Lake Mead National Recreation Area was the first NRA created in the United States; it stretches from southern Nevada to northwestern Arizona, along the Colorado River. Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in the United States, the result of building controversial Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. It was completed in 1935. Various prehistoric culture groups made the Colorado River region their home 8-10,000 years ago. Some were nomadic, living in caves while other groups settled, practicing early farming and living in pit houses and Puebloan-type structures/communities. Explorers and fur traders were in the area as early as 1826. The Dam, considered an engineering marvel, is a popular tourist attraction. Tours are offered daily.

In October 2010 the longest single-span concrete arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere opened as an alternate to driving over Hoover Day. The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (Colorado River Bridge) rests on the tallest pre cast concrete columns ever constructed. Nearly 17,000 cars/trucks per day can now utilize this "shortcut" thus making it easier to get about business and pleasure agendas in Las Vegas. There is a sidewalk across the bridge on the north side where great views of Hoover Dam are possible; it's part of pedestrian and visitor amenities that include a parking lot, trail, and interpretive plaza.

Lake Mead NRA encompasses 1.5 million acres of bio diversity in varying eco systems including bays, beaches, red rock cliffs, and hundreds of miles of shoreline. The area is open year round; popular outdoor family activities include camping, biking, hiking, swimming, boating, and water sports. Fishing is very popular because of Lake Mead's plentiful fish species: bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Full-service marinas on Lake Mead include Lake Mead/Las Vegas Boat Harbor, Callville Bay Resort, Temple Bar Marina and Echo Bay Marina. Amongst them, house and day boat rentals, fuel, general store merchandise, restaurants dry storage and slip rentals are offered.

World-famous Las Vegas casinos are less than an hour's drive from Lake Mead; Phoenix and Scottsdale are 4 hours south via car. Extended visits to the region include Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Other impressive wilderness areas including Valley of Fire Nevada State Park, Black Canyon, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mohave are near Lake Mead NRA.

Alan Bible Visitor Center
601 Nevada Way
Boulder City, NV 89005
(702) 293-8990

www.nps.gov/lame/index.htm

Regional Properties
Temple Bar Marina
Black Canyon River Adventures
Callville Bay Marina
Cottonwood Cove Marina and Resort
Lake Mead RV Village
Willow Beach Marina
Echo Bay Marina

Forever Resorts is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and an Equal Opportunity Service Provider. Visit individual websites for complete concessions and management information.

© 2009 - Forever Resorts. All rights reserved.