After years of neglect and trash piling up, the once-popular Government Wash in Nevada is finally getting a fresh start. Officials are reopening the place for overnight camping in Fall 2025 and adding an official launch for kayaks and canoes right on the shoreline of Lake Mead. For a lot of Las Vegas locals, Government Wash was an easy and affordable outdoor escape just an hour from the city, until it was closed in August 2024 due to misuse. But the story is changing. In a recent online meeting, park officials laid out their plan to bring the area back at a gradual pace.
This reopening plan comes after a massive year-long cleanup, as crews spent time hauling away 10,000 pounds of garbage, restoring areas damaged by unauthorized vehicle tracks, and removing dozens of illegal fire rings. It was certainly not an easy or quick fix, as it involved the removal of burnt and derelict vehicles too. One of the most shocking examples of the area’s neglect was an infamous speedboat that once stood out of the water, with its bow pointed up to the sky as though it was a monument to the lake’s receding water line. The eyesore of a boat, nicknamed as “Skyward,” was finally removed on July 25, 2025, during the Love Lake Mead restoration program.
Park officials have now brought in an experienced ranger from Mount Rainier National Park, Kat Vollinger, who has managed several successful restoration projects in the past. Under her watch, the park is building a system that will allow people to enjoy the area without causing damage to the surroundings.
Read more: The Lake That Many Call The Most Dangerous In America
Why Government Wash closed, and what’s changing
garbage by the lake – Blinow61/Getty Images
Over the years, Government Wash went from a casual lakeside hangout spot to some sort of mini village, with people camping without regulations, carving out their own roads, trampling over rare plants, and leaving behind trash indiscriminately. As the lake receded, more land opened up, which just brought in more vehicles and more damage. In five years, rangers logged over 1,000 major incidents, including illegal dumping and more serious crime. With over 100 miles of illegal roads, it was nearly impossible for rangers and law enforcement to keep the area safe. And among the main problems that bedeviled Government Wash was the lack of restrooms, marked campsites, and fire rings.
When the place finally became closed to night access, it was obvious that it needed a real overhaul. Now there will be 30 clearly marked campsites. Likewise, the park will feature new restrooms, dumpsters, fire rings, kayak and boat ramps, and overall improved infrastructure to fix the exact problems that shut the place down in the first place. With the availability of kayaking and canoeing, paddlers get a more peaceful way to experience all those wild coves, volcanic rocks, and spot a variety of wildlife like coyotes and mule deer. (Just make sure you take precautions to keep animals away from your campsite.)
To keep the improvements going, the park will have rangers on site; volunteers will help out too. Together with resident hosts, they’ll help keep an eye on things and make sure it stays safe as a worthy family-friendly destination. As Kat Vollinger specifically puts it: “We will keep a strong ranger presence and have volunteers help oversee the day-to-day use of the campground.” Here’s why you should always remain cautious when boating on Lake Mead.
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Read the original article on Explore.