acreage Reports)
2. ^ "Listing of National Park System Areas by State". National Park Service.
3. ^ "Annual Park Ranking Report for Recreation Visits in: 2022". nps.gov. National Park Service. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
4. ^ a b Crossley, John. "Lake Mead National Recreation Area". The American Southwest. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
5. ^ Rothman, Hal K. (June 2002). "Balancing the Mandates: An Administrative History of Lake Mead National Recreation Area" (PDF). National Park Service.
6. ^ Dodd, Douglas W. (2006-12-01). "Boulder Dam Recreation Area: The Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, and the Origins of the National Recreation Area Concept at Lake Mead, 1929–1936". Southern California Quarterly. 88 (4): 431–473\. doi:10.2307/41172340. ISSN 0038-3929. JSTOR 41172340.431-473&rft.date=2006-12-01&rft.issn=0038-3929&rft_id=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41172340#id-name=JSTOR&rft_id=info:doi/10.2307/41172340&rft.aulast=Dodd&rft.aufirst=Douglas+W.&rft_id=https://online.ucpress.edu/scq/article-abstract/88/4/431/87377/Boulder-Dam-Recreation-Area-The-Bureau-of?redirectedFrom=fulltext&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Lake+Mead+National+Recreation+Area" class="Z3988">
7. ^ "Lake Mead National Recreation Area: Historic Timeline". National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
8. ^ a b c d e "Press Kit: About Lake Mead National Recreation Area" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
9. ^ Glionna, John M. (August 27, 2015). "Enduring heat and history, hikers learn their place – far behind the ghosts of Hoover Dam". Los Angeles Times.
10. ^ "Hoover Tour Information". Bureau of Reclamation. Archived from the original on 2013-11-19. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
11. ^ "National Monument detail table as of April 2012" (PDF). Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
12. ^ Barnes, John. "Inventory and Monitoring of Aquatic Bird Species on Lakes Mead and Mohave 2004–2006". Digital Scholarship@UNLV. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
13. ^ "Canoeing & Kayaking - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
14. ^ "Fishing - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
15. ^ "Deaths in Lake Mead National Recreation Area [2024]". Valiente Mott. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
16. ^ "Safety - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
17. ^ "Wilderness Areas in the National Park System". Wilderness.net. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
18. ^ "Relict Leopard Frog". Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service). Retrieved 2020-04-26.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

* National Park Service: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
* Bureau of Reclamation: Hoover Dam
* Arizona Boating Locations Facilities Map
* Arizona Fishing Locations Map
* Where to Fish in Arizona Species Information Archived 2008-07-30 at the Wayback Machine
* Arizona Lake Levels Archived 2010-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
* Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation:
* HAER No. NV-22, "Lakeshore Road, Boulder Basin, Boulder City, Clark County, NV", 30 photos, 17 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
* HAER No. NV-40, "Route No. 1–Overton–Lake Mead Road, Between Overton Beach and Park Boundary, Overton, Clark County, NV", 4 photos, 39 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
* HAER No. NV-40-A, "Route No. 1–Overton–Lake Mead Road, Culverts and Headwalls", 30 photos, 21 data pages, 6 photo caption pages
* HAER No. NV-40-B, "Route No. 1–Overton–Lake Mead Road, Gutters", 9 photos, 10 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
* HAER No. NV-40-C, "Route No. 1–Overton–Lake Mead Road, Dikes and Ditches", 6 photos, 11 data pages, 3 photo caption pages
* HAER No. NV-40-D, "Route No. 1–Overton–Lake Mead Road, Low Water Crossings", 2 photos, 4 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
* HAER No. NV-40-E, "Route No. 1–Overton–Lake Mead Road, Station Markers", 3 photos, 8 data pages, 3 photo caption pages

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Protected areas of Arizona

Federal|

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* Grand Canyon
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|

National Historical Parks,
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Bureau of Land Management
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Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon
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National Conservation Areas|

* Gila Box Riparian
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National Recreation Areas|

* Glen Canyon
* Lake Mead

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See List of Arizona Wilderness Areas

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* Papago Park
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Other|

| National Natural Landmarks|

See List of National Natural Landmarks in Arizona

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Protected areas of Nevada

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* Avi Kwa Ame NM (BLM)
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|

National Recreation Areas|

* Lake Mead
* Spring Mountains (USFS)

National Forests|

* Humboldt–Toiyabe
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National Conservation Areas|

* Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails
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Wilderness Areas|

* Alta Toquima
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National Wildlife Refuges|

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State|

| Historic Parks|

* Elgin Schoolhouse
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|

Recreation Areas|

* Big Bend of the Colorado
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* Walker River
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Other|

* Beaver Dam
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Previous|

* Belmont Courthouse
* Floyd Lamb
* Walker Lake

* Nevada portal

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National recreation areas of the United States

National Park Service|

* Amistad
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U.S. Forest Service|

* Allegheny
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Bureau of Land
Management|

* White Mountains

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Colorado River system

Jurisdictions|

* United States
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Canyons|

* Byers Canyon
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* Glenwood Canyon
* De Beque Canyon
* Horsethief Canyon
* Ruby Canyon
* Westwater Canyon
* Cataract Canyon
* Narrow Canyon
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* Grand Canyon
* Marble Canyon
* Granite Gorge
* Middle Granite Gorge
* Lower Granite Gorge
* Grand Wash Canyon
* Iceberg Canyon
* Virgin Canyon
* Boulder Canyon
* Black Canyon
* Pyramid Canyon
* Mohave Canyon

Natural features|

* River course
* Rocky Mountains
* Colorado River Basin
* Colorado Plateau
* Grand Lake
* Horseshoe Bend
* Sonoran Desert
* Mojave Desert
* Lower Colorado River Valley
* Mohave Valley
* Parker Valley
* Palo Verde Valley
* Colorado Desert
* Alamo River
* New River
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* Delta
* Montague Island
* Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez

Tributaries|

* Blue River
* Dirty Devil River
* Dolores River
* Escalante River
* Eagle River
* Fraser River
* Gila River
* Green River
* Gunnison River
* Kanab Creek
* Little Colorado River
* Paria River
* Roaring Fork River
* San Juan River
* Thunder River/Tapeats Creek
* Virgin River
* Las Vegas Wash
* Williams Fork
* Río Hardy

Engineering|

| Mainstem dams|

* Shadow Mountain
* Granby
* Windy Gap
* Grand Valley
* Price-Stubb
* Glen Canyon
* Hoover
* Davis
* Parker
* Headgate Rock
* Palo Verde
* Imperial
* Laguna
* Morelos

|

Major reservoirs|

* Fontenelle Reservoir
* Flaming Gorge Reservoir
* Blue Mesa Reservoir
* Navajo Lake
* Lake Powell
* Lake Mead
* Lake Mohave
* Lake Havasu
* Imperial Reservoir
* Theodore Roosevelt Lake
* San Carlos Lake

Aqueducts and
canals|

* Grand Ditch
* Colorado River Aqueduct
* San Diego Aqueduct
* Central Arizona Project
* All-American Canal
* Alamo Canal
* Coachella Canal

Water projects|

* Boulder Canyon Project
* Colorado–Big Thompson Project
* Colorado River Storage Project
* Grand Valley AVA
* Yuma Project

Designated areas|

* Arches National Park
* Canyonlands National Park
* Colorado National Monument
* Dead Horse Point State Park
* Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
* Grand Canyon National Park
* Lake Mead National Recreation Area
* Rocky Mountain National Park

Related topics|

* Arizona v. California
* Colorado River Board of California
* Colorado River Compact
* Floyd Dominy
* Lee's Ferry
* International Boundary and Water Commission
* Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
* Rapids and features
* U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
* William Mulholland

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* 2
* Israel

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