01
Closest full-service beach escape
Cottonwood Cove, Lake Mohave
Toward Searchlight, Nevada • Relaxed Lakeside Swimming Beach • Best Mix Of Sand And Services
A sheltered Lake Mohave cove with a sandy swim beach, small resort area, and an easygoing marina scene.
From Furnace Creek, Cottonwood Cove is one of the quickest true beach-style options, trading salt flats for a sheltered finger of Lake Mohave. The cove has a designated swimming area, gentle entry, and a compact strip of sand that feels low-key compared with bigger reservoirs. There is lodging, a small store, and boat rentals on site, but shade is limited, so locals bring pop-up canopies or plan to swim early and retreat before peak afternoon heat.
02
Classic desert reservoir shoreline
Boulder Beach, Lake Mead
Near Boulder City, Nevada • Wide Open Lake Beach • Best For All-Day Hanging Out
A broad, gently sloping shoreline on Lake Mead where you can spread out, swim, and pair your day with a visit to Hoover Dam or Boulder City.
Boulder Beach is a favorite first stop for Death Valley travelers heading toward the Las Vegas side who still want a real swim. The shore is more pebbly than powdery, but it drops slowly into the water and has plenty of room to spread blankets and chairs. Campgrounds, picnic areas, and simple facilities sit just above the waterline, making it easy to turn a quick dip into a relaxed afternoon, though afternoon winds can kick up chop and sun exposure is intense.
03
Most laid-back river beach
Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area
Near Laughlin, Nevada • Sandy Riverfront Park • Best For Swimming With A Current
A quiet bend of the Colorado River with sandy bars, clear water, and marked swim areas just downstream from Laughlin’s casino strip.
Big Bend offers a different feel from the lakes, with sand and gravel bars right on the river and surprisingly clear, cool water. Locals appreciate the roped-off swim zones, shaded picnic structures, and straightforward day-use layout, which keeps things mellow even when Laughlin is busy. Expect a noticeable current outside the protected areas and colder water than the desert air suggests, so most visitors stay in the designated swimming stretches and keep an eye on kids near the edge.
04
Livelier lake hangout
Katherine Landing, Lake Mohave
North End Of Bullhead City, Arizona • Busy Marina Beach • Best For Groups And Boat Days
A popular Lake Mohave marina and swim area with rentals, food options, and a buzzy summer atmosphere.
Katherine Landing is where many Furnace Creek regulars go when they want both a beach and a full lake scene in one place. The roped-off swim area sits just beyond the launch ramp, with a mix of sand and small stones underfoot and constant boat activity in the background. With lodging, a store, and rentals on site, it is easy to turn a day trip into an overnight, but parking and shoreline space fill early on hot weekends, so plan an early arrival if you prefer a quieter patch of shore.
05
Most scenic cold-water escape
Willow Beach, Colorado River
South Of Hoover Dam In Black Canyon • Compact Canyon-Side Beach And Launch • Best For Paddling And Short Swims
A small but dramatic riverfront spot with cold, clear water and boat launches tucked between steep canyon walls.
Willow Beach is less about sprawling on sand and more about slipping into cold, glassy water in a narrow canyon just below Hoover Dam. There is a small beachy area and shoreline access for wading and quick swims, but the real draw is renting a kayak or paddleboard and exploring the quiet upstream stretches. Because the river here is deep and frigid year-round, locals treat it as a refreshing, shorter dip rather than an all-day swim and always bring extra layers and flotation for time on the water.