Located 30 miles east of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is a water lovers paradise.

Straddling the borders of Nevada, Arizona and California, the lower Colorado River system features two major lakes attracting millions of tourist each year seeking the very best in water sports, swimming, boating, camping and fishing.

Located just 30 miles east of Las Vegas is the enormous Lake Mead, the centerpiece of the 1.5 million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Created in the 1930s with the construction of Hoover Dam, it is one of the most visited recreation lakes in the Southwestern United States. Its bright blue waters are a refreshing sight in contrast to the harsh desert landscape and jagged, majestic cliffs that contain it.

The lake is popular for both motor and sail boating, primarily due to its vast size. Several marinas offer boat launch ramps and rentals for both leisure boating and water sports. Houseboats can also be rented from Forever Resorts or Seven Crown for fun family getaway, offering a chance explore the lake’s many sheltered coves, islands and beaches with all of the amenities of home. For vacationers casting a line, Lake Mead is famous for its large striped bass.

Secluded campsites can be found throughout the recreation area and can be reserved for a nominal fee. For families interested in hotel accommodations, the Hacienda Hotel & Casino is located just a few miles from Boulder Beach and the Las Vegas Boat Harbor on US Highway 93. Other hotel and motels can be found in nearby Boulder City.

The Desert Princess offers spectacular views for sightseeing and dinner cruises on Lake Mead.

For day visitors, Lake Mead Cruises offers sightseeing and dinner cruises aboard the Desert Princess. Passengers are treated with spectacular views of the lake’s breathtaking scenery,  including the colorful landscapes and panoramic views of landmarks such as Fortification Hill, a clearly-defined, extinct volcano, and the Arizona Paint Pots. The Desert Princess embarks daily from the Lake Mead Cruises Landing at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor for sightseeing cruises. Dinner cruises are seasonal, so visit the Lake Mead Cruises Web site for schedules, rates and reservations.

Located 67 miles south of Hoover Dam is Lake Mohave. Also part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mohave is formed by the Davis Dam at Laughlin/Bullhead City.

Lake Mohave is a popular desination for boaters.

Like Lake Mead, Lake Mohave is a popular destination for boaters. A long, narrow lake, it’s ideal for waterskiing. Boat ramps and rentals, as well as houseboat rentals can be found at the Cottonwood Cove Marina, accessible from US Highway 93 on the way to Laughlin, and Katherine Landing, located above Davis Dam, just north of Bullhead City on the Arizona side of the Lake.

Lake Mohave is just minutes north of the resort town of Laughlin, where hotel casinos line the riverfront, offering accommodations, shopping and entertainment after sundown.

Enjoy the nightlife in Laughlin.

Both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave also provide good locales for freshwater diving. Visibility is best from October through April and local dive shops organize dives and offer equipment rental. Land-based activities include hiking through the eastern Mohave Desert, especially during the cooler winter months, or horseback riding on trails designated for equestrians.

The best time of year to visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area is during the fall, winter, or spring, when desert temperatures aren’t sweltering. The region’s winters are mild, however water temperature can be quite colder during the winter months.

Due to the climate and surrounding rugged landscape, careful planning for a vacation to Lake Mead or Lake Mohave is essential. Read the “Things to Know Before You Come” feature on the National Park Service Web site to ensure your family’s visit is safe and enjoyable.

Fees for entry in the Lake Mead Recreation Area are $5 per vehicle for one to five days or an annual pass may be purchased for $20 for families planning frequent visits. Motorized vessels fees are $10 for the first vessel and $5 for each additional vessel for one to five days. Annual passes for vessel fees are also available for purchase.

Photos: Lake Mead Panorama courtesy of MLBbrad and Lake Mojave courtesy KJKolb via Wikimedia. Desert Princess and Laughlin are from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Visiting the Seattle area during the holidays and want to treat yourself to a unique Northwest experience?  Check out a Puget Sound Christmas cruise from Argosy Cruises.  These cruises, which have been a Northwest tradition for nearly 60 years, leave from various Seattle area ports of call each evening from late November through December the 23rd. Each beautifully decorated and lit Christmas ship is also accompanied by a number of decorated ships and private boats, creating a floating, parade-like, holiday atmosphere.  This flotilla of festive boats sails the waters of the Puget Sound spreading the cheer to land lubbers gathered at designated beachfront locations.  It is a memorable and wonderful event to experience.

Sail into Christmas on a Seattle Argosy Cruise

Santa Claus, refreshments, and photo-ops are available on board these Christmas Ships.  To add to the festive atmosphere, each lead ship in the flotilla is joined on board by a local choir, which performs a 20 minute long concert of Christmas carols at each designated port of call. (The Northwest Boys Choir put on a wonderful show on last weekend’s south sound cruise).  These holiday themed performances are simultaneously piped over state of the art speaker systems on board the ship to throngs of locals gathered around huge bonfires on shore who take the opportunity to join in.  It is a perfect Northwest kickoff to the Christmas season.

Tickets prices: $35 for adults, $19.00 for kids, Free for kids 4 and under.
Value nights: $25 for adults, $12 for kids , Free for kids 4 and under.

A portion of the proceeds from these cruises are donated to the local charity The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy. So, you can splurge a bit on your family, and still know you are donating to a good cause.  In these tough economic times, every little bit helps.

So, whether you are enjoying the food and activities on one of these festive ships, or snuggling around one to the community bonfires on a cool Northwest evening listening to the sound of the waves mix with the sweet harmonies of the carolers, you will agree that a Puget Sound Christmas Cruise from Argosy Cruises is a very unique and very Northwest way to get into the holiday spirit.

Photo courtesy of Argosycruises.com