The Best Swimming Holes In Nevada

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: August 16, 2023
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Just considering Nevada’s most crystal-clear swimming holes will make you appreciative of the pleasant temperatures that allow for outdoor swimming. Here are some of the top swimming spots in Nevada, ranging from swimming holes in hot springs (with temps between 90 and 100 degrees). We can help if you’re searching for the purest and clearest lakes in Nevada. 

The swimming areas we’ve selected in Nevada range in size and depth. No matter where you go, you’ll get wet and create a wave before the temperature starts to cool down by the end of the summer! You might not be able to swim in circles at some or dive in at others.

Diver’s Cove

On Tahoe Blvd. and Highway 28, Sand Harbor is 5 miles south of Incline Village, Nevada. SCUBA diving, among other beach and ocean activities, is quite popular in this region. When it’s nice outside, parking spaces fill up quickly, so if you don’t want to carry your things too far, get here early. 

Diver’s Cove features shallow-water boulders to explore, a buoyancy control obstacle course built of PVC pipes, a little sunken boat, a Project Baseline station, as well as a few other man-made anomalies. This region has some good pass-throughs among rocks and is typically approximately 30 feet deep. 

Individuals who are interested in venturing past the swim buoys will find a sandy hill that swiftly descends into the water’s depths, where they can encounter sizable submerged trees and the unusual rocky outcrop. 

The cove is home to numerous crawdads and rainbow trout have been observed to linger out there. Shore diving is simple because of the beach’s gentle slope. On weekends, you’ll often find open water classes, unless it’s extremely cold.

Big Warm Spring

This is the largest of two springs in the area known as Big Warm Spring.

©iStock.com/Wirestock

Duckwater Hot Springs

Even if you have lived in the United States for a long time, you may not frequently have the opportunity to travel to a location that is privately owned by an indigenous community. But if you’re a fan of hot springs, it’s a different story. 

A four-hour trip across the wilderness from Las Vegas brings you to the remote Duckwater Reservation. Although there was no pavement in the region surrounding the hot springs, the road’s surface was in decent shape. The hot spring was marked as holy and open for public use at the entry by a sign. 

This is the largest of two springs in the area known as Big Warm Spring. To get to the water, there is a staircase with a handrail. The water is about as deep as the chest of a typical adult. The transparent, tasteless, odorless water is colorless and appears a gorgeous shade of blue in the light.

Black Canyon Water Trail

The spectacular Black Canyon Water Trail, which runs along a flat, gorgeously emerald section of the Lower Colorado River in Lake Mead National Recreation Area between Hoover Dam and Arizona’s Willow Beach, is one of the most action-packed day trips from Las Vegas. 

Kayak over 30 miles of serene nature, pausing to swim and relax at sandy beaches, vibrant coves, private hot springs, and the magnificent and appropriately named Emerald Cave. Keep a watch out for bald eagles, coyotes, desert bighorn sheep, and other wildlife because it’s abundant here. 

The local river rats at Desert Adventures provide all you need for equipment rentals or guided trips, including weekenders.

Emerald Cave

Kayak over 30 miles of serene nature, pausing to swim and relax at sandy beaches, vibrant coves, private hot springs, and the magnificent and appropriately named Emerald Cave.

©Natalie Bravo/Shutterstock.com

Laughlin

Navigate the Colorado River Corridor south to Laughlin for a variety of on-the-water fun if wet and wild adventures pique your interest. Bring a meal and relax on the sandy beach at Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area. 

A number of waterfront hotels provide jet ski rentals directly on the docks. Enjoy a roundtrip excursion to Lake Havasu with London Bridge Jet Boat Tours and see the original English landmark that was taken apart, shipped, and then piece by piece reassembled there. 

Alternately, unwind aboard a Laughlin River Tours sunset dinner cruise. Then, salute a successful day by making your way to one of the many bars or taprooms along the Laughlin Riverwalk.

Lake Havasu Arizona

Enjoy a roundtrip excursion to Lake Havasu with London Bridge Jet Boat Tours.

©Pamela Au/Shutterstock.com

Sparks Marina Lake

Sparks Marina Lake is one of the most well-liked swimming spots in Sparks, Nevada. It boasts of calm, serene waters, dedicated swimming zone, and on-duty lifeguards. Additionally, the sands of Sparks Marina Lake make it a desirable location for a nice lunch or a day of sunbathing. 

Sparks Marina Lake offers opportunities if you want to engage in further water-based hobbies. Fishing and non-power boating are two more popular water sports that can be done in the lake’s designated zones. If you want a relaxing pre- or post-swim stroll, hiking trails weave along the lakeshore.

Sparks Marina Park

Sparks Marina Lake is a well-liked swimming spot in Nevada thanks to its calm, serene waters, dedicated swimming zone, and on-duty lifeguards.

©Gchapel/Shutterstock.com

Mandalay Bay Beach

Mandalay Bay Beach is the ideal location to visit if you want to go swimming nearby to other Las Vegas attractions. The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is home to the artificial beach known as Mandalay Bay Beach. This is a great choice for tourists traveling with small children! 

A variety of swimming pools with different activities are located on the shore. The lazy river and the wave pool that mimics ocean waves are two of the Mandalay Bay Beach Resort’s main draws. 

Lifeguards are on duty at Mandalay Bay Beach to make sure that everyone has a good time while being safe. Swimming at Mandalay Bay Beach also makes it simple to reap the benefits of all the resort’s other amenities, including exploring the casino, afterward.

Mandalay bay

The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is home to the artificial beach known as Mandalay Bay Beach. This is a great choice for tourists traveling with small children!

©iStock.com/drserg

Caesars Palace

On a similar note, Caesars Palace has great swimming on the strip as well! If you’re seeking a great place to escape the heat, Caesars Palace is a must-see location. Seven pools can be found at Caesars Palace. This includes the renowned Bacchus Pool, which is only accessible to royalty and notable people. 

Even though you might not be able to enter Bacchus, you can still swim laps in the other pools while keeping an eye out for famous people. Despite the fact that some pools in Las Vegas are near casinos, Caesars Palace’s Fortuna Pool features a swim-up table. 

The Palace has a lot of pools, and many of them have themes. If you want a massage, for example, you can go to the Book Qua Bath & Spa. It features a massage table beside the pool for the most peaceful experience.

Caesar’s Palace

Seven pools can be found at Caesars Palace, including the renowned Bacchus Pool, which is only accessible to royalty and notable people.

©Aaron Kaplan/Shutterstock.com

Soldier Meadow Spring

On private land, Soldier Meadow Hot Spring is accessible to the general public for a modest price. In this historically significant region, there are numerous hot springs. Soldier Meadow notably is one of the cleanest swimming areas in Nevada. 

The spring has a sandy bottom and a diameter of roughly 5 feet. The water in the pool is typically 100 degrees. The other neighboring springs shouldn’t be used for bathing because they are significantly hotter. The Black Rock Range and the Soldier Meadow region will be clearly visible to you. 

You can find more details in the Black Rock Desert pamphlet. Visitors should always test a hot spring before getting in. A hot spring should always be tested for temperature before entering. To avoid slipping or tripping over something sharp, put on some water shoes or sandals. Keep your head above water when bathing in hot springs. Some of them contain organisms that are dangerous to people.

Summary of the Best Swimming Holes in Nevada

Swimming HoleLocation
1Diver’s CoveSand Harbor
2Duckwater Hot SpringsDuckwater Reservation
3Black Canyon Water TrailLake Mead National Recreation Area
4LaughlinBig Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area. 
5Sparks Marina LakeSparks, NV
6Mandalay Bay BeachLas Vegas
7Caesars Palace Las Vegas
8Soldier Meadow Springnear Gerlach, NV

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Wirestock


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Where is a kid friendly place to swim?

The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is home to the artificial beach known as Mandalay Bay Beach. This is a great choice for tourists traveling with small children!

Where to visit for a variety of water activities?

At Lake Mead, you can go swimming as well as engage in a number of water sports like tubing, water skiing, kayaking, and other types of boating. Due to its depth, Lake Mead is a popular spot for freshwater scuba diving among locals and tourists in Las Vegas.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.