Park Information This answer depends on whether you're asking about Lake Mead the lake or Lake Mead the park.
The lake is the largest reservoir in the United States. At full capacity, the surface area is 157,418 acres. It holds 9.3 trillion gallons of water with 759 miles of shoreline. The average depth is 182 feet and the maximum depth is 532 feet. By comparison, Lake Mohave's surface area is 28,084 acres. It holds 586 billion gallons of water with 309 miles of shoreline. The average depth is 85 feet and the maximum depth is 165 feet. Both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which is the largest National Recreation Area in America. The park is 1.5 million acres and is located in both Nevada and Arizona. In 2019, Lake Mead National Recreation Area was ranked the sixth most visited national park unit in the country and more than 15 million people were within the park boundaries. For more detailed information on park visitation view the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics Reports.
In 1936, after the construction of the Hoover Dam, the National Park Service entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to manage the newly established Boulder Dam National Recreation Area. In 1947, the name was officially changed to Lake Mead National Recreation Area. On October 8, 1964, Congress designated the recreation area as an official unit of the National Park Service, making it the first official national recreation area within the National Park Service.
Many National Park Service employees begin their careers as volunteers or as seasonal employees. Hiring is very competitive and is conducted through the Office of Personnel Management. Learn more about working with us.
One of the many aspects of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area that continually draws visitors is its good weather. Many people come just to relax in the land of the sun. Refugees from states hit hard by winter's icy clutch often flee to this area to spend a mild winter. Sunbathers and water skiers spend summers here to toast in the 110F (43C) degree plus temperatures. The area generally has less than five inches of annual rainfall. Water temperatures may range from 45F (7C) to 85F (29C) degrees during winter and summer respectively.
For real time information, visit The National Weather Service. Yes. We love our volunteers. Lake Mead National Recreation Area has many opportunities for both short-term and long-term volunteer service, including single-day projects, full-time positions and long-term commitments that can be adjusted to fit your schedule. Positions include administration, cultural resources, boating, natural resources management, interpretation, maintenance and campground host among others.
Recreation Both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave have an abundance of activities to choose from. Activities include hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, hunting, biking, boating, camping and much more. Enjoy a picnic at a shaded area or drive through breathtaking desert landscapes. Take a look into a more detailed list of Lake Mead's recreational activities throughout our website.
There are few established hiking trails but many places to hike. Find information about our official trails on our hiking webpage.
Motor vehicles are only permitted on approved roads and only when they are properly licensed for street use. The recreation area is not open to off-road travel of any kind. Visit our backcountry page for more information about where you can travel.
The term “unmanned aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g. model airplanes, quadcopters, drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce.
The launching, landing or operating of an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Lake Mead National Recreation Area is prohibited. Since 1992, a historical establishment of the use of model aircrafts (aka Radio Controlled Model Aircrafts (RCMA)) was authorized at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Only the use of RCMA at the designated area will continue to be allowed. Several concessioners rent houseboats, as well as other types of watercraft. Visit our list of concessions contracts to see what amenities are available from different businesses around the park.
Yes. There are a variety of tent and RV campgrounds in the park. Visit Lake Mead's camping page for complete camping info and where you can make reservations.
Annually, over 35,000 boaters enjoy the bright blue waters of both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, with 3,500 slips docked at our six marinas.
Fees Daily and annual passes can be purchased at the entrance stations around Lake Mead and Lake Mohave and online at recreation.gov. More information about fees can be located on our Fees & Passes page.
Lake use fees for one vessel for 1-7 days is $16. You can purchase the annual vessel pass at any open entrance station or online at pay.gov. Please visit our Fees & Passes page for more information.
Boat RampsSince 2000, there have been many changes to boat ramp access on Lake Mead due to fluctuating water levels in the reservoir. When the reservoir was full, there were 10 boat ramps and 6 marinas in operation. As water levels declined over the last 25 years, the National Park Service (NPS) has had to move, create new ramps, and sometimes abandon ramps because of topography and available funding. For example, the Government Wash boat ramp had been in operation until September 2001, when water levels declined below 1,178 ft and the topography made the cost of extending the boat ramp unfeasible. Currently, there are 5 launch ramps and 3 marinas in operation on Lake Mead which are anticipated to remain open and operational for water-based recreation services through the calendar year. They provide access to 200,000 acres of water and nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline around America’s largest manmade reservoir The two primary limitations to extending boat ramps are topography (a land area’s physical features) and funding. The NPS constructed and maintained concrete boat ramps when the water was higher, and funding and operational access was more easily attainable. When water levels declined at unprecedented rates, some boat ramps could not be extended because the topography changed dramatically, and the construction of extensions was either not possible or cost prohibited. The park found new areas to provide lake access for motorized boats but in each of these cases, that meant constructing new roads and utility systems, as well as moving entire marinas. With extensive public input, the NPS developed a recreation plan to maintain motorized recreational boating access and associated amenities at five priority launch ramp locations on Lake Mead. In November 2023, the NPS signed a “Low Water Plan” that plans water access down to approximately 1,000 ft, where funds and topography allow. Below that, and in areas where topography allows and future funding is available, the NPS would attempt to maintain boat ramp access to 950 feet, which is minimum power level for Hoover Dam. The plan also sought to ensure recreational resources and services are provided for a safe, responsible, and enjoyable park experience for other visitors.
Nevada
The launch ramps, water and land based recreational services, and concession amenities are unique at each site based largely on the topography of each location. You can learn more about this planning effort on our website’s “Planning” page. · Sustainable Low Water Access Plan - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) The park has removed some original ramps where they had funds and were environmentally and operationally able to do so, including sites like Echo Bay and Government Wash. However, the removal process takes significant time, money, and resources and the park’s current priority is maintaining and improving the ramps that are still accessible.
The 2023 “Low Water Plan” focuses on maintaining the five priority launch ramp locations and supporting recreational services on Lake Mead. While rising water levels may support the re-opening of currently closed launch ramps, ramp use and access is determined by things like area topography, shoreline erosion, launch ramp incline, and water level projections. Before reopening, staff would need to complete maintenance operations to ensure ramps, docks, and the surrounding areas are safe and secure for launching and retrievals.
The NPS does not control the water management of the Colorado River. Lake Mead NRA is dedicated to the safe and responsible access to the reservoir for water-based outdoor recreational enjoyment. Operational water decisions are made by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) under several interstate agreements and a treaty with Mexico. The BOR must balance the needs for power generation, flood control, navigation, water storage, and power generation.
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Last updated: August 19, 2025