Lake Mead

Lake Mead is a large artificial body of water that crosses the border between Nevada and Arizona, running about 115 miles long and reaching depths of 532 feet near the dam. The water fills many side canyons and coves, creating a shoreline that can stretch over 700 miles when the reservoir is full.

When the Hoover Dam was completed in 1935, it flooded several valleys and old settlements like St. Thomas to form this reservoir. Since then, the water level has shifted many times, dropping noticeably during dry years and leaving wide bands of pale rock along the shore.

Along the water you see yachts parked next to houseboats, and fishing groups spend entire weekends in the shallow bays. Families from Las Vegas often come here to swim and barbecue, while others spend the day waterskiing or riding jetskis across the open water.

Several marinas are spread along the shoreline and offer boat rentals as well as supply stations for longer stays on the water. Campsites often sit in the coves and provide direct access to the shore, though the walking distance changes depending on how low the water is.

When the water drops, old relics appear, including a crashed bomber from 1948 and the ruins of St. Thomas with its foundation walls and bricks. Sometimes you can also see remains of roads or old boats that spent decades under the surface.