People come from all over the world to experience the excitement of Sin City. However, there’s so much more to Southern Nevada than the Las Vegas Strip! If you’re looking for fun and unique things to do near Las Vegas, Lake Mead is the perfect getaway you should add to your itinerary. Here’s everything you need to know about Lake Mead day trips from Las Vegas and other awesome Las Vegas tours.
What is Lake Mead?
Lake Mead is a man-made lake formed by the Hoover Dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona. It holds the majority of municipal water for Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and other neighboring cities and states.
By volume, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, with several deep basins that can hold an impressive amount of water. There are several areas and shorelines throughout the Lake Mead National Recreation Area that are worth visiting if you want to see a different side of Las Vegas.
Is Lake Mead close to Las Vegas?
Lake Mead is only about 25 to 30 miles east of the Las Vegas Strip, making it the ideal place to visit for the day. Depending on where you’re coming from on the Strip, the drive will take you anywhere from 40 minutes to one hour to get to Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Keep in mind that you will need to purchase an entrance pass to enter Lake Mead, which is generally between $15 and $25 per vehicle.
For the quickest way to get to Lake Mead from Las Vegas, take I-15 south to I-215 and head east for about 11 miles. Then, merge onto I-11 S toward Boulder City. After about eight miles, use exit 15B for US-93 Business/Boulder City Parkway. Continue on Boulder City Parkway for about 10 miles before turning left on Lakeshore Road. Follow Lakeshore Road to the different shorelines along Lake Mead.
Don’t have a car? Not to worry! There are several tours from Las Vegas that will pick you up directly from your hotel to explore the beauty of Lake Mead and other parts of the southwest, including the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. This way, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride with a professional tour guide to take you through the sites. Check out Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas with stops at Lake Mead and Hoover Dam to make the most of your visit!
Book your Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas with Gray Line today!
Is Lake Mead worth visiting from Las Vegas?
Lake Mead is definitely worth the visit if you enjoy outdoor activities, want to add a new adventure to your Las Vegas trip, or simply want to take a break from the crowds on the Strip. You’ll also get stunning views of the southwest landscapes and the sparkling Colorado River, which are great photo opportunities for you and your group. Even if you’re short on time and only have a few free hours on your schedule, Lake Mead is the ideal destination.
What are the popular things to do at Lake Mead?
If you plan to visit Lake Mead, this stunning reservoir on the Colorado River is where people can enjoy outdoor activities and some of the best Lake Mead things to do, including:
You will also have a chance to see the Hoover Dam from a different perspective when you explore Lake Mead. Book a Lake Mead cruise, take in the sun at one of the beaches, or have a fun family picnic before heading back to Las Vegas.
Interesting facts about Lake Mead
There is actually a lot of interesting history and facts about Lake Mead that may entice you to want to visit while you’re in Las Vegas. For one, because Lake Mead is a man-made reservoir, there is little native wildlife in the water. In fact, the razorback sucker fish is the only native species found in Lake Mead. However, there is an abundance of other types of fish that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released into the lake.
Also, Lake Mead overtook the town of St. Thomas when the reservoir was flooded from the construction of the Hoover Dam. You can still see some artifacts, ruins, and remnants of the little town that the National Park Service preserves.
Another interesting fact is that a World War II plane is submerged in the lake and sits hundreds of feet below the surface. You can even scuba dive to those depths to explore the wreckage of the B-29 plane!
What are other unique trips to take from Las Vegas?
While Lake Mead is one of the best side trips to take while visiting Las Vegas, there are other scenic and enticing drives and tours near Las Vegas to experience. Be sure to check out:
- Red Rock Canyon
- Hoover Dam
- Mount Charleston
- Valley of Fire
- Seven Magic Mountains
- Area 51
- Grand Canyon West Rim
- Grand Canyon South Rim
Book your Grand Canyon bus tour from Las Vegas!
Check out Lake Mead with Gray Line Las Vegas!
Leave the driving to us by booking your Lake Mead tour with Gray Line. When you book tours from Las Vegas with Gray Line, our comfortable buses will pick you up and drop you off at your Las Vegas hotel, so you don’t have to worry about transportation to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, or the Grand Canyon. Check out our Las Vegas tours and reserve your seat today!