Boat Lake Mead

Boating is a popular way to see portions of the park that would otherwise be inaccessible by car.

NPS/A. Cattoir

Lake Mead is a great place to be when the summer heat hits. Boaters can utilize four launch ramps to access different parts of this lake:

• Hemenway Harbor - direct access to Boulder Basin and Hoover Dam areas.
• Echo Bay - direct access to the Overton Arm 
• Callvile Bay - direct access to the narrows, and can get you to Hemenway Harbor or Echo Bay.
• Temple Bar - 

South Cove launch ramp is currently inoperable due to low water levels. 

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Before You Launch

Visitors can access Lake Mead's launch ramps with a park entrance pass. It's important to note that all watercraft must be inspected for invasive species prior to launching, and boaters should always be aware of speed limits, no-wake zones, and other regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.

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Launch Ramps

Declining water levels due to climate change and 20 years of ongoing drought have reshaped the park’s shorelines. As Lake Mead continues to recede, extending launch ramps becomes more difficult and more expensive due to the topography and projected decline in water levels. Water levels are managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

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Rent a Boat

Marinas on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave rent a variety of boats, including sports boats, pontoon boats, fishing boats, houseboats, personal watercraft and paddlecraft. They also rent water sports equipment, such as waterskis and wakeboards. For full details and to make a reservation, contact the marinas directly.

When you rent a boat, you will not need to purchase a vessel pass or AIS decal. Those are provided by the marina.

A person renting a vessel in Nevada must meet their state of residence boating education requirements. Every operator of a rental vessel is required to receive a safety briefing before operating the vessel.

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Lifejacket Requirements

All vessels, except sailboards, must have at least one Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board or being towed. This includes paddlecraft.

Children under 13 years old must wear a life jacket whenever underway in a vessel, unless they are in a fully enclosed area. Inflatable life jackets are not approved for persons under age 16.

Each person on board a personal watercraft or anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a life jacket. Inflatable life jackets are not approved for these activities.

All occupants of hand-propelled craft operating between Hoover Dam and River Mile 43 (Chalk Cliffs) on Lake Mohave are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device when underway.

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State Boating Laws

Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are located in both Nevada and Arizona. As a boater, you are responsible for complying with the laws for both states.

View the Superintendent's Compendium for park-specific boating laws.

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Current Conditions and Park Alerts

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and stay informed by checking current conditions and alerts. Be prepared for longer wait times for launching and recovery. Ongoing maintenance and construction at ramps may require temporary closures.

Details

Activity

Boating

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

Yes

To boat at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, you will need to pay an entrance pass or display a valid entrance pass to enter the park. In addition, you will also need a vessel pass for each vessel to launch. These can be purchased at park entrance stations.

Your boat must be registered and equipped with safety equipment in accordance with your state's vessel laws.

When boating in Nevada, you are required to purchase and display an AIS (aquatic invasive species) decal on your vessel (unless it is registered in Arizona). These can be purchased online at https://nevada.licensing.kalkomey.com/products.

Reservations

No

Accessibility Information

N/A

Boating Information

Who May Operate a Vessel?

In Nevada

• All persons who operate vessels powered by a motor over 15 horsepower and who were born on or after January 1, 1983, must take and pass a boater education course or proficiency exam. The course exam must be one that is approved by NDOW.

• A person operating a personal watercraft must be at least 14 years of age.

• A person operating a vessel that is towing a person on water skis, a surfboard or any other device must be:

  • At least 16 years of age or...

  • At least 14 years of age and have on board a person at least 18 years of age in a position to supervise the operator.

In Arizona
It is illegal for a person under the age of 12 to operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower (which includes personal watercraft) unless:

• An emergency exists or...

• The child's parents or legal guardian is on board or...

• Another person at least 18 years of age is on board.

Virtual Vessel Safety Check

Before you launch, make sure that your vessel meets the federal requirements below.

• Display your boat's registration numbers on each side of the forward half of the boat.

• Carry a copy of current state registration documents on board.

• You must have a properly fitting, serviceable life jacket readily available on board for all occupants.

• Have a way to make a suitable day and night distress signal (flare, strobe light, etc.)

• Keep a portable fire extinguisher on board (types required vary by vessel).

• Follow ventilation requirements for your vessel type.

• All gasoline-powered inboard/outboard or inboard motor boats must be equipped with an approved backfire flame control device.

• Carry a sound-producing device (whistle, horn, etc.) that can be heard for at least 1/2 mile.

• All boats (including paddlecraft) must be able to display navigation lights.

• Boats 26 feet and over with a machinery compartment must display an oily waste pollution placard.

• Boats 26 feet and over in length must display a "MARPOL" trash placard. Boats 40 feet and over must also display a written trash disposal plan.

• Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard approved device. Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed.

• Boats 39.4 feet and over must have on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules.

• Keep your deck free of hazards with a clean bilge.

• Protect fuses or manual reset circuit breakers from rain or water.

• Portable fuel tanks must be made of non-breakable material with a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap.

Two Stroke Vessel Regulations

No one may operate a personal watercraft that does not meet the 2006 emission standards set by EPA for the manufacturing of two-stroke engines. A person operating a personal watercraft that meets the EPA 2006 emission standards through the use of direct-injection two-stroke or four-stroke engines, or the equivalent thereof, is not subject to this prohibition and will be allowed to operate as described in this section.

See if your PWC is compliant.

Boat Storage

Marinas on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave offer both on-the-water and dry boat storage. For full details and to make a reservation, contact the marinas directly.