Best Lake Mead Beaches For Swimming
Lake Mead is truly an outdoor-lovers paradise. While just a stone’s throw from Las Vegas, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is home to some of the best water destinations found in the American Southwest. And while there are those visitors who choose to set up camp at one particular beachfront, the optimal way to take in all the Lake Mead beaches and swimming hotspots is to do it on a houseboat.
With a houseboat there’s very little packing and unpacking as you hop from beach to beach. You also don’t have to worry about waking up extremely early to land a good spot on the sand since you’ll already be close by. With a Lake Mead houseboat, adventure is wherever you decide to go. To help though, here are some of the best Lake Mead beaches for swimming.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Let’s start out with the granddaddy of them all. The beauty of the national recreation area is that there are so many secluded beaches throughout the area you can stumble on your own private beach.
And is there anything better than having your own slice of paradise? Here at Callville Bay, we don’t think so. Yes, most of the secret beaches won’t have trash or bathroom options, so if you’re hoping for that, you’ll want to explore the other options we have on this list.
But in terms of tranquility, nothing beats exploring the twists and turns of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area until you find your own beach.
Boulder Beach
This beach is perfect when you want shallow water to walk in from the beach. There is a campground at Boulder Beach, so there will likely be more people here than most other destinations, but you will also have more bathroom and trash facilities here.
The beach is more on the rocky side, so make sure to pack your flip-flops. With that said, it is a wide open space which makes it fantastic for taking out any kind of swimming gear, rafts, inner tubes, or other water accessories you might want to use.
Willow Beach
This spot is away from much of the hustle and bustle of Boulder Beach and Lake Mead. Because of this, you won’t have as much traffic as some other spots, and you won’t have to share your beach with as many people.
Canoe rentals are available, and there is a campground, so you won’t be completely on your own. It has some beautiful scenery here, and as it’s further away from Las Vegas and Paradise, you won’t have as many day visitors. Thankfully, with your houseboat, you can head wherever you desire, and if a beach is full, you can simply continue on to the next destination.
Lake Mohave
This is likely as far south as you will travel while visiting Lake Mead. Because it is out of the way, unless you’re renting out your houseboat for an extended period of time (a week or more), it may be worth remaining closer to Callville Bay. However, if you do have the time, we can’t say enough good things about Lake Mohave. It’s truly spectacular.
Where many of the beaches around Boulder Bay are on the rocky side (thus the name “Boulder” Bay), these beaches are pure sand. It is also some of the deepest shades of blue water you’ll come upon, which beautifully reflects the cloudless sky above. And, because it is a national recreation area, you do have a few more amenities here than you will at some of the other locations.
Arizona Hot Springs
Many of the best beach destinations are on the Nevada side of the waterway, but the Arizona Hot Springs, located on the Arizona side, is a fantastic spot to stop at, put on your swimming suit, and enjoy life.
It’s found right on the mouth of the river leading south away from Lake Mead, but because it bottlenecks the water, it helps keep the water warmer throughout the year. So if you want some of the warmest water to swim in (or if the rest of the lake is just a little bit too cold for your taste), head over to the Arizona Hot Springs beach and drop anchor. It’s one of our favorite spots to stop by and relax.
On top of it all, because the area is a bit narrower, it brings more wildlife and vegetation closer to you, which makes it a fantastic spot to just sit back and watch the world unfold in front of you.
Early morning right before sunrise is the perfect time to wake up and watch the local animals stop by for a drink. What better way to enjoy a cup of coffee on your houseboat?
Sandy Cove
This is at the heart of the action. It has great water and plenty of beach space for you to set up a towel and your umbrella. It is one of our favorite spots during the off-season. It does fill up quickly during the summer with boats (both locals and visitors love this cove). So, if you’re planning on heading out to Sandy Cove during the summer months, you’ll want to arrive early to get a lay of the land (and water).
Of course, with that said, because you’re in a houseboat you can always head out if it’s a bit too busy for your taste. Or you can drop anchor and make some friends. One of the best ways to discover local restaurants and bars is to mingle with locals visiting the lake.
Reserve Your Houseboat Today
A houseboat combines the comfort of an RV with the thrill of a boat and wraps it into a single package. If you haven’t been on a houseboat in the past, you’re in for a real treat. It’s the ultimate in relaxation, allowing you to enjoy the deck from your boat and soak up the sun whenever you want, and you can head on in for shade and an ice-cold beverage whenever you desire.
You have just as many options for what to do on your houseboat as you do swimming destinations around Lake Mead. So whether you’re looking at beaches for dogs or you just want to drop anchor and dip your toes into some sand, if you’re planning a Lake Mead adventure, make sure you do it right with a houseboat rental from us at Callville Bay.
We specialize in all things fun, so let us help set all of this up for you. Shoot us an email or give our expert customer service staff a call here at Callville Bay today!
