Rate Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Recreation Area
Operating Hours & Seasons
Operating Hours
We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $20.00 – Entrance Fee – Vehicle – 1 to 7 days
Per vehicle. Covers all passengers. - $16.00 – Entrance Fee – Vessel – 1 to 7 Days
Per vessel. - $10.00 – Entrance Fee – Individual – 1 to 7 Days
Hikers, bicycles, etc. - $15.00 – Entrance Fee – Motorcycle
Entrance fee for motorcycles
Entrance Passes:
- $40.00 – Entrance Pass – Vehicle or Motorcycle – Yearly Pass
Covers all passengers. - $50.00 – Entrance Pass – Vessel – Yearly Pass
Per vessel. - $40.00 – Entrance Pass – Individual – Yearly Pass
Hikers, bikers, etc.
About
America’s Most Diverse National Recreation Area
Boat, hike, cycle, camp and fish at America’s most diverse national recreation area. With striking landscapes and brilliant blue waters, this year-round playground spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast lakes. See the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, or find solitude in one of the park’s nine wilderness areas.
Directions
By car you can drive to one of the park’s many entrances. The four main entrances to Lake Mead are the north entrance near the town of Overton, Lake Mead Boulevard entrance, Lake Mead Parkway entrance and Boulder Harbor entrance. For the southern sections of the park, near Lake Mohave, there is the Willow Beach entrance, Katherine Landing entrance and Cottonwood Cove entrance station.
Visitor Centers
Lake Mead Visitor Center
The Alan Bible Visitor Center, built in 1966 has been brought into the 21st century while preserving its historic elements. Improvements include bringing its many systems up to code, improving accessibility throughout the building and making it more climate friendly by conserving and producing energy. Our Visitor Center volunteers can answer all your park questions and they have a wealth of knowledge about the park, it’s history, and things to do.
Weather
Spring (April, May and June): Daytime highs 80 F. to 98 F. Nightime lows 50 F. to 66 F. Summer* (July, August and September): Daytime highs 89 F. to 103 (It can get up to 117 F.) Fall (October, November and December): Daytime highs 59 F. to 83 F. Nightime lows 32 F. to 50 F. Winter (January, February and March) Daytime highs 57 F. to 69 F. Nighttime lows 30 F. to 40 F. *Summer can be a dangerous time due to excessive heat. Some trails are closed for public safety.
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Nearby Businesses
