On your Nevada vacation you have access to some of the best boating lakes in America, and these lakes are located next to the two major Nevada cities—Reno and Las Vegas. Lake Mead, 30 minutes from Las Vegas, is the largest man made reservoir in the country. Lake Tahoe is less than an hours’ drive from Reno, and it is the largest alpine lake in North America. If you want to experience ultimate water recreation on your next trip, consider the opportunities each lake has to offer.

If you find yourself in Las Vegas, you may notice you are smack dab in the middle of the desert. But Lake Mead offers an oasis only 30 minutes to the east on the Nevada / Arizona border. It is the largest man-made lake in the country. Formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, it extends through 112 miles of low lying deserts and canyon lands. Due to its location on the desert floor, Lake Mead averages about 300 sunny days per year and experiences mild winters. This makes it a year round destination for boating, skiing, diving, fishing, jet skiing, and more. There are five marinas on the lake and numerous businesses that offer boat rentals, including houseboats.

If your Nevada vacation lands you in Reno, you will be less than an hour from one of the most stunning lakes in the country. Lake Tahoe is located in the opposite geographical extreme that Lake Mead is. Its surface elevation is 6,225 ft, nestling it in the middle of pine trees and mountain peaks. This natural lake is the largest alpine lake in North America and is the second deepest. The water color ranges from shades of dark blue to light green and blue. Lake Tahoe never freezes, but it’s obviously best for boating in the spring and summer when visitors engage in parasailing, jet skiing, paddle boating, fishing, etc. There are at least 14 marinas on the lake, many offering boat rentals. The Lake Tahoe area is also home to several ski resorts popular in the winter, as well as miles of hiking and biking trails, camping, etc. Similar to Lake Mead, Tahoe also overlaps state borders—Nevada and California.