How to Explore Lake Mead from Las Vegas

If you are in Las Vegas and looking for something other to do during the day than hitting the casinos, try exploring Lake Mead. From any Strip casino the lake is less than 45 minutes away.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A car
• A roadmap

1. Arrive at Lake Mead. I would suggest heading south to Boulder City and entering Lake Mead Recreation Area from there. Just south of the recreation area is Hoover Dam. Although the traffic can really back up around the dam, it is worth the time.

2. Visit the marina. Especially if you have small children along, a visit to the marina is a great stop. You can buy popcorn for the kiddies to feed to the carp that are abundant around the marina. The kids never fail to find this amusing.

3. Follow Lake Shore Drive. This drive will give abundant views of both the lake, and the desert surrounding it. There as many pull outs for taking photos. Please obey the speed limits, and try not to backup traffic on the road.

4. Exit through the Valley of Fire. Valley of Fire State Park has awesome red sandstone rock formations. The park also has picnic areas and restrooms.

5. Return to Las Vegas. Taking I-15 south to Las Vegas, you should arrive back to your casino in less than 45 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• This drive is a day trip. You should probably allot at least 5 hours minimum for the entire trip.
• Although all of these roads are well traveled, please bring drinking water with you. It's a desert out there!

[waiting4rain]

on 12/31/2008 I love it that the link for Travel Nevada on this page has a symbol for a short A in the word "Nevada" in their logo. Yes, it's A as in flat.