Swimming & Beaches

 

Make a Splash

There are many places to swim in the bright blue waters of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.

• Be aware that there are no lifeguards in the park.
• Always wear a life jacket. Most fatalities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area could have been avoided if the person in the water was wearing a life jacket.
• Keep a very close eye on children and choose areas to wade where there isn’t any boat traffic.
• Distances are deceiving at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and most coves are too big to swim across. Know your limits.
• Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas.
• As waters recede in Lake Mead, saturated mud is being exposed. People and vehicles have gotten stuck by going too far without carefully testing the ground first. Lake Mohave water levels currently remain consistent and shorelines are not impacted.

 

Information

Beach Rules

• No styrofoam
• No glass bottles
• No marijuana use
• Gas and charcoal BBQs only (no campfires)
• Keep trash off the beach

Paddlecraft & Rafts

Before visiting a beach, please check to see what is allowed in that area. Paddlecraft (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards) and rafts with oars are considered vessels. They are not allowed at beaches designated for swimming only.

State law requires you to have a life jacket on board your paddlecraft or raft for every occupant. Children 12 and younger must wear them while aboard. All occupants of hand-propelled craft operating between Hoover Dam and Mile 43 on Lake Mohave are required to wear a life jacket when underway.

Inflatable Pool Toys

Lake Mead National Recreation Area prohibits the use of inflatable and non-inflatable devices used for recreating in pools and commonly referred to as “pool toys.” This prohibition includes small pool toys such as inflatable armbands (also known as water wings), beach balls and pool noodles. The use of water-based recreation items used for attaching to or towing behind a vessel are not included in this prohibition. Additionally, inflatable kayaks, paddle boards, kite boards and float tubes which fall under the United States Coast Guard definition of a vessel are not included in this prohibition.

 

 

 

Lake Mead Beaches

• Boulder Beach
  • Directions to Boulder Beach
• Special Events Beach
  • Directions to Special Events Beach
• Canoe/Kayak Beach
  • Directions to Canoe/Kayak Beach
• Personal Watercraft Beach (PWC) Beach
  • Directions to PWC Beach

Lake Mohave Beaches

• Willow Beach
  • Directions to Willow Beach
• Cottonwood Cove
  • Directions to Cottonwood Cove
• Princess Cove
  • Directions to Princess Cove
• Cabinsite Cove
  • Directions to Cabinsite Cove
• North Arizona Telephone Cove
  • Directions to North Arizona Telephone Cove
• South Arizona Telephone Cove
  • Directions to South Arizona Telephone Cove
• Katherine Beach
  • Directions to Katherine Beach