Introduction
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a startling contrast of desert and water, mountains and canyons, primitive backcountry, and busy marinas. Dams that back up the Colorado River as it flows through one of the hottest, driest regions on earth created Lake Mead and Mohave. Established as America’s first national recreation area, it is a destination for millions of visitors who flock to the desert for boating, fishing, swimming, and water skiing. Attracted at first by the cool, refreshing water, visitors find other unexpected rewards. The quiet, stark beauty of the Mojave Desert with its dramatic exposed geology and the surprising abundance of specially adapted plants and animals offers a variety of experiences for everyone.
History & Culture
Before the creation of Lake Mead, Mohave, and Hoover Dam, the 1.5 million-acre area of Lake Mead National Recreation Area was home to early desert Indian cultures, explorers, pioneers seeking land and religious freedom, and prospectors seeking riches. Archaeological evidence indicates that Native American cultures existed there 8,000 to 10,000 years ago in a cooler, wetter environment. These cultures hunted game, gathered edible plants, and farmed. In a cave near present-day Lake Mead, archaeologist Mark R. Harrington and paleontologist James Thurston discovered remains of large mammals like ground sloth, horse, camel, and mountain sheep. Notches on the bones suggest they were prepared and eaten by humans.
Things To Do
With Lakes Mead and Mohave as the central focus, visitors to >>Lake Mead National Recreation Area may enjoy a variety of water recreation activities in a rugged and picturesque setting. Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country’s best sport fishing. Boating and water skiing are favorite activities on the broad expanses of open water, along with kayaking and canoeing. Shaded picnic areas tables, water, fire grills, and restrooms are located throughout the area. Several paved roads wind through the dramatic desert scenery of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Towering stark mountains, plateaus, desert basins of cacti and creosote bush, and vertical-walled canyons are some of the sights motorists can discover. Short desert hikes lead to places you will never see from a boat or car.
Threats
Invasive Quagga mussels impact the native ecosystem and sport fisheries. Each year, invasive mussels cause millions of dollars of damage to boat and water systems by clogging pipes and engines.</p>
Present Day Lake Mead&l
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Today, millions of visitors come here to enjoy the varied recreational activities available, including swimming, boating, watersports, fishing, hiking, camping, and more. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a Great Place For Vacations. There are currently Fee Stations at Boulder Beach, East Blvd., Lake Mead Parkway, Cottonwood Cove, Temple Bar, and Katherine Landing. Another Fee Station is under construction on the north end, just outside the Valley of Fire State Park. See the fee structure below for more information.