Lake Mead via St. Thomas Trail(edit)

based on 26 tracks & routes | |

EASY

#17 hike out of 109 in Lake Mead National Recreation Area |

EASY

3.1 mi

Distance

1 hrs 55 min

Time

13 ft

Elev Gain

Overview

This is a moderate out and back trail in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This trail is through a past "Underwater Ghost Town". St Thomas was a Momon settlement which was (planned) flooded during the constriction of the Hoover Dam. This trail walks trough those ruins.There is GREAT map you can download/print ahead of time for this trail, http://npmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/lake-mead-st-thomas-trail-map.jpg. Where you can locate and find (like a Treasure Hunt) their Post Office, Ice Cream Parlor, Hotel etc. I think this is really fun to do, and I am 42 years old.

Getting Started

Getting to the trail head, you have to drive down a 3-5 mile dirt road. It is graded and a car can make it, but is DUSTY. There are bathrooms at the trail head. Once on the trail, there are many informative placards. This trail gets closed sometimes, during monsoon seasons, because several washes do through there. So if you are driving far to get there, call an office of Lake Mead National Park and ask first, https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/nature/st-thomas-nevada.htm. This trail is under 20 mins from the Valley of Fire State Park too.

Taking Children

Children are welcome. I even saw a family with a "rugged" stroller on the trail.

Rate this Hike

★★★★★

billionj 3 years, 2 months ago

We started at 9:30 am on August 30, and it took us about ah hour to do the hike. It was getting pretty hot by 10:30. I'd recommend going earlier and watching the sun rise from the highground parking area. Caution: Do not continue to head east on the cow trail when you should turn south at the end of the signs. Check your maps and reviews so you know where you're going. As always, bring plenty of water, waypoint your car, tell someone where you're going.

★ ★ ★ ★