City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona
Lake Mead has the unique distinction of living within two states, Clark County, Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona. The lake offers the background of canyons, coves, cliffs, boulders and rushing rivers. Visitors enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing from private boat slips for rent.
Located along the Colorado River, the reservoir was formed by Hoover Dam. Lake Mead has 750 miles of shoreline, making it a prime spot for marinas, private boat docks for rent and lakeside activities. It’s the largest reservoir in the U.S. by water capacity and an excellent destination for boaters and watersports enthusiasts.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Photo: Wikimedia
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a popular place for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling, hunting, camping and even diving at Black Canyon. It’s America’s first national recreation area and the largest. The park’s 1.5 million acres are filled with canyons, mountains, valleys and two lakes – Lake Mead and the sandy coves of Lake Mohave.
Take note: Along with boats, sailboats and pontoon boats, jet skis with four-stroke engines and two-strokes that meet EPA 2006 emission standards are allowed on Lake Mead. Carbureted two-stroke engines are not allowed.
St. Thomas Ghost Town
Photo: Wikimedia
Is it even possible to go west without visiting a ghost town? No, the answer is no. The St. Thomas Ghost Town, located within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, is an interesting one to check out from a private boat lift rental. Once 60 feet below the surface of the water, severe droughts in Lake Mead have made it visible.
Founded in 1865, the town went underwater in the 1930s when Hoover Dam was built. It had been a stopping point along the Arrowhead Trail for travel between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. It’s in the northern part of the park along the Muddy River.
Valley of Fire State Park
Photo: Sandy Allen
Valley of Fire State Park is a must-do on any Lake Mead vacation whether you’re staying at a hotel, marina or private boat dock rental. The park encompasses 40,000 acres of beautiful bright red Aztec sandstone. Take in the cool factor of getting up close to 2,000-year-old petroglyphs. The Visitor Center has exhibits and displays on the geology, history and ecology of the area. You can drive through the park or pull over and walk along boulder-lined trails.
Hoover Dam
Photo: Wikimedia
The famous concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon on the Colorado River, known as Hoover Dam, was built between 1931 and 1936. The hydroelectric power plant offers self-guided and guided tours where you’ll get 360-degree views of the Colorado River, Lake Mead and the Dam itself. You can also book a guided tour of the power plant where you can walk through construction tunnels, see commercial generators and feel water vibrating through pipes at the viewing platform. Be forewarned: there are a lot of “dam” jokes as you take a “dam” tour. Puns intended, of course.
Don't miss the chance to walk across the Hoover Dam and the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, the arch bridge that connects the states of Arizona and Nevada, before heading back to a private boat slip for rent. Unfortunately, there aren’t words indicating the state borders like in some movies. Sorry for the disappointment.
Boulder City – Hoover Dam Museum
Photo: Wikimedia
If you’re looking for something to do from a private boat dock for rent, head to the Boulder City – Hoover Dam Museum. Peruse photographs, artifacts and exhibits about the construction of Hoover Dam and Boulder City and the people who constructed them. The museum is located on the first floor of the Boulder Dam Hotel (Hoover Dam was originally called Boulder Dam) and is free to visit.
Nevada State Railroad Museum
Photo: Nevada State Railroad Museum (Facebook)
The Nevada State Railroad Museum, in Boulder City, is all about preserving the history and education of the Nevada Southern Railway system. Check out vintage trains and take a railroad ride along historic tracks. We think it’s a super fun place to visit from a private boat lift for rent.
Lost City Museum – Archaeology
Photo: Lost City Museum - Archaeology (Facebook)
The Lost City Museum – Archaeology features Anasazi Indian artifacts and displays. Enjoy unique displays of baskets and pottery as well as exhibits on the transition of the area’s climate, human activity and more from the Pleistocene era to the present. The Fay Perkins Gallery is an actual excavation site from the 1930s. It’s a terrific way to learn about the various stages of archaeology.
We hope you’ve discovered a few Lake Mead activities and attractions to add to your private boat slip rental itinerary. Let us know your favorites!
