| Lake Mead National Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 | |
| Location | Clark County, Nevada andMohave County, Arizona, United States |
| Nearest city | Boulder City andLas Vegas, Nevada |
| Coordinates | 36°00′35″N114°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; 89 years ago (1936-10-13)[2] |
| Visitors | 6,412,854 (in 2024)[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 SoutheasternNevada and NorthwesternArizona. Operated by theNational Park Service, Lake Mead NRA follows theColorado River corridor from the westernmost boundary ofGrand Canyon National Park to just north of the cities ofLaughlin, Nevada andBullhead City, Arizona. It includes all of the eponymousLake Mead as well as the smallerLake Mohave –reservoirs on the river created byHoover Dam andDavis 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 theU.S. Congress.[8]
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 — theMojave Desert, theGreat Basin Desert, and theSonoran Desert — meet in Lake Mead NRA. Tours of Hoover Dam – administered by theU.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 theGrand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, established in 2000.[11] Water covers about 186,000 acres (75,000 ha) of the recreation area.[12]
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 naturalGold 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]
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.
The ghost town ofSt. 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 ofOverton.
There are currently nine officially designatedwilderness areas under theNational 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 theBureau of Land Management:[17]
Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country’s best sport fishing. The following species are found in both lakes:[8]
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% |
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