Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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Las Vegas sits in the middle of the Mojave Desert, so you wouldn’t imagine there would be a beautiful lake just a 45-minute drive away from the Las Vegas Strip. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a national park area that covers 1.5 million acres of gorgeous desert landscapes including colorful rock formations, vast canyons, and not one but two glorious lakes of sparkling blue water.

Lake Mead and its sister Lake Mojave were created when the Boulder Dam (now the Hoover Dam) was built, and today it’s a favorite place for Las Vegas locals who love the water. There are many ways to explore this beautiful spot, including hiking, kayaking, boating, fishing, jet skiing, and more. If you love the outdoors, be sure to see this majestic place while you’re visiting Vegas. There is a fee for entry to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but many tours include those fees as part of their pricing.