Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a large outdoor destination near Boulder City, Nevada, with access points around Lake Mead and the southern Lake Mohave section. Choose an entrance that suits your plans, then check fees, launch access and water conditions before you go.
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- The area has six main entrances around Lake Mead.
- A private-vehicle entrance pass costs $25 and is valid for 1–7 days.
Choose an access area before you go
Choose your access area first: the recreation area has entrances around Lake Mead and in the southern Lake Mohave section.
The National Park Service (NPS) identifies six main Lake Mead entrances: Northshore, Lake Mead Boulevard, Lake Mead Parkway, Boulder, Temple Bar and Meadview. The southern Lake Mohave section has entrance stations at Willow Beach, Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove.
Entrance-station availability can vary. Stations are at Boulder Beach, Lake Mead Boulevard, Lake Mead Parkway, Cottonwood Cove, Willow Beach, Katherine Landing and Lake Mead Headquarters; Temple Bar and Northshore Road entrance stations are closed. Check which entrance is operating for your plans before you set out.
Getting to Lake Mead
Choose your destination within the recreation area before settling on a route, since its entrances serve different locations. For transport around the city before your outing, the guide to getting around Las Vegas covers local transportation planning.
The recreation area’s gates are not the same as visitor services. The Lake Mead Visitor Center is at 10 Lakeshore Road, Boulder City, Nevada 89005; entrance passes are not sold there.
Fees, facilities and current conditions
Entrance fees depend on how you arrive, and fees may also apply to vessel use and camping.
A private, non-commercial vehicle pass costs $25 for 1–7 days. The motorcycle pass costs $20 for 7 days and covers up to two private, non-commercial motorcycles, with up to four passengers total.
For someone arriving on foot or by bicycle, the pass costs $15 for 1–7 days from age 16; children under 16 do not need an entrance pass. The annual entrance pass costs $45.
Vessel passes are separate: the annual vessel sticker costs $50, while the $16 daily vessel pass is valid for 7 consecutive days. Non-motorized vessels do not require a Lake Mead Vessel Pass. Only Senior and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on lake-use passes and camping fees.
Entrance, lake-use and campground fee collection is cashless, and entrance stations accept electronic payments. Campground and RV village parks are managed by the NPS and authorized concessionaires; entrance fees are additional to camping fees.
The Alan Bible Visitor Center is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Park Headquarters in Boulder City is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed Saturday and Sunday. Hours and fees can change, so check the official site before you go.
Water activities and safety checks
Check water and weather conditions before boating, swimming or spending time along the shore.
Lake Mead and Lake Mohave water levels change throughout the year. Approach shorelines cautiously and watch for shallows and submerged debris. Avoid walking or driving far onto exposed shoreline mud without carefully testing the ground; people and vehicles have become stuck in saturated mud.
Before boating, check the weather forecast and marina storm-warning flags. If a storm begins while you are on the water, head for a protected cove and wait for it to pass. Boaters must carry required safety equipment, and the NPS recommends wearing a life jacket at all times, including while swimming, fishing or playing in the lake.
There are no lifeguards in the recreation area, and swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas. Bacteria levels, toxic algae blooms and swimmer’s itch are not monitored in the park; avoid water where bright green algae is floating.
Changing lake levels and ramp maintenance or construction can affect boat-launch access. Launching is at your own risk, so check current conditions before planning to use a ramp.
Combining Lake Mead with Hoover Dam
Lake Mead and Hoover Dam can be part of the same day’s plans, but the access area you choose matters.
Pick your Lake Mead entrance before arranging the rest of the day, then use a Hoover Dam day trip from Las Vegas to plan the dam portion. Confirm access conditions for your selected area before setting out.
FAQs
Is Lake Mead National Recreation Area open every day?
Yes. The recreation area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visitor centers and other services have their own schedules.
Can you swim at Lake Mead?
Swimming is possible, but there are no lifeguards. Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas, and you should avoid water with floating bright green algae.
Do non-motorized boats need a vessel pass?
No. Non-motorized vessels do not require a Lake Mead Vessel Pass.