Cottonwood Cove
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Entry fee: $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike (7-day park entry). Cottonwood Cove is a lake cove on Lake Mohave in Clark County, Nevada.
Closures and warnings
Lake Mohave is on a harmful algal bloom Watch as of June 11, 2026, after a surface bloom was seen: use caution in the water and avoid algae buildup. Separate coves (Eagle Wash, Placer Cove) carry higher levels. As of June 11, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Lifeguards | No lifeguards: the park has none. |
| Algal bloom advisory | Watch |
- Cottonwood Swim Beach : The park's officially designated swim area at Cottonwood Cove. Pets are prohibited.
- Box Cove : Reached by walking the shoreline north from Cottonwood Cove Beach.
- Ski Cove : Reached by walking the shoreline south from Cottonwood Cove Beach.
Access
| Parking | Park and walk right to the water's edge at Cottonwood Cove Beach. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike (7-day park entry); card payment only |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, like the rest of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Lake Mead National Recreation Area) |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Picnic tables and grills. A cafe, a store selling snacks, drinks and charcoal, and a motel are at the developed area. |
- Cottonwood Cove launch ramp boat launch : Marina with fuel sales and boat rentals, including houseboats.
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Fires | Not allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Cottonwood Cove open?
Lake Mohave is on a harmful algal bloom Watch as of June 11, 2026, after a surface bloom was seen: use caution in the water and avoid algae buildup. Separate coves (Eagle Wash, Placer Cove) carry higher levels. As of June 11, 2026. Hours: Open 24 hours, like the rest of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Can you swim at Cottonwood Cove?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Cottonwood Cove. The state's harmful algal bloom advisory here is at the Watch level. Lifeguards: No lifeguards: the park has none. Lake Mohave is on a harmful algal bloom Watch as of June 11, 2026, after a surface bloom was seen: use caution in the water and avoid algae buildup. Separate coves (Eagle Wash, Placer Cove) carry higher levels. As of June 11, 2026.
How do you get to Cottonwood Cove?
Parking: Park and walk right to the water's edge at Cottonwood Cove Beach.
Is there a fee at Cottonwood Cove?
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 Cottonwood Cove?
Picnic sites and a boat launch. Picnic tables and grills. A cafe, a store selling snacks, drinks and charcoal, and a motel are at the developed area.
What are the rules at Cottonwood Cove?
Dogs are not allowed, fires are not allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Photos
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Cottonwood Cove is inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area .
Just outside: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (0.5 mi) .
Sources
6
- https://www.nps.gov/places/cottonwood-cove.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName, beaches[Box Cove, Ski Cove], manager, access.parking, access.amenities.picnicSites, access.amenities.note, access.boatLaunches, swimmerNotes.waterType)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs beaches[Cottonwood Swim Beach], access.fee, access.amenities.picnicSites, rules.dogs, rules.glass, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hours.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours)
- https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/swimming-beaches.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs rules.fires, rules.glass, swimmerNotes.lifeguardSeason, lat/lng)
- https://nvose.org/hot-topic-harmful-algal-blooms/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs healthNote, swimmerNotes.algalBloomLevel)
More: Nevada swimming holes