Lake Mead & Hoover Dam

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LAKE MEAD

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a 30-mile ride east of Las Vegas for those interested in water sports. The lake is the world's largest man-made reservoir and provides a wide variety of year-round recreational activities, including: boating, swimming, hiking, scuba diving and sport fishing. The 1.5-million acre recreation area that surrounds the lake is equally unique. Three of the nation's four desert ecosystems meet here - the Great Basin, Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Lake Mead is open year-round. A small admission fee is now required. As with any outdoor recreation getaway in southern Nevada, visitors should bring plenty of water and dress for the season.
Lake Mead

Hoover Dam is named after President Herbert Hoover, who championed the construction of the immense concrete dam, in order to harness the power of the Colorado River. The spectacular dam created a new water supply, hydroelectric power, and water for irrigation, both municipal and industrial, bringing life to the desert surrounding it. Hoover Dam is an astonishing 726 feet high and 600 feet thick at its base, but it's at the observation points on top where the view is truly breathtaking. For a close look inside the dam and how it operates, guided tours are available for a small fee. The Visitor Center offers exhibits and historic film footage, while the cafeteria and gift shop offer refreshments and souvenirs for the thousands of people who visit annually.

Tour reservations: 702-494-2517

Hoover Dam Bureau of Reclamation
Stratosphere Tower Illusion on Lake Mead