Alerts & Conditions

HIGH FIRE DANGER - FIRE RESTRICTIONS

June 13, 2025

The restrictions in this Fire Prevention, High Fire Danger Closure Order are necessary to prevent wildfire during this period of extended drought and increased potential for wildland fires in Arizona and Nevada. For questions please call (702) 293-8990 or use the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page to email the park. 

Effective at 12:00 a.m. PDT on June 13th, 2025, and until rescinded, the following acts are prohibited:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire with any wood or charcoal burning device outside of a developed recreation site such as a campground where a host is present and/or a fee is charged.
2. Shoreline campfires in areas posted “no campfires” or in developed areas (near marinas and launch ramps).
3. Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle, in any area that is not cleared of all flammable material for at least three (3) feet. Discarding of cigarettes in anything other than a car ashtray or an ashtray in a developed area.

Activities that are allowed include:

1. Using portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
2. Campfires with wood or charcoal burning devices will be allowed on the shoreline where natural vegetation is at least 100 feet from shoreline (except Boulder Beach, near marinas, launch ramps, and any area posted “no campfires allowed”). Please extinguish all fires if windy conditions are present.
3. Wood or charcoal fires in grills of developed Picnic Areas.
4. Barbeques are allowed on private boats outside of the harbors of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Rental boats are authorized to use barbeques attached to the vessel if allowed under boat rental agreements. All vessel barbeque fires must be at least 100 feet away from shoreline vegetation.

The following persons are exempt from the restrictions of this Fire Prevention Order:

1. Persons with a permit authorizing the activity.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

The use of fireworks, including "safe and sane,” is prohibited at all times on all public lands including Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.38 (b) under the National Park Service.

Violations of this High Fire Danger Restriction Order are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both (Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13 (c) under the National Park Service).

This Fire Prevention, High Fire Danger Fire Restriction Order, includes the National Park Service, Lake Mead National Recreation Area lands under authority of 36 C.F.R. 2.13 (c). This Fire Prevention Order does not apply to lands within the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.



 

2025 seasonal trail closures

To help keep both visitors and Search and Rescue staff safe during the dangerously high temperature summer months, Lake Mead National Recreation Area institutes annual seasonal closures to certain strenuous trails. The closures will be lifted once the daytime high temperature forecast for Willow Beach is below 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), which usually happens by late September or early October.
 

• Goldstrike Canyon*

• White Rock Canyon

• Arizona Hot Springs*

• Liberty Arch

• Lone Palm*

• Sugar Loaf

* The Goldstrike Canyon, Arizona, and Lone Palm hot springs remain open and accessible by boat on Lake Mohave. The River Mountain Loop Trail and Historic Railroad Trail will also remain open. 

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. Lake Mead National Recreation Area encourages visitors to plan ahead and stay informed by checking current conditions and alerts.

Lake levels change regularly. Launching is at your own risk. Be prepared for longer wait times for launching and recovery. Always check your surroundings before launching. Ongoing maintenance and construction at ramps may require temporary closures.

Current Daily Water Levels for Lake Mead and Lake Mohave (Bureau of Reclamation)
Frequently Asked Questions

Status of Launch Ramps on Lake Mead

• Hemenway Harbor Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • One lane on concrete, shallow-hulled boats recommended, 5.5% grade

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• Echo Bay Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • Two lanes on concrete.

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• Callville Bay Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • Two lanes, one on concrete and one on pipe mat.

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• Temple Bar Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • Concessionaire launch operations on Mobi Mat are operable. Please contact concessionaire directly at 928-767-3214 to inquire about launch ramp status.

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• South Cove Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • The concrete launch ramp is closed as the lake has dropped below the end of the ramp, but a newly established dirt road from the concrete ramp to a beach launch on gravel is operable so long as the lake level does not drop below 1,035 feet. 

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Status of Launch Ramps on Lake Mohave

• Cottonwood Cove Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • 6 lanes on concrete.

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• Katherine's Landing Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • 2 lanes on concrete.

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• Willow Beach Launch Ramp - OPERABLE
  • 3 lanes on concrete.

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Get current water temperatures, wind speeds, wave heights and more by clicking on the below links and then clicking on the observations tab.

Lake Mead

Lake Mohave

If a monsoon develops, which can happen rapidly, those on the water should find a sheltered cove or shore. Launch ramps become crowded after storms arrive. It’s also wise to write down current GPS coordinates, so rescue crews can locate you more quickly. If flash flooding occurs on land, visitors should seek high ground.