Key information for visitorsThe National Park Service is closing the Government Wash portion of Lake Mead National Recreation Area to motor vehicle access and overnight camping beginning Aug. 1, 2024.Government Wash Road and 8.0 Mile Road—access roads into the Government Wash from North Shore Road—will be blocked, and motor vehicle access into the area will be prohibited. Hiking, biking, and shoreline access by boat for recreation within 100 feet of the shoreline will remain available. Why restrict motor vehicles and overnight camping?For over a decade, Government Wash has become increasingly popular with long-term visitors, particularly during the fall, winter, and spring. As water levels have declined, residential-type visitors have moved in, and the area does not have sufficient infrastructure, facilities, or services available to support their use. This use has resulted in natural and cultural resource damage, high rates of serious criminal activity, illegal and unauthorized road creation, and an overall declining visitor experience and negative reputation for the area.In the past five years, there have been more than 1,300 incidents in that area alone, requiring park law enforcement or firefighting personnel response. Park officials have seen unacceptable levels of resource damage and crime, which is a drain on park staffing as it draws resources from traditional high use areas. The myriad of illegal roads and long-term encampments have created an unwelcoming environment for those who recreate throughout the Government Wash area. Park officials are targeting vehicle access and overnight camping because these uses are the primary sources of damage to park resources and violations. 
What are the next steps?Lake Mead NRA leadership is committed to working with the Tribes, local community, and recreation groups to transparently develop a long-term solution that makes Government Wash an enjoyable, safe, and family-friendly visitor destination. This solution includes designated roads, camping infrastructure, and resources the park needs to protects the area’s natural beauty and preserves cultural artifacts.The closure will continue as NPS staff assess damage to cultural and natural resources, survey illegal and unapproved roads in the area, and work with the community to plan future area use options. It is a first step to address a range of challenges presented by increased unregulated visitor use in the Government Wash area. Community meetings are being planned for the fall. In the meantime, community feedback and ideas on the Government Wash area are welcome any time prior to the meetings at e-mail us. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat types of people are creating all the problems at Government Wash? It is not just who is visiting Government Wash, but also the large numbers of people visiting and overnight camping in a primitive camping area that does not have the infrastructure or capacity to support so many people. As a result, NPS staff are seeing accumulation of significant amounts of trash, human waste, illegal campfire rings, illegal roads, and other detritus in the area. There is also significant damage to natural and cultural resources, as well as web of more than 100 miles of illegal roads that make the area difficult for search and rescue efforts. Your press release mentioned a significant number of law enforcement incidents in Government Wash. Can you elaborate? Over the last few years, visitation has increased in Government Wash. NPS law enforcement personnel have similarly seen an increase in law enforcement responses, to include many that are more typical of residential activity than day-use visitation. For example, from January 2022 to February 2024, Lake Mead National Recreation Area law enforcement staff responded to more than 500 incidents at Government Wash. The incidents range from routine, low-level law enforcement activity, such as vehicle registration infractions, pets off-leash, camping violations, littering, drugs, etc., to medical and search and rescue incidents. NPS rangers have also seen an increase in more serious incidents and crimes, such as assaults, sex offenses, fugitive apprehensions, fires, suicides and other fatalities. As well, there are more than 100 miles of illegal roads created by visitors in and around Government Wash that do substantial damage to natural and cultural resource. What are your long-term plans for managing Government Wash? Lake Mead National Recreation Area staff are developing a Government Wash improvement plan with short- and long-term operations that will allow the park to reconsider area boundaries and access points, improve public and resource protection operations, and assess natural resource and compliance needs for future recreational use in the area. What kind of natural and cultural resource damage is happening at Government Wash? Many archeological sites have been documented in the Government Wash and surrounding area. Most sites have off-road vehicle tracks and/or damage from camping visitors documented in them with varying levels of disturbance. This area has unique and sensitive gypsum and cryptobiotic soils, as well as Desert Tortoise habitat, that have been destroyed from illegal roads. Gypsum soils are home to the endangered Las Vegas Bear Poppy and several other threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Cryptobiotic soils help prevent wind and water erosion and provide nutrients for desert plants. Well-developed cryptobiotic soils can take hundreds or thousands of years to form and their recovery after destruction would not happen in our lifetimes. How can I get on a list to hear about the Fall Meetings? How can I assist in the future, and can I be notified of volunteering opportunities? 
NPS/I. Morris |
Last updated: July 26, 2024