Lake Mead National Recreation Area
5 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a protected area in Arizona with a measured darkness of 88/100 (≈ Bortle 2), among the very darkest measurable skies we have rated: the Milky Way casts visible shadows on moonless nights. The best month to come is typically September, when about 85% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 34/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 85%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 55% | 56/100 |
| February | 65% | 64/100 |
| March | 60% | 60/100 |
| April | 70% | 67/100 |
| May | 76% | 71/100 |
| June | 83% | 76/100 |
| July | 71% | 67/100 |
| August | 75% | 70/100 |
| September ★ | 85% | 77/100 |
| October | 81% | 75/100 |
| November | 76% | 71/100 |
| December | 59% | 59/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Lake Mead National Recreation Area: sleep under a dark sky
We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area for each.
91/100sky darkness at this stay
89/100sky darkness at this stay
88/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Meadview Lake Motel
Darkness: 82/100 · 31.5 km from Lake Mead National Recreation Area · Meadview
- Check availability →
Hoover Dam Lodge
Darkness: 54/100 · 39.1 km from Lake Mead National Recreation Area · Boulder City
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Meadview
Meadview is the closest base to Lake Mead National Recreation Area with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.
Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.
Nearby spots in Arizona
- Grand Canyon 43.1 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument 90.7 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Mount Logan Wilderness 114.9 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Mount Trumbull Wilderness 126.7 km · Sky Score 70/100
- Mooney Falls 156.1 km · Sky Score 68/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).