Located in the southeast region of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is considered one of the postcards of the United States, as well as the largest artificial reservoir in the country.
The lake was created with the construction of the Hoover Dam in 1936 and is a vital source of water in the American Southwest.
If you want to know more about this tourist spot, in today's post we will cover more details about its history, differences and activities that can be done there. We hope you enjoy reading!
How did Lake Mead come to be?
Lake Mead was created in 1935, shortly after the Hoover Dam was completed, and is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of that period.
The infrastructure was built with the purpose of preventing flooding and storing water to supply drier regions of the southwestern United States, such as California and Arizona.
The reservoir, which emerged from the dam, extends for 180 kilometers along the Colorado River and covers an area of approximately 640 km², with the capacity to store 35 billion cubic meters of water.
In addition to being an essential reservoir, Lake Mead also plays an important role in tourism and leisure. One of its distinguishing features is its clear waters and steep banks, which make it an inviting place for activities such as fishing, boating, camping and hiking.
Water and energy source
This function of supplying Lake Mead is a point that draws attention, mainly due to the relevance that this function has throughout the country.
It provides water to approximately 25 million people in areas such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and much of the South. In addition, the reservoir plays an important role in local agriculture, providing irrigation for thousands of acres of farmland.
Another important contribution of Lake Mead is the electrical energy generated by the Hoover Dam because, through this production, it is possible to supply homes in Nevada, Arizona and California, thus becoming an important energy infrastructure for the region.
What stands out about Lake Mead?
Visiting Lake Mead is a unique tourist experience, especially due to the wide range of possibilities that the place offers. Check out some of the attractions of the place!
Natural beauty
Lake Mead draws attention for its lush landscape, as it is surrounded by mountains and gorges that create landscapes that are impressive in their beauty.
It is worth noting that the contrast between the blue waters and the arid desert landscape provides a sensational view, making it the ideal place for incredible photographs.
Water activities
Lake Mead is also the perfect place for water sports enthusiasts, as visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, water skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, kayaking, and more.
For these tours, the location has infrastructure to rent equipment, thus facilitating the practice of these activities.
Hiking
In addition to water rides, around Lake Mead there are trails with different levels of difficulty, ideal for those who enjoy hiking and trekking.
Popular trails include the Historic Railroad Trail and the River Mountains Loop Trail, which offer stunning views of the lake and Hoover Dam. There are also trails that allow you to explore fascinating geological formations and lesser-known sites in the park.
Proximity to the dam
In addition to the beautiful scenery and sports activities, the proximity to the Hoover Dam is another advantage of this tour.
The dam draws attention for its structure and visitors can take guided tours to understand more about its history, function and impact on the region.
How to get to Lake Mead?
The drive to the site is relatively easy, especially since Lake Mead is very close to Las Vegas, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations. For those leaving Sin City to the site, the drive takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
However, for those who do not want to drive, it is possible to hire private transport services such as taxis and app drivers, not to mention the tourist excursions that are carried out to the location.
Conclusion
As we have shown so far, in addition to its function of assisting people with basic items such as water and energy, Lake Mead is a tourist attraction for those traveling to Las Vegas and wanting to see incredible places in the surrounding area.
However, to organize this tour, it is worth counting on specialized help from companies that understand the subject. If you liked the content and want to know more tips on how to visit tourist attractions near Las Vegas, talk to our experts.
EN 
PT_BR 
ES