looking for some Lake Mead suggestions..

[Rock-A-Bye-Baby]

I want to go to Mead and have never been there. I've heard it can get a little rough out there!!!! :jawdrop:
Where should i go with my 22' i/o loaded with my wife and 2 kids? where are decent places to stay? I love the pics of Mead so if you any, post them too!

[Big Warlock]

Hacienda Casino at the Hoover Dam is a good place to stay. Or one of the Station Casinos in Henderson. They are family friendly and you get some amenities to entertain the kids.
There is a launch into the park right there. Approximately 3 to 5 miles from the Hacienda. Las Vegas Marina? Nice place, easy in and out, lots of parking. I would head to the narrows. That kind of divides the lake. Very cool places to explore and your protected there. Lots of nooks and coves and stuff. Good place to hang out and such. You'll pass a beach on the west side of the lake, prior to the narrows. Lots of people hang out there.
Get a map. WATCH THE WEATHER!!!! With the wind and such, it can be worse than the ocean between Catalina and LA. Just be careful with the weather.
Good luck,
Rob

[dicudmore]

I'll second what Mark and Rob said :D
nice lake to cruise

[phuggit]

Mead is a great place, we've made it there a couple times. It can get pretty blown up and nasty for small boats. I didn't have any problems and if you pay attention to the weather you shouldn't have any either.
We stayed at Templebar Marina. There is a cafe, store, gas pumps and hotel there. It is ran by the same company that runs Katherine Landing on Lake Mojave. We chose Templebar because it's fairly secluded and withing fuel distance to the lower Grand Canyon area.
Good luck

[Outnumbered]

I want to go to Mead and have never been there. I've heard it can get a little rough out there!!!! :jawdrop:
Where should i go with my 22' i/o loaded with my wife and 2 kids? where are decent places to stay? I love the pics of Mead so if you any, post them too!
We did just about all of our boating on the upper end of Mead with our old 21' Lavey with a shallow V. The upper end of the lake is great for smaller boats. Its just getting there from the lower end of the lake that is tough. I would try Overton like TB said. I have been down by the dam with the Lavey in a storm and it was very rough. Just keep an eye on the weather. I would invest in a VHF handheld at the very least. I had a 25W VHF in the old boat that we actually used a few times when the cells were not working to call for help. Once for us and once for another boat. Its a big lake and lots of fun. Just have to respect the weather.

[Trash]

We most often stay in Henderson at the Fiesta Casino (Formerly the Reserve). Other places mentioned are good choices too. The only problem with Echo Bay and Temple Bar are their remoteness. Not a lot of eating options other than the marina store/restaurant.
We launch at Boulder basin or the Hemmingway marina and cruise to all corners of the lake. Sometimes we'll just float in the middle of Virgin basin and hang out. A map is very usefull in deciding where you want to explore.
The wind can be a problem, but it isn't always. Take a look at the weather forecasts at www.coloradoriverinfo.com. You can view the weekly outflow reports for water levels and current/forecast weather, winds and water temps. A lot of people warn of the wind, which indeed can be a factor, but when it's calm, it's one of the smoothest places too.

[Waldo]

http://www.riverlakes.com/images/MeadMap.gif

[Waldo]

Here's an interactive map:
Interactive Map (http://www.nps.gov/lame/park.html)

[Rock-A-Bye-Baby]

gracias everyone. thanks for the input.

[Holland]

When are you planning a trip??? We go there all the time. It is GREAT with Kids! The channel gets sloppy in the afternoon, but you should be more than safe!

[Rock-A-Bye-Baby]

When are you planning a trip??? We go there all the time. It is GREAT with Kids! The channel gets sloppy in the afternoon, but you should be more than safe!
i am not sure when we are going to go. i guess we could go anytime now since it has warmed up a little. Have you gone out yet this year?

[tmatson]

We're also planning to make our first trip to Mead this year. After all the years everywhere else this lake is over due. Most of the advise we've gotten is to base out of Echo. Good Luck! :cool:

[Holland]

i am not sure when we are going to go. i guess we could go anytime now since it has warmed up a little. Have you gone out yet this year?
Nooo... not yet this year... We are probably looking at Memorial for the first trip there??? But we are scheduled there from June 3 thru June 11th... My Sis in Law's Dad works at the railroad pass casino... It is a dirty little place, but we get preferential treatment (For a dive, that is) while we are there. The boats are watched well all night... which is a piece of mind for me. You HAVE to go into town to get food that you can eat, though... so we taxi in, drink up... then taxi out at night. It works well... Hope to see ya. PM me with your dates so we can hook up...
Bob

[Rock-A-Bye-Baby]

Nooo... not yet this year... We are probably looking at Memorial for the first trip there??? But we are scheduled there from June 3 thru June 11th... My Sis in Law's Dad works at the railroad pass casino... It is a dirty little place, but we get preferential treatment (For a dive, that is) while we are there. The boats are watched well all night... which is a piece of mind for me. You HAVE to go into town to get food that you can eat, though... so we taxi in, drink up... then taxi out at night. It works well... Hope to see ya. PM me with your dates so we can hook up...
Bob
Will do. i may not hit until june. see ya there!

[Holland]

Right on... I will post pics of water levels and... other... stuff when we get back!

[UltraStealth]

I recommend the top part of lake Mead. Echo has places to stay and the water is nice up there compared to the main part of the lake. I myself have a 21' and the top was fine. The main part of the lake was pretty bad in the 21. There are plenty of nice beaches north of echo towards Overton.

[Raisin Wake]

I reccomend Gregg Basin. I has some of the smoothest water around, great beaches and coves, secluded, and beautiful. We houseboated their two years ago. I'll try and round up some pictures.

[GHTRIM]

ehco bay hotel 702-394-4000,check out LVHB,lots of info :D
Echo Bay would be the place of choice if you have the Family. It is in the upper basin. The upper basin in 8 time out of 10 MUCH more calm and less windy (why?? I don't know.) You will enjoy the boating and be able to find your self a beach to get on. Middle point is a neet place and has portable crappers (one) as well...
Good luck.... If it does get rough it is usually only in the afternoons and will die down around 5pm or so... :cool:

[Troubles No More]

This is from last sat on the lake near Overton..We left Boulder and drove over to Overton, little to no wind 75-80 deg, a great day to be on the water.
Marina near Boulder City
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1121BC_Condo_04-16-05_057.jpg
Overton area
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1121BC_Condo_04-16-05_060.jpg
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1121BC_Condo_04-16-05_061.jpg
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1121BC_Condo_04-16-05_059.jpg