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Lake Mead National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area · AZ · NV · US

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Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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Places in Lake Mead

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Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaHoover DamArt Deco mega-dam with big views and tours insideVisitor Center · RestroomBlack Canyon, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaBlack CanyonA hot‑spring‑dotted paddle through Hoover Dam’s volcanic gorgeHoover Dam Visitor Center, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaHoover Dam Visitor CenterExhibits and tours with a 360-degree overlook of the damVisitor Center · ExhibitGoldstrike Canyon Hot Springs, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaGoldstrike Canyon Hot SpringsSteamy canyon pools after a ropey desert adventureTrailhead · ParkingHistoric Railroad Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaHistoric Railroad TrailEasy lakeside rail-trail through five tunnels to Hoover DamParking · RestroomHoover Dam Memorial, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaHoover Dam MemorialBest wide-angle view of Hoover Dam from the memorial bridgeRestroom · ParkingHoover Dam Powerhouse, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaHoover Dam PowerhouseGuided look at Hoover Dam’s humming generators and giant penstockExhibit · ParkingHoover Dam Viewpoint, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaHoover Dam ViewpointBest wide-angle view of Hoover Dam and the bypass bridgeParking · Restroom

Trails in Lake Mead

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Arizona Hot Springs, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaChallengingArizona Hot SpringsVolcanic slot hike to steamy pools via ladder and the river4.9 mi · 3 hrWhite Rock Canyon, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaChallengingWhite Rock CanyonVolcanic canyon to riverside hot springs with a spicy ladder.5.8 mi · 4 hrHistoric Railroad Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaEasyHistoric Railroad TrailFlat lakeside rail trail through five Hoover Dam–era tunnels7.5 mi · 3 hrGrapevine Canyon Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaModerateGrapevine Canyon TrailPetroglyph-rich desert wash to seasonal waterfalls and slickrock tubs3.3 mi · 2 hrGoldstrike Canyon, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaChallengingGoldstrike CanyonNarrow canyon scramble to riverside hot pools near Hoover Dam5.3 mi · 5 hrHamblin Mountain Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaModerateHamblin Mountain TrailColor soaked desert summit with sweeping Lake Mead views7.1 mi · 4 hrAnniversary Narrows Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaModerateAnniversary Narrows TrailA photogenic slot canyon stroll with mining relics and big desert views7.3 mi · 3.5 hrBowl of Fire Trail, Lake Mead National Recreation AreaModerateBowl of Fire TrailVivid Aztec sandstone playground with solitude and light scrambling9.2 mi · 6 hr

Find wildlife in Lake Mead

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Bighorn Sheep in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaBighorn SheepReports peak in the early evening, around 5 PM521 sightingsBurro in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaBurroReports peak in the evening, around 7 PM114 sightingsBald Eagle in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaBald EagleReports peak in the early evening, around 4 PM18 sightingsWhite Pelican in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaWhite PelicanReports peak in the early morning, around 7 AM98 sightingsGreat Blue Heron in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaGreat Blue HeronReports peak in the early morning, around 7 AM145 sightingsTurkey Vulture in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaTurkey VultureReports peak in the afternoon, around noon104 sightingsOsprey in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaOspreyReports peak in the early morning, around 7 AM27 sightingsRed-tailed Hawk in Lake Mead National Recreation AreaRed-tailed HawkReports peak in the late morning, around 11 AM66 sightings

Before you go

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CAUTION

Extreme Heat Warning through September 10

An Extreme Heat Warning covers Lake Mead’s Arizona and Nevada sides through 8:00 PM PDT/MST Thursday, September 10. - Dangerously hot conditions are expected, with temperatures up to 112–116°F in the Colorado River Valley; heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat. - Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning, stay out of the sun, and limit strenuous activity to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. - Never leave children or pets in unattended vehicles. If someone is overcome by heat, move them to a cool, shaded location; heat stroke is an emergency—call 911. Check current park conditions for updates before traveling.

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CLOSURE

South Cove concrete launch ramp closed

The South Cove concrete launch ramp is closed because low water levels have put it out of service. - Motorized and non-motorized vessel access remains open via a primitive ramp 0.25 miles south on a park-approved road. - Lake Mead’s declining water levels, caused by climate change and an unprecedented 20-year drought, have reshaped shorelines and made impacts to park infrastructure, marina operations, landscapes, and visitor services increasingly challenging to manage. - Lake levels fluctuate regularly; vessel operators are responsible for knowing current lake levels and launch-ramp conditions and should use caution when launching or retrieving vessels. Check current lake levels and launch-ramp conditions before traveling.

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CLOSURE

Echo Bay houseboat launch access closed

Echo Bay houseboat launching is closed while the ramp is under construction to extend its minimum safe elevation for the remainder of 2026. - Motorized and non-motorized vessel access remains open. - Lake Mead’s declining water levels, caused by climate change and an unprecedented 20-year drought, have reshaped shorelines and made impacts to park infrastructure, marina operations, landscapes, and visitor services increasingly challenging to manage. - Lake levels fluctuate regularly; vessel operators are responsible for knowing current lake levels and launch-ramp conditions and should use caution when launching or retrieving vessels. Check current lake levels and launch-ramp conditions before traveling.

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The whole park

36.0126, -114.7934
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