Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox protected area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a U.S. national recreation area in Southeastern Nevada and Northwestern Arizona. Operated by the National Park Service, Lake Mead NRA follows the Colorado River corridor from the westernmost boundary of Grand Canyon National Park to just north of the cities of Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona. It includes all of the eponymous Lake Mead as well as the smaller Lake Mohave – reservoirs on the river created by Hoover Dam and Davis Dam, respectively – and the surrounding desert terrain and wilderness.<ref name=sw>Template:Cite web</ref>
Formation of Lake Mead began in 1935, less than a year before Hoover Dam was completed.<ref name=sw /> The area surrounding Lake Mead was protected as a bird refuge in 1933<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and later established as the Boulder Dam Recreation Area in 1936<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and the name was changed to Lake Mead National Recreation Area in 1947.<ref name=time>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 the U.S. Congress.<ref name=press>Template:Cite web</ref>
Amenities
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Three of the four desert ecosystems found in the United States — the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Sonoran Desert — meet in Lake Mead NRA. Tours of Hoover Dam – administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation – are also a major attraction within the recreation area.<ref name="press" /><ref name="rec">Template:Cite web</ref>
About Template:Convert of the recreation area are managed separately under the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, established in 2000.<ref name="blm_details">Template:BLM National Monument detail table</ref> Water covers about Template:Convert of the recreation area.<ref name="birds">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Recreation
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
With over Template:Convert 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 natural Gold 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Conservation and Visitor Safety
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Visitor centers and interpretive programs provide resources and educational materials to enhance the visitor experience while promoting responsible recreation.
Historical Features
The ghost town of St. 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 of Overton.
Wilderness areas
There are currently nine officially designated wilderness areas under the National 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 the Bureau of Land Management:<ref name=wild>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Black Canyon Wilderness (Nevada)
- Bridge Canyon Wilderness
- Eldorado Wilderness (partly BLM)
- Ireteba Peaks Wilderness (partly BLM)
- Jimbilnan Wilderness
- Muddy Mountains Wilderness (mostly BLM)
- Nellis Wash Wilderness
- Pinto Valley Wilderness
- Spirit Mountain Wilderness (partly BLM)
Park resources
- 900 plant species
- 500 animal species
- 24 rare and threatened species
- The relict leopard frog (Lithobates onca) is now believed to survive only in this area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 9 designated wilderness areas
- 122,166 museum objects and archives
- 1,347 recorded archeological sites
- 23 historic structures
- 8 listed National Register Properties
- 2 Traditional Cultural Properties<ref name=press />
Fish species
Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country’s best sport fishing. The following species are found in both lakes:<ref name=press />
Visitation
For 2012, with 6.3 million recreational visits, Lake Mead National Recreation Area was the 5th most visited national park.<ref name=press />
| 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% |
| 2010 | ||||
| 2011 | ||||
| 2012 | ||||
| 2013 | ||||
| 2014 | ||||
| 2015 | ||||
| 2016 | ||||
| 2017 | ||||
| 2018 | ||||
| 2019 |
See also
References
External links
Template:Commons category Template:Wikivoyage
- National Park Service: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Bureau of Reclamation: Hoover Dam
- Arizona Boating Locations Facilities Map
- Arizona Fishing Locations Map
- Where to Fish in Arizona Species Information Template:Webarchive
- Arizona Lake Levels Template:Webarchive
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation:
Template:Protected Areas of Arizona Template:Protected Areas of Nevada Template:USNRAs Template:Navbox
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- 1936 establishments in Arizona
- 1936 establishments in Nevada
- Lake Mead
- National Park Service areas in Arizona
- National Park Service areas in Nevada
- National Park Service National Recreation Areas
- Protected areas established in 1936
- Protected areas of Clark County, Nevada
- Protected areas of Mohave County, Arizona
- Protected areas of the Mojave Desert
- Protected areas on the Colorado River
- Historic American Engineering Record in Nevada