How to Houseboat on Lake Mead

Lake Mead is a large reservoir lake in Nevada and Arizona created by Hoover Dam. Located in the Mohave Desert, Lake Mead is surrounded by a distinct red rock landscape. The lake has 550 miles of shoreline and is divided into five sections: Hoover Dam is in Boulder Basin to the far west, Virgin Basin is in the center, Overton Arm extends to the north, Temple Basin and then Gregg Basin stretch west toward the Grand Canyon. Rent a houseboat from a marina convenient to where you are traveling from.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Reserve a houseboat with Echo Bay, the northernmost marina. Located in the center of the Overton Arm, it is 70 miles from Las Vegas. They rent houseboats ranging from 43 feet that sleeps six to 56 feet that sleeps 13. Call [phone] for more information.

2. Check availability at Callville Bay Marina in Nevada, located 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. This is one of the largest inland marinas in the U.S. They have a fleet of over 60 houseboats ranging in length from 50 to 70 feet long. Call [phone] for reservation information.

3. Contact Temple Bar Marina in Arizona at [phone]. This is the closest place to rent houseboats if coming from Phoenix or Flagstaff. They rent 50-foot houseboats that sleep 8 people or 59-foot models that sleep 10 to 12.

4. Replenish gas or groceries at the Lake Mead Marina located in Boulder Basin. Nearby Las Vegas Marina has a restaurant and lounge. Expect Boulder Basin to be the busiest part of the lake.

5. Cruise around the lake and find sandy sloping beaches to moor for the night. There are many beaches surrounding the Virginia Basin.

6. Head up Temple Basin to find secluded coves or Gregg Basin for an even more remote setting. Sandy Point is a popular large beach that can get crowded on weekends.

Tips & Warnings

• It's rather cold to swim before June, but summer water temperatures reach the mid-80s. The majority of the clear water comes from melted snow in Colorado.
• Check into renting personal watercraft to tow behind your houseboat.

Resources

• Echo Bay Marina website.
• Temple Bar Marina website.
• Callville Bay Marina website.