Lake Mead Visitor Center

Lake Mead Visitor Center: A Gateway to Nature and History

If you are planning to visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area, don’t miss the Lake Mead Visitor Center. It is a great place to start your adventure and learn more about the park’s wildlife, history, and recreation. The visitor center is located outside the park’s entrance, so you don’t have to pay the national park fee to visit. It is open seven days a week from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

What can you do at the Lake Mead Visitor Center?

• Watch a 20-minute movie about the recreation area and its natural and cultural resources.
• Explore the exhibit room, where you can see a large relief map of the park, learn about the animals that live in Lake Mead, and discover how people have used and enjoyed the lake over time.
• Visit the gift shop, where you can buy books, maps, souvenirs, and Native American arts and crafts. Moreover, your purchases support the park’s educational programs.
• Enjoy the desert botanical garden, where you can see a variety of plants that thrive in the arid environment. Not only that, you can also spot birds and butterflies that visit the garden.
• Talk to the park staff and volunteers, who can answer your questions and provide you with information, brochures, and maps. Additionally, you can get your National Park passport stamp or become a junior ranger.

What else can you see near the Lake Mead Visitor Center?

• The Historic Railroad Trail is a 3.7-mile trail that follows the old railroad grade that was used to transport materials for the construction of Hoover Dam. You can hike or bike along the trail and enjoy the views of the lake and the dam. Furthermore, you can enter five railroad tunnels that were carved through the mountains.
• Hoover Dam is a marvel of engineering and a National Historic Landmark. You can take a tour of the dam and learn how it was built and how it generates power and water for millions of people. You can also walk or drive across the dam and see the Colorado River and Lake Mead from different perspectives.
• Boulder Beach is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and camping. You can relax on the sandy shore, cool off in the water, or enjoy the scenic views of the lake and the mountains. You can also rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and explore the lake on your own.