Lake Mead, Nevada Hiking & Camping - Las Vegas Fun

Lake Mead, Nevada Hiking & Camping - Las Vegas Fun!

12/30/25 Update - Campsite fees and a rental vehicle have already been paid for, and there is room for two more people who only need to pay for their own flight and hotel to go on this trip. A planning meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 7th - please sign up and attend the planning meeting if you have questions.

Nevada's cooler January temperatures and current hotel discounts present an opportunity for a unique long weekend of hiking and camping at Lake Mead and a couple nights of fun in Las Vegas!

Here's the overall plan:

1. Thursday, January 29th, 2026 - Arrive early enough at Las Vegas airport to meet up in baggage claim by 10am PT (I have already booked Southwest flight #1813, which leaves Austin at 6:40am and arrives in Las Vegas at 7:45am.)
2. Pick up rental cars or passenger vans and drive towards Lake Mead.
3. Hike #1 - Stop at While Owl Canyon trailhead for the first planned hike. Here's a good video of this hike.
4. Campout - One Night, 1/29 - We'll camp at Boulder Beach Campground at Lake Mead in sites #84 and #86 (already reserved!) We will finalize meal and gear planning during future group planning meetings.
5. Hike #2 - After enjoying an amazing sunrise at Lake Mead, we'll break camp, pack up, and drive to the Historic Railroad Trail. Hiking the Historic Railroad Rail will take us to the Hoover Dam, where we can either do a guided tour or explore on our own. Here's a good video of this hike.
6. Las Vegas (2-night stay, 1/30 & 1/31)- After exploring the Hoover Dam, we'll drive to Las Vegas (only about 45 minutes to one-hour drive) to check into hotels. Harrah's, Flamingo, and LINQ have really good rates currently; and if everyone books their hotel in this area of the strip, it will make it easier for the drivers of the rentals cars/vans to drop everyone off and then return the rental vehicles to the airport. I have already booked 2 nights (Friday and Saturday) at Harrah's.
7. Saturday night event options: Styx concert at the Venetian Theatre or The Eagles at The Sphere! (Saturday night, 1/31) - These events are optional.
8. Sunday, February 1st, 2026 - Fly home. I have already booked Southwest flight #255, which leaves Las Vegas at 3:30pm and arrives in Austin at 8:05pm.

Attendees will need to book and pay for their own airfare, hotel, meals, and entertainment.
.
.

--- Legal Disclaimer ---

By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:
In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Austin Weekend Hiking & Backpacking Club Meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Austin Weekend Hiking & Backpacking Club permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose. I further attest that I, the registrant, am fully and completely responsible for any guests that I bring to the event, whether registered or not.