Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Photograph of the Hoover Dam (formerly Boulder Dam) from Across the Colorado River; From the series Ansel Adams Photographs of National Parks and Monuments, compiled 1941 - 1942, documenting the period ca. 1933 - 1942
Photograph of the Hoover Dam (formerly Boulder Dam) from Across the Colorado River; From the series Ansel Adams Photographs of National Parks and Monuments, compiled 1941 – 1942, documenting the period ca. 1933 – 1942

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, located in southern Nevada, near the Arizona border and includes Hoover Dam, the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge and the Black Canyon which is continually carved by the Colorado River. Lake Mead 4×4 trails allow the responsible back country explorer the opportunity to explore and see some of the seldom seen sights of the area.

Hoover Dam takes shape from the concrete columns in which it was poured (shot from cableway control tower downstream on Nevada rim, so looking upstream)
Hoover Dam takes shape from the concrete columns in which it was poured (shot from cableway control tower downstream on Nevada rim, so looking upstream)

Lake Mead is formed when the Hoover Damn, also known as Boulder Damn was built between 1931 and 1936 and restricted flow along the Colorado River which borders Arizona and Nevada. The wedge shaped concrete damn is 660 feet thick at the base and narrows to just 45 feet at the top. US Route 93 used to pass along the top of the damn until 2010 when the Hoover Damn Bypass Route was constructed.

The Hoover Damn bypass under construction about 2010. Photo by James L Rathbun
The Hoover Damn bypass under construction about 2010. Photo by James L Rathbun

The town of Boulder, NV was founded to support the construction efforts of the damn and still exists as a quaint town visit and for those who live there, offers some beautiful view of Lake Mead.

The surrounding areas of the National Recreation area afford the opportunity to camp, hike, picnic, fish or take a 4×4 trail.

The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada - Photo by James L Rathbun
The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada – Photo by James L Rathbun

Be aware that Lake Mead is a national recreation area.  There exist a lot of back country roads in the area, but not all of them are open. Destination4x4 strives to ensure that all of our trails are available for travel.

Lake Mead 4×4 Trails and Destinations

Lake Mead Trails

The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

Anniversary Mine and Narrows

The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada The Anniversary Mine and…

Bitter Springs

Bitter Springs is a 28 miles back country road which connects I-15 to the North shore Road highway 167 located inside Lake Mead National Recreation…
There is one steep section.

Burro Wash

My one week old, Black Jeep on our first 4x4 trail to Burro Wash This scenic backcountry adventure takes you down Burro Wash into the…
A narrow valley on the Empire Wash Trail near Lake Mojave

Empire Wash

Empire wash is a short cut from Cal Nev Ari to the Lake Mead Davis Powerline road through a narrow canyon. This offers great access…

Nellis Cove

Nellis Cove Road short east trail from Lake Mead Powerline Road to Nellis Cove on the shore of Lake Mohave, Nevada. The route is fairly…
Sandy Wash offered a nice remote beach to enjoy on Lake Mojave

Sandy Wash

Sandy Wash is a short trail which leads from the Mead Davis Power Line road down to the shore of Lake Mojave, Nevada. We opted…
The tallest building remains of St. Thomas, Nevada

St Thomas Nevada – Clark County Ghost Town

Founded in 1865 when Brigham Young sent settles to the confluence of the Virgin River and Muddy Rivers.  St Thomas Nevada remained a Mormon settlement until…

Lake Mead Campgrounds

Lake Mead NRA

Boulder Beach Campground

Lake Mead NRA Located within 45 minutes to the Las Vegas strip, Boulder Beach Campground offers a camping opportunity near the shore of beautiful Lake…
Lake Mead NRA

Callville Bay Campground

Lake Mead NRA Named for the now submerged two of Callville, Callville Bay Campground offers a unique and amazing place to strike your camp. The…
Lake Mead NRA

Echo Bay Campground

Lake Mead NRA Echo Bay Campground is located on the shores of the Lake Mead National close to Lake Mead’s Overton Arm and is found…
Lake Mead NRA

Las Vegas Bay Campground

Lake Mead NRA Las Vegas Bay Campground is one of several campgrounds in Lake Mead National Recreation Area and its situation on top of a…

Nellis Cove

Nellis Cove Road short east trail from Lake Mead Powerline Road to Nellis Cove on the shore of Lake Mohave, Nevada. The route is fairly…
Sandy Wash offered a nice remote beach to enjoy on Lake Mojave

Sandy Wash

Sandy Wash is a short trail which leads from the Mead Davis Power Line road down to the shore of Lake Mojave, Nevada. We opted…
Lake Mead NRA

Temple Bar Campground

Lake Mead NRA Lake Mead National Recreation Area, located in southern Nevada, near the Arizona border and includes Hoover Dam, the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge…

Lake Mead Ghost Towns

Call's Landing or Callville looking toward the west as it appeared in 1926 - Photo courtesy of R. F. Perkins

Callville Nevada – Colorado River Steamship Landing

Callville Nevada is a ghost town and Colorado River Steamboat port, which is now submerged below the waters of Lake Mead. Bishop Anson Call founded…

Nelson Nevada and Eldorado Canyon – Clark County Ghost Town

Rock spires carved by erosion located in Eldorado Canyon, Nelson, Nevada. The ghost town of Nelson, Nevada, which is located in Eldorado Canyon along Lake…
Rioville, Nevada also known as Bonelli's Landing, circa 1900

Rioville Nevada – Colorado Steamship Landing

Founded in 1865, Rioville, Nevada was founded by Daniel Bonelli at the confluence of the Virgin River and the Colorado River. Bonelli was a Mormon…
The tallest building remains of St. Thomas, Nevada

St Thomas Nevada – Clark County Ghost Town

Founded in 1865 when Brigham Young sent settles to the confluence of the Virgin River and Muddy Rivers.  St Thomas Nevada remained a Mormon settlement until…

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