In 1939, Overton Beach was one of three spots opened on Lake Mead with facilities for the public. During its prime, Overton Beach was a top destination for an outdoor enthusiast. People visiting the resort were able to engage in a wide variety of recreational activities such as Boating, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, and even Scuba Diving. To accommodate the ever increasing amount of visitors, the NPS built an RV Park, additional campgrounds, a marina, and a gas station. They even went as far as to build a Ranger Station right next to the Gas Station.
During the 2000’s, things took a turn for the worst for Overton Beach. Lake Mead was experiencing a massive drought causing water levels at the beach to drop drastically. At first the NPS tried to combat this issue by extending the boat launch ramp, and relocating the marina into deeper waters. But eventually, the issue became to much for the NPS to handle. By March 31st, 2007 the facilities at Overton Beach were closed to the public. The now abandoned Marina was moved to nearby Callville Bay and the structures here were boarded up. The NPS hopes to one day reopen the beach, but by the looks of things, that hope may never become reality.
"When we see a sign that says "Danger: Do Not Enter", we understand that this is simply a shorthand way of saying "Leaving Protected Zone: Demonstrate Personal Accountability Beyond This Point"."
Ethics
