News Release

Lake Mead NRA Officials Announce Closure Order for the Park

Date: August 19, 2023

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials are announcing a complete closure of the park to recreational use effective today at 5 pm. This closure order is expected to remain in effect through at least Monday, and conditions at the park will be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure proper measures are taken to ensure safe operations moving forward.

The closure applies to park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders. Exceptions will be made for local, state or federal government employees engaged in official duties.

This closure is being issued in anticipation of expected severe disruption of services and imminent danger to people and facilities at the park as Hurricane Hilary moves in. The National Weather Service is predicting dangerous impacts to the entire area for the rest of the weekend and into next week.

The park has already experienced multiple power and utility outages prior to the arrival of Hurricane Hilary. Due to a storm last night, one marina experienced extensive damage, to include multiple dock separations, power outages, and fuel outages.

During the storm, access to emergency response vessels and personnel is expected to be limited, as we take all necessary steps to keep our staff out of harm’s way. There may be times when no emergency response is available. Regional air response is grounded through this storm.

Updates will be provided as they become available. The park is providing the latest updates via social media and the Lake Mead NRA Current Conditions web page.

NPS officials also urge everyone to continually monitor the National Weather Service sites for Lake Mead and Lake Mohave for the latest storm updates at the park, and use extreme caution if you are traveling anywhere in the area this weekend.
 

- NPS -

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, just minutes from Las Vegas, offers Joshua trees, slot canyons and night skies illuminated by the Milky Way. The park’s rocks are as red as fire and the mountains are purple majesties. Lake Mead is the country’s first and largest national recreation area and the fifth most visited national park in the country. Follow us at www.nps.gov/lake or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.