Lake Mead (formed by Hoover Dam) and Lake Mojave (formed by Davis Dam) on the Colorado River comprise this first national recreation area established by an act of Congress. These huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while Lake Mead's desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Three of America's four desert ecosystems - the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Sonoran Deserts - meet in Lake Mead NRA. As a result, this seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world.

Lake Mead NRA is home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, kit foxes, bobcats, ringtail cats, desert tortoise, numerous lizards and snakes, and a wealth of bird species. Threatened and endangered species such as the desert tortoise and peregrine falcon are found here, as well as ancient Colorado River fish species. A long geological history can be seen from the 1.8-billion year-old gneiss of Black Canyon to the lava flows capping Fortification Hill formed about 6 million years ago during the last Ice Age.

• Lake Mead -
• Lake Mojave -

• Take a drive along one of several paved roads which wind through the dramatic desert scenery of Lake Mead country. Towering, stark mountains, plateaus, desert basins of cactuses and creosote bush, and vertical-walled canyons are some of the sights motorists can discover.
• Take a hike! Short desert hikes lead to places you can never see from a car, such as the colorful sandstone formations near Redstone Picnic Area.