The scenery on flights to Las Vegas is almost always bucolic. Desert, desert and desert. But just before arriving, you can see a large amount of water enriching the scenery. And contrary to the stories and cartoons, all this water in the desert is not a mirage.
Lake Mead is the 16th largest artificial lake in the world and the largest artificial lake in the United States. It was created by damming the waters of the Colorado River for the Hoover Dam and is located on the border between the states of Nevada and Arizona. With its unique beauty, the lake covers an area of 1.5 million hectares and approximately 1,320 kilometers of coastline.
With spiky mountains, deep canyons and desert basins, it’s hard to believe that this great beauty is only a few kilometers from bustling Las Vegas. While the city of entertainment stands out for its buildings, the natural landscape of Lake Mead contrasts, making it even more surreal.
The lake is surrounded by red sandstone rocks and black lava rocks in the Black Canyon, which is about 1.6 billion years old (although some of the hills are ‘only’ 6 million years old).
On the rocks and mountains surrounding the lake there is a noticeable white mark resembling a ‘plinth’. This stain is nothing more than the mark left by the lowering of the water level. It’s a mixture of beauty and concern for the future of the region.
For nature lovers, the lake is home to many species of animals and plants, some of which are unique to the region. It provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including canoeing, scuba diving, water skiing, swimming, sport fishing, speedboat rides, jet skiing, boats, ferries, and even cruises. The tranquillity of its shores makes it ideal for hiking, cycling, rafting, picnics, meetings and much more.
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Additional information:
1 – Lake Mead is open all year round, 24 hours a day. Visitor Center is open daily between 08:00 and 16:30.
2 – To visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area a small fee is required, which is valid for up to 5 days. See the prices here!
3 – The facilities at Lake Mead includes a camping area (07 of them suitable for RVs), five marinas with boat and jet ski rentals, beaches, restaurants, snack bars and a visitor center. For more information, visit the official Lake Mead website.
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