 If you are looking for places to stay cool in the desert this summer, consider a trip to one of the many recreation areas located along the Colorado River. Its 1400-mile shoreline is full of adventure, interesting geological features, breathtaking lakes and a spectacular variety of plants and animals.
Since the Colorado River is home to some of the most spectacular water recreation in the U.S., DesertUSA is in the process of revising and updating a three-part series of favorite recreation areas located along the river. This month we are featuring Lake Mead National Recrational Area (NRA).
At Lake Mead NRA two huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Lake Mead NRA offers outdoor enthusiasts an abundance of things to do and places to go during all seasons. Most adventures begin at one of the two major lakes (Lake Mead & Lake Mohave) which together offer 9 developed areas with a full range of accommodations and services -- 6 concession-operated marinas along Lake Mead and three on Lake Mojave.
A good place to start your adventure on Lake Mead is the Alan Bible Visitor Center, 4 miles northeast of Boulder City, Nevada on U.S. 93. Information on the park activities and services can be obtained here, as well as books, maps, nautical charts and other necessities.
When to go? The most popular time for Colorado River recreation begins Memorial Day weekend and continues through the summer, with record visitors on Independence Day and Labor Day weekends.
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Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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| Description |
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) offers a wealth of things to do and places to go year-round. Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses 1.5 million acres including: 110-mile-long Lake Mead, 67-mile Lake Mohave, the surrounding desert and the isolated Shivwits Plateau in Arizona. Three of America's four desert ecosystems--the Mojave, the Great Basin and the Sonoran Deserts--meet in Lake Mead NRA. 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. |
| Location |
Lake Mead is located in southern Nevada and western Arizona, approximately 25 miles east of Las Vegas at its nearest point, Boulder Beach. |
| Activities |
Boating, Fishing, Driving Tours, Guided Tours, Kayaking, Biking & Hiking, Scuba, Swimming, Horse Back Riding and more. |
| Places to Go |
Visitors Center, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave , Hoover Dam |
| Links |
Current News & Links | Maps | Climate | Camping & Lodging |Nearby Attractions |
| Videos & QTVR's |
Check out our NEW videos, updated maps, related stories, links, articles, and products. |
| Buy Maps & Guide Books |
Lake Mead Guide & Map. Buy now online. |
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| Explore The Colorado River |
| Dams |
Lakes |
Cities |
Historical
Sites |
Parks & Recreation
Areas |
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Glen Canyon Dam
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Lake Powell
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Page, AZ
Moab, UT
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Lees Ferry
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Arches NP
Canyonlands NP
Glen Canyon NRA
Capitol Reef NP
Rainbow Bridge NM
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Hoover Dam
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Lake Mead
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St. George, UT
Las Vegas, NV
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El Dorado Canyon
Searchlight
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Grand Canyon NP
Lake Mead NRA
Valley of Fire State Park
Bryce Canyon NP
Zion NP
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Davis
Dam
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Lake Mohave
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Laughlin, NV
Bullhead City, AZ
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Chloride
Katherine
Oatman
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Spirit Mt. & Grapevine Canyon
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Parker Dam
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Lake Havasu
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Needles, CA
Blythe, CA
Quartzite, AZ
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Lake Havasu City
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Riverside Regional Parks
London Bridge Park
Topock Wild Life Refuge
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Laguna Dam
Imperial Dam
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Lake Martinez
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Yuma, AZ
El Centro, CA
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Hedges/Tumco
Picacho
Slab City
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Sand Hill Recreation Area
Yuma Territorial Prison SHP
Yuma Crossing SHP
Salton Sea
Picacho State Recreation Area
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Splash Into Summer 2007
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