When most people envision Las Vegas beyond the lights of The Strip, they think of arid desert and cacti. They’re not wrong, but the suburbs of Las Vegas are, surprisingly, home to more than a few lakes. There are even lakeside neighborhoods in Las Vegas where residents have docks for their boats. Here are four lakeside neighborhoods in Las Vegas.

Lake Las Vegas in Henderson

Lake Las Vegas

Without a doubt, Lake Las Vegas is one of the most fun neighborhoods in Las Vegas. The community is a unique enclave, and while it may borrow its name from Las Vegas, it’s really a part of Henderson. Although the Recession dried up much of the development happening in the area, there’s been a major resurgence, and homebuyers are returning to the village at heart of the neighborhood. Dubbed as an “oasis in the desert,” Lake Las Vegas grants its residents access to the 320-acre man-made lake at the center of the master-planned community.

With free parking, art galleries, restaurants, water sports rentals, and even occasional live music, locals and hotel guests can enjoy the area’s many amenities and activities. For residents living along the water, Lake Las Vegas allows them to own their own docks and boats. The lake is also a great place for paddle boarding, kayaking, and pedal boating. If you aren’t a resident in the area, you can rent these through Lake Las Vegas Water Sports.

Desert Shores

In northwest Las Vegas near Summerlin, you’ll find the master-planned community of Desert Shores. The neighborhood is spread across 682 acres with four man-made lakes, where residents can paddleboard, kayak, and fish. This community also features a lagoon-style swimming pool with a sandy beach, palm trees, volleyball courts, a picnic area, and playground. Residents also enjoy access to a clubhouse with direct lake views, perfect for community events and private parties. For more outdoor recreation, residents can also bike and walk the area surrounding the lake. As a whole, the community offers residents an experience unlike any other neighborhood.

Lake Las Vegas Beach Resort photo courtesy of Marcus

The Lakes

Much like the lake in Lake Las Vegas, the body of water at the center of The Lakes is also man-made, and it's surprisingly filled with tap water. Created in the 1980s and located near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, The Lakes is an upscale and affluent community where residents have docks and boats to spare. It’s only about two square miles, but the neighborhood includes both single-family and multi-family developments. Because there are only about 300 homes in the community, it’s a tight-knit neighborhood that’s a pretty good place to get to know your neighbors. With its own shopping plaza and the privacy of a residential lake, residents enjoy living here because it has the laid-back feel of a resort.

Silverstone Ranch

Located on the northside of the Valley, Silverstone Ranch is an upscale golf course neighborhood where the median sale price is in the low $300s, according to Neighborhoods.com data. The community has been in the news since the high-end golf course where residents bought their homes closed down. On this golf course is a man-made lake that residents can enjoy from the privacy of their homes or the country club, which can be seen in this video flyover of the neighborhood.