BOULDER CITY, Nevada -Lake Mead National Recreation Area is hosting a variety of events and offering free entry into the park Sept. 24 in celebration of National Public Lands Day.
The day, celebrated by federal land areas across the U.S., began in 1994 to encourage caring for the nation's shared lands. Today, it is the largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance publicly held lands for the greater enjoyment and enrichment of all who visit.
In addition to volunteering, park rangers encourage visitors to enjoy Lake Mead National Recreation Area's 1.5 million acres of public land available for boating, fishing, hiking, photography and sightseeing.
Fee-free day
Entrance fees will be waived at Lake Mead National Recreation Area Sept. 24 for National Public Lands Day. Fees for camping, lake use or use of concessions still apply.
National Public Lands Day Litter Clean-up
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining Lake Mead staff in cleaning up an area that was heavily used by summer visitors. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and clean-up starts at 9 a.m. The first 100 volunteers will receive a National Public Land's Day coupon that will give them one-time free access to a public land on a different date. Volunteers of all ages welcome, but anyone under the age of 18 will need a parental approval form signed by a parent or guardian. For more information and to register, call 702-293-8719 or email LAKE_Volunteer_Coordinator@nps.gov.
National Public Lands Day Laughlin Event
Join rangers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 for National Public Lands Day at Pyramid Canyon, Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and Trails, in Laughlin, Nevada, for hikes, arts and crafts, fishing, and a treasure hunt. Junior ranger booklets will be available for distribution. A ranger-led birding walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. along the Colorado River and visitors can discover how many bird species call the river home. A ranger-led interactive talk about the local history of the Colorado River and the construction of the Davis Dam will begin at 11:30 a.m. Call 928-754-3272, for more information.
Bike Your Park Day
In celebration of National Public Lands Day on and the National Park Service Centennial, the Adventure Cycling Association is promoting a "Bike Your Park" Day Sept. 24 to encourage everyone to ride a bike to or within their favorite nearby park or public land. To date, Adventure Cycling Association members and a wide range of individuals and entities have planned more than 700 "Bike Your Park" Day rides and activities around the U.S. These planned rides can be found on an interactive map at www.bikeyourparkday.org. A 55-mile ride is planned from Green Valley in Henderson, Nevada, to Lake Mead National Recreation Area along the River Mountains Loop Trail. Cyclists are reminded that cycling abreast is not permitted with Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Ranger Program: Starry, Starry Night Hike
Join a ranger to learn about the dark night skies of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Explore the Historic Railroad Trail tunnels during a stroll along this old railroad bed. For more information and to register, call 702-293-8990.
Share Your Experience
For those visiting America's national parks on National Public Lands Day, show off your experience by including #FindYourPark and #NPLD in your social media posts.
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
