A Massive Resort Was Built And Then Abruptly Abandoned On A Lake Near Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas is a colorful desert flower blooming against all odds, but not every desert casino town is so lucky. Once upon a time, this abandoned resort was built on the edge of a manmade lake (Lake Las Vegas) and aimed to be the next big Nevada gambling destination. Instead, it quickly withered. Read on to learn more about this unique abandoned site, and then learn about what became of it!

The lake was formed in the late 1990s.

A group of investors decided to dam the drainage water from Las Vegas to create a waterfront community in the desert. Honestly, we're not sure why anyone ever tries to force water-based communities into places they wouldn't otherwise exist, but we digress.

Three massive casinos were built around the lake, as well as a slew of multi-million dollar homes.

It was beautiful, for sure, but unfortunately, it was ultimately not to be.

Within two years, the project was bankrupt.

The Lake Las Vegas resort was abandoned almost overnight. It quickly faded into obscurity, and slowly, urban explorers began filing into the old buildings to enjoy the decay.

At the time this article was originally written, Lake Las Vegas was mostly empty, with a few rooms remaining open for rent on the lake, in a massive hotel operated by just a handful of people.

Some places were preserved exactly as they were when they closed, but others were in ruins. But then, something amazing happened: the area received new life breathed straight into it.

Take a look at Lake Las Vegas as it is today! It's come a long way. Amazingly, it has undergone some truly incredible transformations and is nothing like the empty shell it spent so many years before. We are thrilled to see that it's being redeveloped and repurposed - after all, we're suckers for a good comeback story.

Interested in a tour of Lake Las Vegas? Check out this delightful video:

What do you think of the Lake Las Vegas history? Have you ever visited this area? We think it's worth a road trip to explore for yourself – pack up some road trip snacks and hit the road!