 Lake Mead National Recreation Area & Valley of Fire State Park Las Vegas Area Travel Guide - Las Vegas to Lake Meadby Joseph A. Sprince - Photography by Gerald B. AllenLake Mead National Recreation Area features giant Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam and focuses on a variety of water recreation. There are also excellent scenic drives, vista points, and picnic areas. Valley of Fire State Park is north of Lake Mead and south of Interstate-15. Nevada's oldest state park features spectacular and colorful sandstone formations and is very easily toured in an auto. Navigating the Guide - Open the Locater Map, or use the Pull-Down Menu, or the Las Vegas Area Travel Guide Index at the bottom of the page. Las Vegas Area East - Lake Mead and Valley of FireLas Vegas Hotels & Resorts What To Do in Las Vegas  This symbol indicates links into the American West Travelogue. Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire may each be toured as a day trip by Las Vegas visitors. 
Lake Mead National Recreation AreaLake Mead National Recreation Area consists of immense Lake Mead, formed behind spectacular Hoover Dam, and the smaller Lake Mojave to the south. The focus here is all manner of outstanding water recreation ranging from fishing to houseboating to water sports such as kayaking or water skiing. During the cooler months, hiking and auto touring away from the water are excellent, featuring deep canyons, dry washes, sheer cliffs, distant mountain ranges, as well as wildlife and unusual desert plants. Nevada's popular Valley of Fire State Park is near the Echo Bay Marina at the north end of Lake Mead. The Northshore Road offers picnic areas and great scenery. The numerous marinas on the two lakes offer services ranging from boat launches, food, lodging, campgrounds, and boat rentals. Cruises and tours are also available (see below). Lake Mojave, convenient to popular Laughlin, Nevada, is a favorite destination for young people during Spring Break. Visit time: a day to drive the scenic road, several days to enjoy the lakes. Very easy access from Las Vegas. A list of area highlights:
Lake Mead Links:
Valley of Fire State ParkNevada's oldest state park, Valley of Fire preserves a starkly beautiful section of the Mojave Desert noted for its brilliantly red sandstone formations including cliffs and petrified sand dunes. The red color is enhanced late in the day, near sunset. There are also petrified logs and ancient petroglyphs. Activities here include hiking, auto touring, and photography. There is a visitor center and campground. Valley of Fire is near the north end of Lake Mead, and easily accessed from Las Vegas, 55 miles north in Interstate-15. Visit time: a good day trip from Las Vegas, or a short stopover on the way to the Utah national parks. <Back to Interactive Map> | <Top of Page> Las Vegas Area Travel Guide Index
Travel Guides to Nearby Destinations
Get the Best of the West for your Vacation! Make the most of your valuable time! Purchase the American West Travel Itinerary - Trip Planner by the American West Travelogue Editor, based on over 30 years of first-hand experiences. Customized and prepackaged plans available.
|
|
New and Recent
Travel Planning Service
NEW! Check out our new and updated Prepackaged Travel Planners. More features, more details, more routes, printable maps, and reduced prices! Also, Free Canyon Country - Four Corners Map Offer.
Connect With Us
Books
The Unofficial Guide® to Las Vegas 2012
by Bob Sehlinger
Each casino reviewed in detail and ranked, from the best values to the hottest slots. Helpful hints for getting the best room and the lowest possible rate-and the inside story on packages and Internet booking. Where to find the best buffets, plus detailed reviews of more than 100 restaurants. Tips for gaining easy access to the top shows and best evening entertainment, plus reviews of each.
Fodor's Las Vegas 2012 (Full-Color Gold Guides)
by Fodor's
Fodor's helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you're at the helm, Fodor's offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. Photography
Rainbow Bridge I by Gerald Allen
The world's largest known natural bridge in its exquisite setting. Related Pages
The Mojave Desert covers most of southeastern California and Nevada. It is one of the world's most arid and warmest places, with Death Valley offering the extremes of both. The desert mountain ranges in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada provide stark and beautiful scenery.
Location
The Mojave Desert encompasses southeastern California and Nevada. Most destinations are readily accessible from Los Angeles or Las Vegas, using Interstates 10,15, and 40. Las Vegas is located on Interstate-15 in southern Nevada. Local Weather
Las Vegas, Nevada Search Our Site
|
