Photo: cisko66 / CC BY 3.0

Part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Day Use Areas 1,233 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 50/100 (secluded)

Near Temple Bar Marina, Arizona, this picnic area features decent scenery with black bears in a hot desert climate best visited outside summer.

Near Temple Bar Marina, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

A well-prepared pack for Picnic Area covers 4 categories: essential, wildlife gear, climate gear, terrain gear.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Climate Gear

Extra water (1L/hr) — Pre-hydrating the morning before a hot hike and carrying electrolytes along with water maximizes absorption.
Electrolytes — A few electrolyte packets weigh nothing and can prevent the nausea, confusion, and weakness that sideline hikers in hot conditions.
Cooling towel — In dry heat, soaking a towel uses minimal water but provides significant thermoregulation during exposed trail sections.
Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

The mix of Desert terrain and Continental conditions here supports everything from photography, picnicking, walking.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

The danger score of 35/10 at Picnic Area accounts for Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes in the area.

Danger rating: 35/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (36N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The ecosystem around Picnic Area is defined by its Desert landscape, supporting everything from to Great-tailed Grackle and Eurasian Collared-Dove.

Wildflowers (1)

Las Vegas Bearpoppy — Showy solitary blooms above prickly foliage.

Shrubs (4)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
Eastern Joshua tree — The plant provides habitat for desert wildlife.

Other Plants (5)

Buckhorn Cholla
Echinocereus bakeri
California Barrel Cactus
Beavertail Pricklypear
Mojave Yucca

Mammals (2)

Coyote — Lean, agile build.
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.

Birds (6)

Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
American Kestrel — Black facial stripes
Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill

Reptiles (3)

Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — Typically 2–3 feet long.
Western Whiptail — Typically 8–12 inches long including the tail.

Amphibians (4)

Relict Leopard Frog
Red-spotted Toad
Woodhouse's Toad
Canyon Tree Frog

Insects (1)

Western Honey Bee

Nature Bingo at Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Coyote (mammal)
Common Side-blotched Lizard (reptile)
Relict Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Eastern Joshua tree (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Picnic Area.

Month-by-month temperatures at Picnic Area range from °F to °F.

Climate type: Continental

Annual avg temp: 70.9°F

Annual precipitation: 5.4 in

With an average annual temperature of 70.9°F and 5.4 inches of precipitation, Picnic Area has hot, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 95°F, while winter lows drop to 50°F.

Best months to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov. Consider avoiding: Jul, Aug.

Winter 50°

0.7"

Spring 69°

0.3"

Summer 95°

0.6"

Fall 71°

0.5"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	50°F	0.7 in
Feb	53°F	1.0 in
Mar	61°F	0.6 in
Apr	69°F	0.3 in
May	78°F	0.1 in
Jun	89°F	0.0 in
Jul	95°F	0.6 in
Aug	93°F	0.4 in
Sep	85°F	0.3 in
Oct	71°F	0.5 in
Nov	58°F	0.4 in
Dec	49°F	0.5 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.

Summer: 4:19 AM – 6:55 PM

Winter: 6:40 AM – 4:24 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:40 AM, Sunset 4:24 PM Golden hour from 3:44 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:19 AM, Sunset 6:55 PM Golden hour from 6:17 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:49 AM, Sunset 5:43 PM Golden hour from 5:10 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:18 AM, Sunset 5:46 PM Golden hour from 5:12 PM

Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Access to Picnic Area is primarily via Las Vegas, 47 miles away.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (47 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $11.65 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 37.7 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

The region around Picnic Area is rich with options — 18 nearby destinations are worth exploring.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

Light pollution at Picnic Area is Rural/suburban transition (Bortle 4), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

Seasonal changes at Picnic Area bring — each offering a distinct experience.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: April - May

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

Valley locations - timing as listed

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

We acknowledge that Picnic Area is located on the traditional lands of Hualapai.

Territories

Hualapai

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Southern Paiute.

Southern Paiute

Data from Native Land Digital

Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Picnic Area sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Hualapai Limestone
Formation: Hualapai Limestone
Age: Miocene

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 43
Richness: High
Minerals Found: Gold, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Copper, Manganese, Uranium, Tungsten, Silver, Semiprecious Gemstone

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 120°F (2005-07-20)
Record Low: 18°F (1990-12-24)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 6
Largest Fire: Fork (81,699 acres)
Most Recent: 2019
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Wildhorse Spring-Detrital Wash
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 5
Largest: Gold Basin (61 kg)

Picnic Area, Lake Mead NRA Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Picnic Area.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MEADVIEW 3.8 S, AZ US (15.23 mi)