Atlas › Lake Mead / Valley of Fire NV
Anniversary Narrows
not verifiedpermit verified 2026-08-20
ACA 1A
High flood risk
Henderson, NV
Short Lake Mead NRA narrows of folded gypsum and limestone, called Lovell Wash on most agency maps, reached by a sandy 4WD approach off Northshore Road.
Rick Ianiello's Black Canyon guidebook calls this the best non-technical canyon in the area. Two shallow water spots near the entrance are usually trivial to bypass on dry ledges; depth varies after recent storms.
Logistics
| Manager | NPS Lake Mead NRA |
|---|---|
| Permit | No canyoneering permit is required, but entry is not free. NPS states that all park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass on entering Lake Mead National Recreation Area, charged per vehicle, and the fee is required even to pass through the park. The park went cashless on 1 January 2024 and entrance stations accept card payment only. Lake use and vessel fees are separate and apply only to boaters. |
| Distance | 3.3 RT |
| Elevation | ~236 ft gain |
| Time | 1-4 hr |
| Technical | Non-technical narrows hike (rated 1A II). Knee-deep water in two short spots about 200 ft into the slot is normally easy to bypass. Walls of folded gypsum and limestone, locally called Lovell Wash or Lovell Slot Canyon. |
| Season | Oct-May. Avoid summer heat. |
| Flood risk | High. Short, committing slot; cancel on any rain in the upper drainage. |
| Vehicle access | 4WD high-clearance recommended for the access road off Northshore Rd. Sandy washes on the approach. |
| Crowd | Moderate. Popular with Las Vegas-area canyon hikers. |
| Coordinates | 36.2164, -114.7062 |