If you’re exploring lakefront living in Las Vegas, you’ve probably come across two names that keep coming up: Desert Shores and The Lakes. Both offer that rare water element you wouldn’t expect to find in the desert, and both sit close to Summerlin, making them convenient and highly desirable. But they have distinct personalities, price points, and lifestyles.
Here’s a closer look at how they compare.
Desert Shores sits slightly northeast of Summerlin and was developed in the late 1980s as a resort-style lake community. It features four man-made lakes and is best known for its lagoon-style beach park, complete with actual sand and palm trees, something truly rare in Las Vegas. The community has a suburban, beach-resort feel that makes it stand out from anything else in the valley.
The Lakes, on the other hand, sits just below Summerlin and was built primarily throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It centers around Lake Sahara, a large, turquoise man-made lake, and carries a more classic neighborhood feel. Some homes here come with private boat docks directly on the lake, which adds a level of luxury that is hard to find anywhere else in Las Vegas real estate.
Desert Shores gives residents access to the lagoon beach park, paddle boats, kayaking, walking trails, volleyball and basketball courts, and picnic areas. Even if you don’t live directly on the water, you still get access to the community’s amenities. HOA fees vary by home type, ranging from around $125 per month for single-family homes up to the mid $400s for townhomes in gated communities, with access to the Desert Shores clubhouse included.
The Lakes offers walking paths, waterfront parks, and access to nearby golf courses and fitness clubs. Gated communities surrounding Lake Sahara are the only ones with direct lake access, and not all of them sit on the water. HOA fees here tend to run a little lower, with some single-family home communities as low as $37 per month, while condos and townhomes typically fall in the $200 to $300 per month range.
Both communities are Summerlin adjacent, which means everyday conveniences are never far away. Desert Shores puts you about 15 minutes from Downtown Summerlin and 10 minutes from Tivoli Village, with groceries like Trader Joe’s, Smith’s, Albertsons, and Costco all within easy reach. The Strip is about 20 minutes away, and the airport is around 30 minutes.
The Lakes edges out Desert Shores slightly on location. You’re looking at about 10 minutes to Downtown Summerlin, 10 minutes to Boca Park restaurants and Tivoli Village, and both the Strip and airport sit about 20 minutes away. Grocery options nearby include Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, and more.
Desert Shores offers a wide range of lakefront homes to choose from. Condos typically start in the low $160s, townhomes range from the high $300s to low $400s, and single-family homes start in the low $400s. If you’re looking at true waterfront estates, expect to start around $1.2 million for gated lakefront properties sitting along Lake Jacqueline, Lake Sarah, Lake Lindsey, or Lake Madeline.
The Lakes offers a similar variety at slightly different price points. Condos start in the high $100s, townhomes range from the high $200s to mid $300s, and single-family homes can start in the high $300s, depending on condition.
Waterfront estates in The Lakes start just under $1 million, making entry into lakefront living in Las Vegas a bit more accessible here. For those looking at the ultra-luxury end, there is currently a three-story estate with a basement listed at $28 million, sitting on waterfront property and coming with a separate guest house.
When it comes to Desert Shores vs The Lakes, the right choice really comes down to lifestyle. If you love the idea of a beach resort feel with a sand lagoon, paddle boats, and a vibrant community atmosphere, Desert Shores is hard to beat.
If you’re drawn to a more classic neighborhood with boating on a larger lake, private docks, and a quieter, upscale feel, The Lakes might be exactly what you’re looking for. Both communities represent some of the most unique Las Vegas real estate available, and both offer that rare combination of water, convenience, and community.
Whichever direction you lean, lakefront living in Las Vegas is a lifestyle upgrade worth exploring.
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