Temple Bar ~ Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Temple Bar is a marina resort located in the Arizona side of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. A previous article about Bonelli Bay describes where to find the access road east of Hoover Dam, which is fairly easy to miss since this section of Highway 93 is a high speed fly by area. Temple Bar Road is paved all the way to the marina complex, which is like a sigh of relief for boat trailer haulers. RV campers appreciate the smooth sailing too, since Temple Bar is a popular place to camp during the mild weather seasons. Those who prefer modern comforts are in luck too, because the Temple Bar Marina features a lakeside motel with cabins and a restaurant. The Lake Mead setting at Temple Bar is as pleasant as can be and the panoramic views of the colorful desert landscape make this destination well worth checking out.

On the downside, many of the amenities are closed seasonally, so it pays to check the official Temple Bar facility websites when making plans. The water level in Lake Mead has plummeted because of climate change, so boaters may find navigating these waters to be tricker than years past. On the plus side, the marina and boat launches are still functional and there are plenty of open waters to explore in this end of the big lake. There are numerous hidden coves and beaches that can be accessed by boat, while following the Colorado River upstream to the big body of water near Meadview is easy to do. This region is composed of towering mountains and tall buttes, so the scenery is guaranteed to be memorable. The stripe bass fishing is good too, which is all the inspiration need to make a Temple Bar venture happen!