Las Vegas Area Travel Guide (Part 3)

The Las Vegas Area Travel Guide is a resource for Las Vegas visitors who wish to sample the Southwest's great scenery and outdoor recreation. All destinations within the guide are no more than five hours' drive from Las Vegas. Included are sites close to Las Vegas, such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Red Rock Canyon, Arizona locales (including Grand Canyon, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, Historic Route 66), Utah (Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park), and California (Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve). Details include descriptions and links to many references. Notable Las Vegas attractions also are included.

Navigating the Guide

Open the Locater Map by clicking on image at right. Place your mouse pointer on any map icon. A brief description will appear. Click on the link in the icon info window for details. You may also use the Pull-Down Menu or the Las Vegas Area Travel Guide Index at the bottom of the page.

Las Vegas Area East - Lake Mead and Valley of Fire

This symbol indicates links into the American West Travelogue.

Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire may each be toured as a day trip by Las Vegas visitors.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area consists of immense Lake Mead, formed behind spectacular Hoover Dam, and the smaller Lake Mojave to the south. The focus here is all manner of outstanding water recreation ranging from fishing to houseboating to water sports such as kayaking or water skiing. During the cooler months, hiking and auto touring away from the water are excellent, featuring deep canyons, dry washes, sheer cliffs, distant mountain ranges, as well as wildlife and unusual desert plants. Nevada's popular Valley of Fire State Park is near the Echo Bay Marina at the north end of Lake Mead. The Northshore Road offers picnic areas and great scenery. The numerous marinas on the two lakes offer services ranging from boat launches, food, lodging, campgrounds, and boat rentals. Cruises and tours are also available (see below). Lake Mojave, convenient to popular Laughlin, Nevada, is a favorite destination for young people during Spring Break. Visit time: a day to drive the scenic road, several days to enjoy the lakes. Very easy access from Las Vegas. A list of area highlights:

• Hoover Dam. One of world's most photogenic and historic dams.
• Temple Bar Area. Convenient to US-93 in Arizona, Temple Bar offers lodging, camping, restaurants, a marina and full range of services.
• Lake Mojave / Laughlin Area. A popular spring break destination, Lake Mojave offers full services including watercraft rentals ranging from personal watercraft to houseboats. Convenient to Laughlin, Nevada and Kingman, Arizona.
• Northshore Road / Overton Arm Area. One of the area's most scenic drives, the Northshore Road offers access to picnic areas, the marinas of the Overton Arm (Echo Bay and Overton Beach), and Valley of Fire State Park. Convenient to Las Vegas.

Lake Mead links:

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area (National Park Service)
• Lake Mead Activities (National Park Service)
• Lake Mead Cruises
• American Southwest: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Information/Tours: Hoover Dam (Bureau of Reclamation)

Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada's oldest state park, Valley of Fire preserves a starkly beautiful section of the Mojave Desert noted for its brilliantly red sandstone formations including cliffs and petrified sand dunes. The red color is enhanced late in the day, near sunset. There are also petrified logs and ancient petroglyphs. Activities here include hiking, auto touring, and photography. There is a visitor center and campground. Valley of Fire is near the north end of Lake Mead, and easily accessed from Las Vegas, 55 miles north in Interstate-15. Visit time: a good day trip from Las Vegas, or a short stopover on the way to the Utah national parks.

• Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada Parks)
• American Southwest: Valley of Fire State Park

Las Vegas Area Travel Guide Index

• Hoover Dam, Northern Arizona, Route 66, Grand Canyon
• City of Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Area - East (Lake Mead / Valley of Fire)
• Las Vegas Area - West (Red Rocks / Mt. Charleston)
• Utah National Parks Loops
• Death Valley Area and Mojave National Preserve
• Travel Itineraries

• Northern Arizona
• Grand Canyon Area
• Southern Utah
• Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
• Lake Powell