Homes line all five lakes at Desert Shores in Las Vegas.  In the distance are 
the Sheep Mountains at the north end of the Las Vegas Valley.   

Desert Shores in Northwest Las Vegas

Desert Shores is in some ways a little-known neighborhood in Las Vegas.  It was built in the late 1980s and early 1990s around 5 interconnected man-made lakes and is just 20 minutes northwest of the Strip. And unlike the super-luxurious custom homes in Lake Las Vegas, these lakeside homes are more affordable.  

Small boats -- row boats, sculls, electric boats -- are allowed on the water and some homes with lake frontage have small docks.  Fishing is popular, too.  The homeowners association stocks the lake with fish annually. 

Estate size homes at Desert Shores in Las Vegas. While there is no swimming allowed in the lakes, many of the larger homes have pools.

All homes in Desert Shores are in the modern Spanish style -- pastel stucco with red tile roofs-- and the community is lush and green.  Now homes are available only by resale.  There are a few townhomes in the gated Desert Shores Racquet Club, some of which also have lake frontage and small docks.  

The Lakeside Shopping Center in Desert Shores is home to Marche Bacchus, a charming bistro and wine seller which has won "Best of Las Vegas".

Near the center of Desert Shores is the large lagoon-style swimming pool with a sandy beach and, during summer, lifeguards.  In the same residents-only area are basketball, volley ball and bocce courts, plus picnic and BBQ facilities.  Residents can also use paddle boats at no charge during summer months.  Desert Shores is noted as an excellent place to go cycling in Las Vegas.