A QUICK VIEW OF THE AREA LAKE MEAD Lake Mead National Recreation Area consists of two vast blue lakes and the surrounding terrain of brilliantly colorful NATIONAL RECREATIONAREA desert, lofty plateaus, and narrow, deep canyons. It extends for 240 miles from Grand Canyon National Mon- • Open All Year • ument on the east to the Colorado River below Davis Dam on the south. Within this stretch you will find 93 miles of the famed Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. Contents The altitudinal range is great, extending from 517 feet along Page the Colorado River below Davis Dam to 6,140 feet on Price WELCOME 2 Butte on the Shivwits Plateau, north of the Colorado River. A QUICK VIEW OF THE AREA 3 The area contains more than 3,000 square miles and extends into Arizona and Nevada. The Colorado River, over much of SOME THINGS To Do AND SEE 3 its course through the area, serves as the boundary between the RECREATIONAL FACILITIES 8 two States. NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES 12 Lake Mead is created by Hoover Dam. At capacity, it is the largest artificial body of water in the world by volume. It has .; REACHING LAKE MEAD AND LAKE MOHAVE 12 a shoreline of 550 miles, a length of 115 miles, a maximum WHEN To VISIT THE AREA. 12 depth of 589 feet, and backs into the lower part of the Grand INDIANS DWELT HERE 13 Canyon of the Colorado for more than 40 miles. Lake Mead passes through Iceberg, Virgin, and Boulder Canyons and into HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS . 15 the upper end of Black Canyon. It opens out into several STORIESIN STONE . 15 wide basins such as Gregg's, Virgin, and Boulder. Extending DESERT DWELLERS. 18 northward from the Virgin Basin is the Overton Arm. Lake Mohave is a narrow lake, 67 miles long. It has been MISSION 66 . 20 formed behind Davis Dam, which is 67 miles downstream TIPS FOR YOUR SAFETY 20 from Hoover Dam. You will find some of the more spec- PLEASE KEEP IN MIND 24 tacularly beautiful scenes of the region along the shores of this lake and within the depths of Black Canyon. Lake Mead National Recreation Area was established on WELCOME October 13, 1936, and was expanded on July 18, 1947, by an interbureau agreement between the National Park Service and Welcome to the scenic attractions and the varied recreational the Bureau of Reclamation, approved by the Secretary of the opportunities found in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Interior. Both agencies are part of the United States Depart- We hope that you will have a pleasant time amid the colorful ment of the Interior. Under this agreement, the Bureau of desert landscapes and on the clear waters of Lake Mead and Reclamation administers Boulder City, Davis City, Hoover Lake Mohave. Employees of the National Park Service are Dam, and Davis Dam, all of which were built by that agency. here to help you have a safe and enjoyable vacation. When The National Park Service administers Lake Mead National you need further information or other assistance, ask a park Recreation Area and supervises the activities, plans, and devel- ranger or call at the administration office in Boulder City or at opments within the area. the district ranger stations at Boulder Beach, Katherine, Over- ton, and Temple Bar. SOME THINGS TO DO AND SEE T he National Park Service, which administers this Within Lake Mead National Recreation Area you will have area, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, a multitude of things to do and see. Listed below are a few and historic heritage of the United States for the bene- suggestions. fit and enjoyment of its people. • Visit Hoover and Davis Dams. Bureau of Reclamation guides conduct tours daily through Hoover Dam from 8 a. rn. 2 3 to 5 p. m. On this trip you will become better acquainted with lifeguards are on duty. Caution should be exercised when Hoover Dam, one of the seven engineering wonders of the swimming in other areas. world. Self-guided tours are maintained at Davis Dam each • Boating is enjoyable all year round on both lakes. Public day. launching ramps are provided at many spots around both lakes. • Interpretive Services. Evening illustrated programs are Boats and motors may be rented or purchased from conces- presented at the Boulder Beach Campground throughout 1:he sioners. Larger boats are available for charter at the Lake year. See posted schedules for current times and topics. Mead Marina. Mooring facilities for privately owned boats Exhibits explaining features of the area are on display at are available at concession sites. Monthly charge for this Boulder Ranger Station, Overton Ranger Station, Lakeview service is determined by the length of the craft. Point, Hoover Dam Exhibit Building, Katherine, and in the For public safety and health, specific regulations affecting Administration Office in Boulder City. water safety, sanitation, navigation, and boat operations must The Lost City Museum at Overton, Nev., features the story be observed. Houseboats are not permitted. of prehistoric life. It is maintained by the State of Nevada. • Swimming. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are ideal for This is your Recreation Area. swimming many months of the year, but waters of the upper Please help to keep it and its facilities clean. section of Lake Mohave are extremely cold at all seasons. Pub- Place all litter in waste containers. lic swimming beaches are available during the summer season at Please don't be a Litterbug! Boulder Beach, Las Vegas Bay, Overton, Katherine, and Cot- "Let no one say, and say it to your shame, tonwood Cove as water conditions permit. Diving floats and that all was beauty here until you came." safety lines are provided. At several of the beaches, official Along the open road to Eldorado Canyon and Lake Mohave. Fortification Hill overlooks swimming on Lake Mead. • Fishing. You can fish throughout the year within Lake garbage and empty cans in receptacles, or bury the material if a Mead National Recreation Area. A fishing license from either container is not provided. State laws require that camps along Nevada or Arizona is required. To the license must be affixed Lake Mead and Lake Mohave must be located at least 200 feet a special use stamp from the opposite State. Before fishing in from the water's edge. either lake, check current regulations for catch limits. • Hiking and Exploring. Except during the warmer sum- • Water-skiing is rapidly increasing in popularity on Lake mer months, the area. is an excellent spot for hiking and Mead and Lake Mohave. Several concessioners have equip- exploring. Water is scarce in many locations, however, so you ment for rent. should check on possible sources in advance. • Skindiving. You may skindive on either lake, but you are advised to use caution when engaging in this sport. Stay • Motoring. There are hundreds of miles of roads which away from swimming beaches and harbors. will lead you to interesting spots. Many are paved, others are graded, and some are "low standard" desert auto trails. • Cruises on Lake Mead. Cruises leave Lake Mead Marina Check with park rangers on current road conditions before dock daily. On these cruises you have an opportunity to be- starting off the paved roads unless you are familiar with the come better acquainted with a part of Lake Mead. During country or desert driving. the summer, a park naturalist goes along on many of the trips Two miles beyond Hoover Dam on the Arizona side, a graded to tell you about the features observed. Inquire for current dirt road leaves the Kingman Highway. It winds for four time schedule and rates. colorful miles down to the shore of Lake Mead at the base of • Camping. Automobile camping is confined to designated Fortification Hill in the vicinity of the Paint Pots. campgrounds, except when it is necessary to make camp on trips Fifty miles beyond Hoover Dam, a graded road leaves King- to isolated areas. Keep your campsite clean and sanitary, place man Highway and travels about 50 miles northward to Pierce 6 7 Ferry. At Pierce Ferry you will discover an excellent view of formation and ranger station. The campground is equipped the Colorado River and the Grand Wash Cliffs. Along the with modern comfort stations, tables, fireplaces, waste recepta- route you can obtain a scenic view of Gregg's Basin on Lake cles, and water hydrants. Shade trees and shrubs make this Mead. The road passes through one of the largest forests of campground an attractive oasis at any time. Joshua-trees to be found in the entire Southwest. Concessioner Facilities: Lakeshore Trailer Village. Trailer Ask a park ranger about other interesting spots to visit. spaces and store. Lakeshore Beach House. Refreshments, showers, change rooms, and bathing suits. Lake Mead Lodge. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Overnight units. Lakeview dining room and cocktail lounge. Outdoor swimming pool. Lake Mead Marina. Daily cruises The National Park Service and its concessioners have devel- on Lake Mead. Refreshments. Boat and motor rentals and oped recreational facilities for your convenience and enjoyment. services, moorings, gasoline, and oil. Water-skiing equip- ment and instruction. Fishing licenses, tackle, and bait. On Lake Mead Four main developed sites are along Lake Mead at the fol- • Las Vegas Bay (13 miles from Boulder City, 10 miles from lowing locations: Henderson, Nev.). • Boulder Beach (6 miles from Boulder City, Nev.). Free Facilities. Picnic area, swimming beach (lifeguards on Free Facilities, Swimming beach (lifeguards are on duty dur- duty during the summer), public campground (under con- ing the summer), picnic area, boat dock, launching ramps, in- struction), launching ramp.