Community · Boulder City
Travel Nevada opens an outdoor adventure center in Boulder City to connect visitors with Lake Mead outfitters
Travel Nevada's new Boulder City center puts e-bike rentals, rafting, guided trips and air tours under one roof. It is part of a federal grant project aimed at growing the state's outdoor recreation economy.
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What happened
The Nevada Division of Tourism, which goes by Travel Nevada, opened the Travel Nevada Adventure Center-Boulder City last week, the Las Vegas Sun reported. The center is meant to link residents and visitors with outfitters, rentals and guided trips to Lake Mead's trails, the Colorado River and other outdoor areas.
According to the Sun, the center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at 102 Nevada Way in Boulder City. It is the first of two centers Travel Nevada has planned.
What the center offers
Businesses on site
The Sun reported that several businesses have signed on at the Boulder City location. They cover bike rentals, river trips, storage and scenic flights.
- Canyon Riders LLC, an e-bike rental and tour company
- Desert Adventures, which runs guided kayaking, hiking, biking and other trips
- Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures
- HPP Armory, a storage and locker rental business
- Loop Trail Rentals, an e-bike rental shop
- Papillon Airways, which offers scenic air tours
Guidance from staff
Experts at the center will share safety and conservation information, the Sun reported. They will also refer visitors and residents to vetted local guides and outfitters and give details on activities in the region.
Naming rights deal
Outside Interactive Inc., an outdoor media company based in Boulder, Colo., signed a three-year naming rights agreement with Travel Nevada. Under the deal, both centers will be called the Travel Nevada Adventure Centers Powered by Outside.
How the project was funded
In 2022, the Nevada Division of Tourism applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration. It received just over $3.7 million to build two adventure centers, one in Northern Nevada and one in Southern Nevada, according to the Sun.
Boulder City, which sits near Las Vegas, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, was chosen as the southern anchor. Carson City will host the northern center, which is set to open in spring 2027.
Why officials say it matters
The size of the industry
The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation describes outdoor recreation as a $24 billion industry in the state that generates $13.7 billion in economic output and supports more than 75,000 jobs. Travel Nevada officials said more than 52 million people visited Nevada in 2024. They said outdoor recreation spending rose by about $100 million to $1.8 billion.
Nevada has the second-largest capacity for outdoor recreation in the nation, the Sun reported. Some officials say the state lacks the infrastructure to support it.
National park spending
The Sun cited the 2024 National Park Service Visitor Spending Effects report, which found that 5 million visitors to park lands in Nevada spent about $327 million in nearby communities. Lodging made up 29% of that spending, restaurants 18% and recreation activities 17%. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which spans Nevada and Arizona, drew $408 million in spending across both states. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument brought in about $4.3 million.
What officials said
Rafael Villanueva, CEO of Travel Nevada, said that "sometimes, the challenge isn't convincing someone that they want an adventure, it's helping them figure out how to do that adventure," according to the Sun. He said putting tour companies and gear shops under one roof will make trips easier to plan for both tourists and locals.
The CEO of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce called the centers "an important investment in Boulder City's future as a gateway to Lake Mead and Southern Nevada's outdoor assets." Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony chairs the Nevada Commission on Tourism and the Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation. He said outdoor recreation needs to be accessible, sustainable and protected.
What to watch next
- The second Travel Nevada Adventure Center, in Carson City, is set to open in spring 2027.
- The three-year naming rights agreement with Outside Interactive Inc. covers both centers under the Powered by Outside name.
