Lake Mead National Recreation Area spans southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona along the Colorado River, encompassing Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and vast surrounding desert. Emerging from lower Colorado dam construction, it began with protections around the new reservoir in the 1930s, took its present name in 1947, and in 1964 became the first national recreation area formally designated by the U.S. Congress. Water and desert together define the landscape, which draws millions for boating, fishing, swimming, trails, and canyon visits while also preserving rich wildlife, wilderness, archaeological sites, historic structures, and the reemerged ghost town of St. Thomas.