Lake Mead

Lake Mead is a reservoir on the Colorado River formed in the 1930s when a major dam was completed on the river; it straddles Nevada and Arizona and is managed for water storage, power generation and recreation.

The shoreline and open water are used for boating, fishing, swimming and lakefront recreation with multiple marinas and boat launches. Day trips combine lake activities with tours of the dam and visitor facilities; scenic drives and overlooks along the shore provide viewpoints over the reservoir.

The reservoir was formed when the Colorado River was impounded by dam construction in the 1930s; since then the lake has been managed for water supply and hydroelectric power while also becoming a major recreation resource.

Lake Mead lies on the Colorado River on the Nevada-Arizona border, roughly southeast of the Las Vegas area and surrounded by desert plateaus and canyons.

• Hoover Dam: The dam at the reservoir's head is the structure that created the lake in the 1930s and remains a major tour destination.
• Best time to visit: Spring and fall generally offer milder temperatures for boating and hiking; summer is the busiest season for recreation on the water.

What to See #

• Hoover Dam: The dam that created the reservoir sits at the lake's western end and is the structure responsible for impounding the Colorado River to form the lake.
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area: A federally managed recreation area covers the lake's shoreline with marinas, boat ramps and campgrounds that serve recreational boating and fishing.