Things to do nearLake Mead

Lake Mead came into existence following the construction of Hoover Dam, completed in 1936, which impounded the Colorado River to create the reservoir. The surrounding land was designated as the Boulder Dam Recreation Area and later became Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the first national recreation area established in the United States. The history of the region runs deeper than the dam itself, with evidence of ancient Puebloan and Southern Paiute peoples throughout the canyon landscape.

On the water, visitors find conditions suited to everything from wakeboarding and water skiing in the open basins to calm-water fishing in the quieter arms of the reservoir. Largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish draw anglers throughout the year. The Lake Mead shoreline also contains submerged remnants of the town of St. Thomas, a Mormon settlement flooded when the reservoir filled, which occasionally resurfaces during periods of low water and offers an unusual glimpse into the area's layered past.

The desert terrain surrounding Lake Mead adds another dimension to any visit. Hiking trails lead through volcanic rock formations and past petroglyphs, and the nearby Valley of Fire State Park makes a natural complement to a day on the reservoir. The visitor center near Boulder City provides helpful orientation to the recreation area's many access points and programs.

Lake Mead occupies a category of its own among American lakes, combining the drama of desert canyon geology with the freedom of open freshwater on a monumental scale, making it a destination that consistently exceeds expectations for first-time visitors and longtime regulars alike.