Nelson Landing, Nevada

(updated on Jan. 30, 2008)

Distance from Las Vegas : 47 Miles
Time of year to visit : All Year
Gasoline Available : No

Services Available :


Road Conditions :
Nevada Department of Transportation

Tourist Information :
Nevada Commission on Tourism
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

Nelson Landing History:
As you make your way towards the Colorado River you will enter El Dorado Canyon where the richest claims in Nevada history were staked. Gold and Silver were discovered here in 1859 and soon the richest mines in the state were started. In the 1880's the town of Nelson grew to a population of 500 men. Many of which were said to be deserters from both the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. It was assumed that the isolated location of the town would discourage military authorities from looking for them.

The town of Nelson was named after Charles Nelson, a prospector who was slain at his mine in 1897.

In 1974, Nelson's Landing is noted for washing into the Colorado River after a strong downpour in the regional mountains sent the runoff down the channels and produced a flash flood. There are five wide channels that run from the local mountains toward the river. The proble is that they all converge into a small outlet where Nelsons Landing was. The entire landing and the village was destroyed and nine people lost their lives when the flood came through the wash. The wall of water and debris was reported to be about 40 feet high as it reached the river.

Directions:
• Take US-93 South / US-95 South leaving Las Vegas towards Boulder City
• Merge onto US-95 S / VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY toward SEARCHLIGHT / LAUGHLIN / NEEDLES and continue for approx. 10 miles,
• Turn LEFT on NV-165 and continue for 11. miles until you reach Nelson, NV.
• After you reach Nelson, NV, Continue on for 1.6 miles until you reach Nelson's Landing and scneic overlook circle.