Willow Beach in Mohave County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Explore Lake Mead
National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Inscription.
With its rugged mountains, deep canyons, stark deserts, and two large blue lakes, America's first national recreation area is a place of great contrasts. Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) was established in 1964, well after the waters of the mighty Colorado River were subdued by Hoover and Davis Dams, creating Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
Today the lakes provide millions of visitors each year with a place to fish, boat and swim in one of the hottest, driest regions on earth. Despite their immense size, the two lakes comprise only a small portion of the recreation area. More than one million acres of diverse terrain surround the lakes.
From the creosote-covered desert to the pines of the Shivwits Plateau, the diversity and range of life and landscape is astounding. Large expanses of wilderness only miles from a major metropolis increase the contrast, making the recreation area a destination for wanderers and urban-dwellers alike.
Lake Mead NRA also preserves diverse remnants of both ancient and modern human history, from sacred Native American petroglyphs to a sunken Cold War era B-29 bomber.
From bustling marinas to rugged and isolated backcountry, a variety of experiences await you as you explore Lake Mead NRA. Help preserve these beautiful but fragile places. Leave only footprints, take only photographs.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 35° 52.954′ N, 114° 37.062′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Willow Beach, Arizona, in Mohave County. Marker is on U.S. 93, 3 miles north of Willow Beach Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at a roadside scenic viewing area overlooking Willow Beach. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: US-93, Willow Beach AZ 86445, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Taming the Colorado (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anson Smith (approx. 11.3 miles away); Hoover Dam (approx. 11.4 miles away in Nevada); Dr. Elwood Mead (approx. 11½ miles away in Nevada); They Died to Make the Desert Bloom (approx. 11½ miles away in Nevada); They Laboured that Millions might see a Brighter Day (approx. 11½
miles away in Nevada); a different marker also named Dr. Elwood Mead (approx. 11½ miles away in Nevada); "High Scaler" (approx. 11½ miles away in Nevada).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 504 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.