Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Lake Mead

June 16, 2021

Lake Mead has something for everyone to enjoy from the beautiful mountains and landscape surrounding it to the fantastic experiences on the water itself. Planning a visit here means taking into consideration what you hope to see and do as well as current conditions. At Callville Bay Resort & Marina, we’ve gathered a few things you should know before heading out to this treasured desert oasis.

Latest COVID Restrictions

As most know, COVID restrictions continue to change. Before leaving for your trip, check the National Park Service website to find out what’s available and what’s closed at Lake Mead. At the current time, those who are not fully vaccinated must wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor areas. Follow the latest CDC guidelines when making determinations for trips.

Getting into the Park: What You Need to Visit Lake Mead

To get into the Lake Mead National Park, you’ll need one of several available passes (find them on the NPS website). The Lake Mead Annual Pass is one of the most common options. Discounts for seniors, volunteers and the U.S. Military are also available. Additionally, you can pick up a daily pass or other options based on your plans.

Check the Water Level

One of the most recent concerns when spending time on Lake Mead is the water level. It is a good idea to know the current conditions of the lake before you head out onto the water. Depending on the time of year and your experience, lower water levels may make it harder to launch boats at some points of the lake. You can find up-to-date information available online to help you make decisions about when to travel.

Visit the Visitors Center

If this is your first time visiting the area, make a stop at the Lake Mead Visitor Center (it is a good idea to make this stop at any time, even when you’ve visited every year!) The visitor center offers maps and lots of information. You will also find brochures for all of the available activities nearby, rules for COVID restrictions and information about the park. There are also rangers and, most times of the year, volunteers that can help you with any need you may have. If you want to take a guided tour of Lake Mead, you can find info on that as well.

Where to Stay

At Callville Bay Resort & Marina, we highly suggest that anyone visiting Lake Mead for more than a day stay on a houseboat. It is by far one of the best ways to take in everything this area has to offer. With a wide range of styles and sizes available you can fully experience nature with all the luxuries of being at home. Plus, you’re literally staying on the water, so there’s no traveling to and from the lake each day.

The Boat Situation – Getting on the Lake

For those who are visiting Lake Mead for the first time, it can be confusing to figure out how to actually get on a boat and out onto the lake. However, it’s easy to do.

You can find boats to rent at Callville Bay if you are interested in choosing from one of the many options we have at our marina. We offer small boats including ski boats, fishing boats, patio pontoon boats and a 26’ deck boat as well. If you’re not sure what to get, we’d love to suggest one for you.

You can also rent personal watercraft and ski boats as well. This is one of the best ways for you to have even more fun on the water. Here are a few tips to know before you plan your trip.

For those who want to do some paddling rather than use a motorboat, head to Black Canyon National Water Trail and Willow Beach. No vessels with motors are allowed on Sundays and Mondays in this area. It’s the perfect way to paddle through nature without disturbances.
Don’t bring any pool toys with you. They are unsafe to use on the lake. Inflatable toys blow away easily as well.
Plan to explore the lake in multiple ways. Rent a small watercraft for the day to get into some of the bays. You can do some fishing on a larger boat. Go paddling. The more ways you explore the lake, the more enjoyable this experience is going to be for you.
Go for the canoeing and kayaking experiences too. Motorized boats are fun and all, but paddling yourself into smaller coves brings out a whole new adventure.
Plan to scuba dive. Though many people do not think about this type of experience, you can rent all of the scuba equipment needed and even book a guided tour if you’d like. This is one of the best freshwater lakes in the country to scuba dive because of the clarity of the water itself.

If you have any questions about the houseboats or other boats to rent, be sure to let our team at Callville Bay provide you with the insight you need. We’re here to make the entire experience a good one.

Plan for Other Adventures as Well

Many people come for the water (for obvious reasons) but there’s much more to do at Lake Mead that is well worth exploring. Here are a few more ideas to help keep you fulfilled on your trip.

Hike. The rock formations you’ll see on one of the many hikes in the area are fascinating.
Go horseback riding. There are marked trails throughout the park for horseback riding. The backcountry is an excellent place to really explore what nature has to offer.
Camp. If you do not want to spend the whole trip on the water on a houseboat, consider camping. There are fully functional campgrounds nearby that give you everything you need to make this a fun trip.
Hunt. You will also find hunting is allowable in some areas of the park. You can trap and hunt for a range of animals in the region.
Pay close attention to the wildlife. There are some incredible animals to discover in this region. Just don’t feed them or get too close.

Whether you want to explore the area by water or by foot, Lake Mead has much to offer. It may be one of the best ways to rejuvenate yourself and become closer to nature.

At Callville Bay Resort & Marina, our team is here to help you every step of the way. Find all of the boat rentals you need, along with support for planning your trip to Lake Mead. Feel free to visit our website or give us a call today!