Boulder Beach
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Entry fee: $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike (7-day park entry). Boulder Beach is a lake cove on Lake Mead in Clark County, Nevada.
Closures and warnings
As Lake Mead recedes, saturated silty mud is exposed and people and vehicles have gotten stuck. Test the ground before walking or driving onto it, even if it looks dry on top. As of September 28, 2026.
The park does not monitor bacteria, toxic algae blooms or swimmer's itch. Avoid areas where bright green algae floats on the surface, and towel off right after swimming. As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Lifeguards | No lifeguards: the park has none. |
- North and South Swim Beach : The park's officially designated swim areas at Boulder Beach. Pets are prohibited. Rocky shore, so water shoes are recommended.
- Special Events Beach : Multi-use beach: drive up to the water's edge on unpaved, uneven ground. Accessible restrooms. Personal watercraft may launch here.
- Canoe/Kayak Beach : Multi-use beach: drive up to the water's edge on unpaved, uneven ground. Accessible restrooms. Personal watercraft may launch here.
- PWC Beach : Personal watercraft beach: drive up to the water's edge on unpaved, uneven ground. Accessible restrooms.
Access
| Parking | At Special Events, Canoe/Kayak and PWC beaches you can drive to the water's edge; parking there is unpaved and uneven. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike (7-day park entry); card payment only |
| Hours | Boulder Beach is open dawn till dusk; the recreation area as a whole is open 24 hours. |
| Wheelchair access | Water can be a long way over rough ground from parking as the lake level changes. Special Events, Canoe/Kayak and PWC beaches allow driving to the water and have accessible restrooms. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Lake Mead National Recreation Area) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Boulder Beach is a developed picnic area (first come, first served; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Boulder Beach Campground is about a 15-minute walk away. |
- Hemenway Harbor launch ramp boat launch : Nearest motorized boat launch to Boulder Beach. Launching is at your own risk as the lake level changes.
- Beach launching south of the swim area boat launch : Personal watercraft and small vessels launch from marked areas between Special Events Beach and Hemenway Harbor.
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Fires | Not allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Boulder Beach open?
As Lake Mead recedes, saturated silty mud is exposed and people and vehicles have gotten stuck. Test the ground before walking or driving onto it, even if it looks dry on top. As of September 28, 2026. The park does not monitor bacteria, toxic algae blooms or swimmer's itch. Avoid areas where bright green algae floats on the surface, and towel off right after swimming. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Boulder Beach is open dawn till dusk; the recreation area as a whole is open 24 hours.
Can you swim at Boulder Beach?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Boulder Beach. Lifeguards: No lifeguards: the park has none. The park does not monitor bacteria, toxic algae blooms or swimmer's itch. Avoid areas where bright green algae floats on the surface, and towel off right after swimming. As of September 28, 2026.
How do you get to Boulder Beach?
Parking: At Special Events, Canoe/Kayak and PWC beaches you can drive to the water's edge; parking there is unpaved and uneven.
Is there a fee at Boulder Beach?
The fee is $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike (7-day park entry); card payment only.
What facilities are at Boulder Beach?
Restrooms, picnic sites, and 2 boat launches. Boulder Beach is a developed picnic area (first come, first served; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Boulder Beach Campground is about a 15-minute walk away.
What are the rules at Boulder Beach?
Dogs are not allowed, fires are not allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Photos
Nearby
Sources
7
- https://www.nps.gov/places/boulder-beach.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName, beaches[North and South Swim Beach], beaches[Special Events, Canoe/Kayak, PWC], manager, access.hours, access.amenities.note, access.boatLaunches, hazardNote, swimmerNotes.waterType)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs beaches[North and South Swim Beach], access.amenities.picnicSites, access.boatLaunches, rules.dogs, rules.glass, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs beaches[Special Events, Canoe/Kayak, PWC], access.parking, access.wheelchairAccess, access.amenities.restrooms)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/swimming-beaches.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs beaches, rules.fires, rules.glass, hazardNote, healthNote, swimmerNotes.lifeguardSeason, lat/lng)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10075120 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hours.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours)
More: Nevada swimming holes