Love Lake Mead

NPS

Love Lake Mead is about people coming together to care for a place we all treasure. From picking up litter along the shore to planting native plants and restoring favorite gathering spots, volunteers help keep the lake and desert landscapes clean, safe, and welcoming. It’s a way to give back, build community, and ensure Lake Mead stays beautiful for generations to come.

Mark your calendars! The next Love Lake Mead cleanup is set for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Government Wash. Join us as we care for this special place together. Event details will be shared soon—stay tuned and plan to be part of the effort!

Quick Facts

• What it is: A volunteer program and community initiative at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

• Focus Areas: Beautification, stewardship, safety, and community connection

• Who Can Participate: Open to all ages; individuals, families, schools, and organizations welcome

• Major Events: Love Lake Mead Days each April (National Park Week) and October

Event Highlights

• Volunteer Projects – Shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration, graffiti removal, and trail improvements.

• Learning & Discovery – Ranger-led talks, stewardship demonstrations, and opportunities to learn about the lake’s history and ecosystems.

• Family Fun – Hands-on activities for kids and youth groups.

• Community Connections – Building partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, businesses, and families.

Did You Know?

At the last Love Lake Mead Day event 205 volunteers removed over 10,000 pounds of trash!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of Love Lake Mead?

Love Lake Mead brings people together to keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful. Through year-round volunteer projects, we restore habitats, care for popular recreation areas, and promote safe and responsible enjoyment of the lake.

Beautification: Boat Removal

Abandoned boats are garbage. They harm the shoreline, create safety hazards, and take away from the lake’s natural beauty. Removing them helps restore the landscape and keeps Lake Mead safe and enjoyable for everyone. Boats are properly disposed of or recycled through approved processes, ensuring harmful materials don’t return to the environment. 

The park is asking for the public's help identifying other abandoned and sunken boats and similar large items in the recreation area, like car bumpers or appliances. If you have seen items like these, please email the park using the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page. A park ranger will respond to gather more information like GPS coordinates and photos so it can be removed.

While volunteers don’t remove these boats themselves, they are the backbone of the Love Lake Mead program and help the NPS remove trash from all over the park!

Other Beautification Projects

Beautification projects also include: 

• Shoreline cleanups 

• Graffiti removal 

• Habitat restoration (planting native vegetation and reducing invasive species) 

• Restoring Government Wash 

• Volunteer events during Love Lake Mead Days each April and October 

 

Did You Know? 

During a single cleanup, 1,800 feet of old irrigation pipe was removed.

Stewardship: What does stewardship mean at Lake Mead?

What kinds of stewardship projects are part of Love Lake Mead? 

• Collecting native seeds for future restoration 

• Planting and tending native vegetation 

• Removing invasive species 

• Supporting research and education to better protect the park

Planning Your Visit

Maps & Directions 

Events and projects take place at various sites around Lake Mead, including Boulder Beach, Government Wash, and Hemenway Harbor. A detailed event map is provided with registration. 

What to Bring 

• Reusable water bottle 

• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) 

• Sturdy shoes for walking and working outdoors 

• Gloves (if you have them; otherwise, provided at events) 

• A spirit of stewardship! 

Safety Tips 

• Drink water frequently, especially in warm months. 

• Follow ranger and staff instructions during volunteer activities. 

• Stay on designated paths and respect wildlife. 

• Check weather forecasts before you arrive. 

How can I volunteer with Love Lake Mead?

Volunteers are at the heart of the program. You can join a cleanup, adopt-a-cove program, or help with restoration projects year-round.

If you or your group is interested in participating, email [e-mail] to sign up.

 

Every hand makes a difference at Lake Mead. Whether you give an hour or a day, your time helps keep this special place alive and thriving. Join us, and be part of the Love Lake Mead story.

Sign up opportunities for the October 18th, 2025 Love Lake Mead Day event are coming soon. The October cleanup will focus on Government Wash. Specific projects for the upcoming October 18th are being planned.

Below are examples from the April 2025 event that show the kinds of projects that are part of a Love Lake Mead event.