With
8 to 10 million visitors
a year, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is one of the most popular
parks in the United States.
Lake Mead is located approximately 30 miles east of the city of Las Vegas. Visitors who come to Lake Mead,
can engage in a wide variety of
activities including boating, camping, hiking, swimming, water skiing, year-round fishing and other outdoor
activities.
While the current
drought
has effected some areas drastically, Lake Mead really
has not changed that much. It has become even more interesting.
Lake Mead, was named after
Dr. Elwood
Mead,
the U.S. Reclamation Commissioner
between 1924 and 1936.
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area was established on October 8, 1964.
Lake Mead is a huge reservoir impounded by the Hoover
Dam. Over 1.5 million acres of land are dedicated to the
Lake Mead NRA.
When the Lake Mead is full, it has over 550 miles of shoreline and covers some 247 square miles.
The water part of Lake Mead NRA consists of five basins, each with its own unique features. Within these basins Lake Mead can store
up to 2 years average flow from the Colorado River.
The water part of Lake Mead NRA only occupies less than 13% of the total area of the park.
For many visitors there is a lot more to Lake Mead than just water
sports. If you plan to travel this or next year, consider
all inclusive holidays in 2012.
Lake Mead is open year round for visitors to enjoy its many recreational opportunities, wildlife and
many scenic wonders. There are several marinas located in the park that offer services such as boat
slips, boat and house boat rentals.
Within the park there are 8 campgrounds, a couple of motels and 5 RV campgrounds with hookups.
Lake Mead NRA is home to to desert animals such as the Bighorn sheep, Mule deer, Coyotes, the Kit Fox, Bobcats, Ringtail cats, the
Desert Tortoise, a large variety of birds and various reptiles such as Chuckwalla lizards, an occasional Gila Monster and several kinds of rattle snakes.
The most impressive scenic drive is along the North Shore
Road. Approximately 40 miles from Lake Mead Blvd to
Overton
Beach, this scenic
tour takes you through unforgettable desert vistas and numerous photo
opportunities. There are favorites like Rogers
Springs which an artesian spring and Redstone
which is a huge outcrop of the same red sandstone found in the Valley of
Fire. Further along the way, there is Valley of Fire State
Park, Echo
Bay Marina and Callville
Bay Marina.
A few miles past Overton Beach is the
Lost City
Museum
with its exhibits
of Virgin Anasazi remains. It
has displays of a large number of Anasazi artifacts, ceramics and a reconstruction of
a Virgin Anasazi pueblo.
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