Lake Mead & Valley of Fire State Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
4.3 / 5 · 7 traveler reviews
Discover the majesty of Lake Mead with this self-guided driving tour! Take in vibrant rock formations millions of years in the making! Hike fantastic desert trails. Uncover the history of ancient tribes and their strategies for survival. Witness the Colorado River’s force and learn about the ongoing struggle surrounding this life-giving source of water. All from the comfort of your own vehicle! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Your experience
Stop 1
Welcome to beautiful Lake Mead! From fossils to lost cities to fascinating historical characters, there’s no shortage of secrets to uncover here. Note: The tour is over 68 miles long, with more than 60+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Stop 2
It’s that collection of floating platforms and docks. The Lake Mead Marina didn’t start out here — it moved here! And chances are it just might move again.
Stop 3
It gets its name from the now-defunct Lake Mead Fish Hatchery, built in 1969 to grow striped bass and other trout species for sport.
Stop 4
Sunset View Scenic Overlook, offering panoramic views of Lake Mead and the desert landscape. From there, you can see the Boulder Basin, the Muddy Mountains and the Callville Mesa.
Stop 5
As the water level of Lake Mead continues to drop, many things that were once buried are now being exposed. That includes canyons! Owl Canyon was once submerged beneath Lake Mead, but has now been revealed once more for hikers to enjoy.
Stop 6
Only 1.5 miles long, this trail should take less than an hour to complete. It’s another favorite for the bird enthusiasts because the Black-throated Sparrow and House finch are attracted to the vegetation on this corridor. You might even spot a Great Blue Heron! Dragonflies love to flit around here, too.
Stop 7
Las Vegas Wash is the primary channel that returns excess water from the Las Vegas Valley to Lake Mead.
Stop 8
Up next is the Anniversary Narrows Trail! This easy 3-mile trail takes hikers through a slot canyon, and usually takes around an hour and a half to complete.
Stop 9
This is a short but steep hike. Stick it out and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic and breathtaking views of the Muddy Mountains, Bowl of Fire, and the Bitter Spring Valley.
Stop 10
The Redstone Dune Trail is coming up soon. This easy looped trail is only half a mile long, and takes less than 30 minutes to hike.
Stop 11
What’s an atlatl? It's a nifty tool that was used by the Pueblo tribes as a dart thrower or throwing stick. They were used to launch spears, and are depicted in the petroglyphs adorning Atlatl Rock.
Stop 12
Fire Cave used to be nestled within a mini wind tunnel carved out of sandstone rock. Windstone Arch stood at its mouth. Both were beloved subjects of countless photographs, thanks to their vibrant red hues and arch shape.
What’s included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
Meeting and pickup
Begin from Lake Mead Visitor Center, 10 Lakeshore Rd, Boulder City, NV. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
- The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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