Bike the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail
The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail features incredible vistas of Lake Mead and Boulder Basin and five tunnels – each approximately 25 feet wide.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
National Recreation Area · AZ, NV
Things to do in Lake Mead
The National Park Service lists 34 things to do at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 0 have no extra fee, 33 need no reservation, and 34 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Bike the River Mountains Loop Trail
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
Black Canyon National Water Trail
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
Drive along Northshore Road
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
Hike the Arizona Hot Springs Trail
Arizona Hot Spring trail is strenuous and can be combined to make a loop going down a 20-foot ladder to the White Rock Canyon trail. With a 750-foot elevation change and some steep scrambling, this hike is considered very strenuous.
4-8 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Bluffs Trail
Bluffs Trail overlooks the Las Vegas Bay and Las Vegas Wash, where visitors can see a stark contrast in vegetation between wet and dry areas.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
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Hike the Callville Summit Trail
From the summit, take in stunning views looking over Callville Bay and beautiful blue Lake Mead.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Goldstrike Canyon Trail
This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River and Hoover Dam.
4-8 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Historic Railroad Trail
The Historic Railroad Trail features incredible vistas of Lake Mead and Boulder Basin and five tunnels – each approximately 25 feet wide.
1-4 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Lake View Trail
Lakeview hiking trail allows visitors to explore the beautiful mountainous landscape and the desert flora and fauna including creosote, brittle bush.
1-4 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Liberty Bell Arch Trail
While there is no river access on this trail, hikers are rewarded throughout their adventure with geological highlights, remnants of a historic magnesium mine going back to the days of WWII, and a fantastic panoramic view overlooking the Colorado River from…
4-8 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Lone Palm Trail
This strenuous hike leads through a scenic canyon to natural hot springs and offers views of the Colorado River at the end of the trail.
4-8 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Northshore Summit Trail
A perfect place to take in the desert in all its vastness and striking colors.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Owl Canyon Trail
Owl Canyon Trail narrows and deepens into a slot canyon with 100-foot vertical walls in the most confined section.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Redstone Trail
The fiery eroded formations on this trail were once part of a vast desert landscape.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the River Mountains Loop Trail
The River Mountains Loop Trail is a non-motorized, paved trail provides visitors with an extensive trail loop offering scenic views, plentiful wildlife, and the vast beauty only the Mojave Desert can offer.
4-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the St. Thomas Trail
Today, remnants of the town are now visible thanks to the lowering water levels of Lake Mead.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the Wetlands Trail
The Wetlands Trail follows a dry dirt trail down to the flowing Las Vegas Wash, where water from the Las Vegas Valley dispenses into Lake Mead and shapes the landscape through erosion.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike the White Rock Canyon Trail
Follow this meandering canyon down as it compresses and loosens until it finally opens to reveal the mighty Colorado River.
4-8 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at 33 Hole Overlook
Enjoy a picnic with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Bay and the Black Mesa. 33 Hole Overlook Picnic area features 9 picnic tables, 9 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Blue Point Spring
Blue Point Spring picnic area features 1 picnic table with mountainous landscape views. There are no restrooms, drinking water, or grills.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Boulder Beach
Enjoy a picnic while looking out at Boulder Basin and Fortification Hill. Boulder Beach Picnic Area features 54 picnic tables, 18 grills, restrooms and drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Callville Bay
Callville Bay picnic area features 8 picnic tables, 8 grills, restrooms, and drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Cottonwood Cove
Cottonwood Cove picnic area features 14 picnic tables, 10 grills, restrooms, and drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Echo Bay
Echo Bay picnic area features 2 picnic tables and restrooms. There are no grills or drinking water at this location.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Katherine Landing
Katherine Landing picnic area features 10 picnic tables, 6 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Las Vegas Bay
Las Vegas Bay picnic area features 18 picnic tables, 8 grills, restrooms, and drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Longview Overlook
Longview Picnic Area is a great spot to stop and have a picnic at along Lakeshore Road. This picnic area features 3 picnic tables, 3 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Princess Cove
Princess Cove picnic area features 6 picnic tables and 6 grills. This location does not have restrooms or drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Redstone
Redstone Picnic Area is nestled in the Pinto Valley Wilderness, along Northshore Road. Redstone picnic area features 3 picnic tables, 3 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Rogers Spring
Rogers Spring picnic area features 4 picnic tables, 4 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Year-round Reservation required Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at South Arizona Telepone Cove
South Arizona Telephone Cove picnic area features 6 picnic tables. This location does not have grills, restrooms, or drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Temple Bar
Temple Bar picnic area features 10 picnic tables, 6 grills, and restrooms. This location does not have drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Picnic at Willow Beach
Willow Beach picnic area features 9 picnic tables, 5 grills, restrooms, and drinking water.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Lake Mead. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — things to do on nps.gov