BOULDER CITY, NV – AUGUST 14: One of the many vista picnic areas on the south shore of Lake Mead, the country’s largest man-made water reservoir, formed by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the Southwestern United States, has marginally stabilized, now at approximately 47% capacity, is viewed on August 14, 2023 near Boulder City, Nevada. The lake, a national recreation area, located within the states of Nevada and Arizona 24 miles east of the Las Vegas Strip, serves water to the states of Arizona, California, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, as well as parts of Mexico, providing fresh water to nearly 20 million people and large swaths of farmland. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

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Joe Edwards

By Joe Edwards

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The National Park Service (NPS) will launch a “significant” road improvement project at Lake Mead this month, repaving nearly four miles of Willow Beach Road.

Lake Mead, the country's largest man-made water reservoir, was formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River.

Why It Matters

The $2 million initiative addresses deteriorating road conditions that impact safe and reliable access to Willow Beach.

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This investment, funded entirely from visitor entrance fees, aims to enhance the overall visitor experience at one of This investment, funded entirely from visitor entrance fees, aims to enhance the overall visitor experience at one of Lake Mead National Recreation Area's most popular destinations.

What To Know

The Willow Beach Road repaving project is scheduled to begin on January 5. According to the NPS, the existing roadway—which connects visitors from the Willow Beach entrance station to the nonmotorized boat launch area—has suffered from cracks, potholes and flood damage.

The NPS says it will repave a 3.7-mile stretch, maintaining the current road width and gravel shoulders. Crews will grind the existing pavement and repurpose it as a base layer, topping it with three inches of new asphalt for improved durability.

One of the many vista picnic areas on the south shore of Lake Mead is viewed on August 14, 2023 near Boulder City, Nevada.

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Willow Beach, along with its marina and fish hatchery, will remain open 24 hours a day throughout the project. Construction will take place Mondays through Thursdays, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During some phases, traffic will be reduced to one lane and delays of up to 15 minutes can be expected. The road will not be under construction on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays; both uphill and downhill lanes will remain open on weekends, the NPS said.

After the removal of existing asphalt and before final paving, the roadway will be finished with hardpacked gravel, suitable for all passenger vehicles and trucks with trailers.

What People Are Saying

Superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area Mike Gauthier said in a news release dated December 30, 2025: “This project reflects our commitment to reinvesting entrance fees back into the visitor experience. Improving Willow Beach Road will make travel safer and more comfortable while supporting continued access to this remarkable area of the park.”

The NPS expressed appreciation for the public’s patience during construction and encouraged visitors to plan ahead, allow extra travel time on weekdays, and exercise caution if driving in work zones.

What Happens Next

The project is set to conclude by mid-March 2026, according to the NPS.

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