Boating, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding amid desert scenery

"The region around the nation’s largest man-made reservoir offers boating, swimming, and paddleboarding set against expansive desert-water vistas; visitors can opt for leisurely vintage-style paddleboat outings, hike the 3.5-mile Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail that follows old construction rail routes, and easily connect to guided tours or photo vantage points at the nearby engineering marvel that created the reservoir." - Rob Kachelriess
"I found Lake Mead listed as an adventure option within about an hour’s drive of Las Vegas." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A man-made lake created by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is a fun nearby getaway (about 30 minutes from the city) where you can swim, kayak, fish, and even scuba dive; the lake spans over 1.5 million acres and was the country’s first national recreation area. Admission is $25 per vehicle or $15 per pedestrian/cyclist." - Matthew Kepnes