Activity Overview
Lake Mead is one of the largest lakes on the West Coast. Dip your toes in the water, hop on a jet ski, or get up close and personal with the Hoover Dam. The lake itself was created after the installation of the Hoover Dam, which uses hydropower electricity to keep the lights of Las Vegas on 24/7. Learn more about the history of the dam or simply enjoy a picnic with your family along the water.
The lake is located about 30 minutes from the strip, giving you and your family the opportunity to take a relaxing vacation within your vacation! Rent jet skis, kayaks, and boats for adventures on the water. Those with fishing poles get a dock all to themselves, and if you're a camping family, you can take full advantage of the fully-quipped campgrounds with RV hookups, laundry facilities, and grocers. During your visit, be sure and check out some of the local wildlife, including tortoises!
Things to Do
- Along with the fabulous fishing, swimming, and dog-friendly water holes, Lake Mead offers a bunch of tour packages. There are a few different options when it comes to choosing which helicopter you want to fly in and how close you want to get to the Hoover Dam, but here is a general overview:
- Helicopter Tours: Different helicopters can tour you through the state park, into Indian Territory, around the Hoover Dam, and into the sunset if you wish; Book ahead online to get the best seats and choose the best copter for your tour
- Hoover Dam Tours: Get close to the dam on a boat or in a helicopter, there are even brunch and dinner boat cruises where you can enjoy a family meal on the water with the natural landscape as your view; Tours last for 90 minutes
- Awesome Adventure Tours: For the wild ones in your family, let them tour the park on ATVs, try their hand at rock climbing, or even hop in a kayak for a truly individualistic look at the park; As a family, try out the zipline and the ropes course
Lake Mead Insider Tips
- If you plan on swimming - which you should! - be sure and bring water shoes. The rocky paths and pebbles on the lake floor can be very uncomfortable to walk on barefoot.
- It costs $10 per vehicle to enter the park, but this fee is good for the entire week. So if you're spending 7+ days in Vegas, consider breaking up the trip by spending a little time by the water.
