Water in the middle of the desert
Lake Mead, formed by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, is one of the largest reservoirs in the country and sits close enough to Vegas to make a genuine change-of-pace day trip — boating, swimming and lakeside scenery that visitors rarely associate with a desert casino city.
What there is to do
Boat rentals, designated swimming beaches, and scenic overlooks are all accessible around the lake's shoreline, alongside hiking trails through the surrounding National Recreation Area.
Pairing it with Hoover Dam
Because Lake Mead sits right alongside Hoover Dam, the two combine naturally into a single day trip — see our Hoover Dam guide for how to structure the loop.