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.

 

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 Locations

 

All of the Lake Mead beaches described below are adjascent to one another along an approximately 2-mile span of shoreline located to the northwest of Hemenway Harbor. There are a series of dirt roads that access each of the beaches.

Be aware that as the water recedes in this location saturated mud may cause vehicles or people to get stuck close to the shoreline. Carefully test the ground prior to driving near or wading into the water.

Boulder Beach

 

• Surface: Rocky & Mud
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: No
• Watercraft Allowed: No
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

The Boulder Swim Beach stretches along the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. Enjoy views of the basin, including the iconic Fortification Hill. Open 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Location and Directions

Located along the southwestern edge of Lake Mead near Boulder City. Enter the park at the Boulder City Entrance Station, and travel north on Lakeshore Road for two miles. Turn right. Follow the signs to the lake.

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Special Events Beach

 

• Surface: Rocky & Mud
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: No
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

Special Events beach is located between Boulder Beach and Hemenway Harbor. This beach is open to the public but is also allocated for pre-scheduled special events.

Location and Directions

Located along the southwestern edge of Lake Mead near Boulder City. Enter the park at the Boulder City Entrance Station, and travel north on Lakeshore Road for two miles. Turn right. Follow the signs to the lake.

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Canoe/Kayak Beach

 

• Surface: Rocky & Mud
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: Yes
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

Canoe/Kayak Beach is a stretch of beach designated for launching hand-propelled watercraft.

Location and Directions

Located along the southwestern edge of Lake Mead near Boulder City. Enter the park at the Boulder City Entrance Station, and travel north on Lakeshore Road for two miles. Turn right. Follow the signs to the lake.

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PWC Beach

 

• Surface: Rocky & Mud
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: No
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: Yes
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

Location and Directions

Located along the southwestern edge of Lake Mead near Boulder City. Enter the park at the Boulder City Entrance Station, and travel north on Lakeshore Road for two miles. Turn right. Follow the signs to the lake.

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Lake Mohave Locations

 

Willow Beach

 

• Surface: Rocky
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: No
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: Paddlecraft Only
• Picnic Tables: Yes
• Overnight Camping: No

Location & Directions

Located within the Black Canyon on Lake Mohave. Enter the park off U.S. Highway 93 about 12 miles south of the Hoover Dam. Travel about four miles to the developed area.

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Cottonwood Cove

 

• Surface: Sandy
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: No
• Watercraft Allowed: No
• Picnic Tables: Yes
• Overnight Camping: No

Location & Directions

Located in the Cottonwood Cove developed area on Lake Mohave near Searchlight, Nevada. From Searchlight, turn east on Cottonwood Cove Road. Travel 14 miles toward the lake.

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Princess Cove

 

• Surface: Sandy
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: Yes
• Picnic Tables: Yes
• Overnight Camping: No

Location & Directions

Located north of Katherine Landing Developed area on Lake Mohave. From Arizona Highway 68, turn north on Davis Dam Road. Turn right on Katherine Access Road. Travel for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Princess Cove Road. Travel about five miles toward the lake.

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Cabinsite Cove

 

• Surface: Rocky
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: No
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: Yes
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

Location & Directions

Located north of Katherine Landing Developed area on Lake Mohave. From Arizona Highway 68, turn north on Davis Dam Road. Turn right on Katherine Access Road. Travel for 3 miles. Turn right on Cabinsite Cove Road. Follow the signs for about 2 miles

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North Arizona Telephone Cove

 

• Surface: Sandy
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Watercraft Allowed: Yes
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

Location & Directions

Located north of Katherine Landing Developed area on Lake Mohave. From Arizona Highway 68, turn north on Davis Dam Road. Turn right on Katherine Access Road. Travel for 3 miles. Turn right on Cabinsite Cove Road. Follow the signs for about 1 mile.

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South Arizona Telephone Cove

 

• Surface: Sandy
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: No
• Pets Allowed: No
• Watercraft Allowed: No
• Picnic Tables: Yes
• Overnight Camping: No

Location & Directions

Located north of Katherine Landing Developed area on Lake Mohave. From Arizona Highway 68, turn north on Davis Dam Road. Turn right on Katherine Access Road. Travel for 3 miles. Turn right on Cabinsite Cove Road. Follow the signs for about 1.5 miles.

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Katherine Beach

 

• Surface: Sandy
• Life Jacket Loaner Station: Yes
• Pets Allowed: No
• Watercraft Allowed: Paddlecraft and Pedal Boats Only
• Picnic Tables: No
• Overnight Camping: No

Enjoy a day on the water near all of the amenities at Katherine Landing on Lake Mohave. Beach rentals, including paddlecraft, pedal boats and cabanas are available.

Location & Directions

Located within the Katherine Landing Developed area on Lake Mohave near the marina. From Arizona Highway 68, turn north on Davis Dam Road. Turn right on Katherine Access Road. Follow the road to the marina. Parking is near the picnic area.

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