National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a National Recreation Area in Arizona, Nevada. The NPS currently lists 2 active alerts (1 closure), 16 campgrounds and 2 visitor centers; entrance fees start at $15.
ArizonaNevada National Recreation Area America the Beautiful pass accepted
Updated · NPS Data API
“Experience outdoor thrills, striking landscapes, and brilliant blue waters. This year-round recreation area spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast reservoirs. Visitors come here for scenic drives, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and much more.”
Active alerts
2
Closures
1
Campgrounds
16
Visitor centers
2
2 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 1 closure, 0 danger, 1 caution and 0 information.
Closure
The Government Wash campground and 8.0 Mile Road are anticipated to reopen in late November to vehicle access and overnight camping. This alert will be updated once the reopening date has been set.
Posted or updated Oct 14, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov
Caution
Harmful Algae Blooms may be seen throughout Lake Mohave. To reduce health risks, the National Park Service recommends recreators limit body contact with these waters when algae is present. Please click here for pictures of this dangerous cyanobacteria and contact the Park at 702-293-8990 for updates on this advisory.
Posted or updated Oct 25, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov
Lake Mead National Recreation Area has entrance and lake use fees. The Lake Mead Annual Entrance Pass and Lake Mead Annual Vessel fees can be paid and purchased for online or at one of our entrance stations.
| Fee | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $25 | Admits a private non-commercial vehicle for 1-7 days. Buy online |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $20 | Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Buy online |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15 | Admits a single individual walking/bicycling for 1-7 days. |
| Entrance - Non-commercial Groups | $15 | Admits vehicles at the per person rate for groups using vehicles for 12 or more people. |
| Entrance - Education/Academic Groups | Free | Admits education/academic groups as long as a fee waiver form is filled out and approved. |
| Commercial Entrance - Sedan | $25 | Admits a sedan of 1-6 people. |
| Commercial Entrance - Van | $50 | Admits a van of 7-16 persons. |
| Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus | $60 | Admits a mini-bus of 16-25 persons. |
| Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach | $150 | Admits a motor coach of 26+ persons. |
| Pass | Cost | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Entrance - Park | $45 | Recreation.gov |
The interagency America the Beautiful pass is accepted here. This park is cashless — bring a card or buy your pass online. Fee details on nps.gov
Bicyclists are welcome to ride at Lake Mead National Recreation Area on park roads and on routes designated for bicycle use. Approved backcountry roads are designated routes and are marked with a yellow arrow sign with a number on it.
4-8 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
In 2014, the Secretary of Interior designated this portion of the Colorado River as a National Water Trail, making it the first in the Southwest and the first to flow through a desert.
4-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
If Lakeshore Road is Lake Mead’s “Main Street”, Northshore Road is its scenic route. Stretching for almost fifty miles, Northshore Road winds its way from modern times next to housing developments through historic geologic periods where the landscape changed…
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
See all 34 things to do in Lake Mead →
Activities the NPS lists for Lake Mead.
Auto and ATVScenic DrivingBikingRoad BikingBoatingMotorized BoatingSailingJet SkiingBoat TourCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)Group CampingRV CampingFishingFreshwater FishingFoodDiningPicnickingFlyingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoBus/Shuttle Guided TourHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingHunting and GatheringHuntingPaddlingCanoeingKayakingStand Up PaddleboardingJunior Ranger ProgramSCUBA DivingSnorkelingSwimmingFreshwater SwimmingWater SkiingWildlife WatchingPark FilmShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs
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Lake Mead National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that while the majority of the park is accessible at all hours, our Visitor Center operates on a specific…
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | All Day |
| Tuesday | All Day |
| Wednesday | All Day |
| Thursday | All Day |
| Friday | All Day |
| Saturday | All Day |
| Sunday | All Day |
Weather: Spring (April, May and June): Daytime highs 80 °F to 98 °F. Nighttime lows 50 °F to 66 °F Summer* (July, August and September): Daytime highs 89 °F to 103 °F (It can get up to 117 °F.) Fall (October, November and…
| Visitor center | Standard hours | Phone | Passport stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mead Headquarters Information Kiosk | Mon 8:00AM - 4:00PM · Tue 8:00AM - 4:00PM · Wed 8:00AM - 4:00PM · Thu 8:00AM - 4:00PM · Fri 8:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat Closed · Sun Closed | 702-293-8906 | Yes |
| Lake Mead Visitor Center | Daily: 9:00AM - 4:30PM | 702-293-8990 | Yes |
| Campground | Total sites | Reservable | First-come | RVs | Fee | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder Beach Campground | 135 | 126 | 9 | Yes | $20 | Recreation.gov |
| Boulder Beach Group Campground | 5 | 5 | 0 | No | $80 | Recreation.gov |
| Callville Bay Campground | 52 | 0 | 52 | No | $20 | Recreation.gov |
| Callville Bay RV Park | 5 | 0 | 0 | Yes | — | — |
| Cottonwood Cove Campground | 45 | 45 | 0 | No | — | Recreation.gov |
| Cottonwood Cove RV Park | 72 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
| Echo Bay Campground | 52 | 0 | 37 | Yes | $20 | — |
| Echo Bay RV Park | 55 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
| Katherine Landing Campground | 173 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
| Katherine Landing RV Park | 24 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
| Lake Mead RV Village | 115 | 115 | 0 | No | — | Reservation site |
| Las Vegas Bay Campground | 85 | 0 | 84 | Yes | $20 | — |
| Temple Bar Campground | 71 | 0 | 0 | No | $20 | — |
| Temple Bar RV Park | 10 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
| Willow Beach Campground | 9 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
| Willow Beach RV Park | 28 | 0 | 0 | No | — | — |
Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.
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