The Lakes: Established Waterfront Living Near Summerlin

The Lakes is one of the original planned lake communities in the Las Vegas Valley, built around man-made Lake Sahara in the northwest valley. Alongside Desert Shores, it's one of only two true lakefront communities in Las Vegas and it's been a sought-after address since the late 1980s.

Where The Lakes Sits

The Lakes sits just east of Summerlin, giving residents easy access to Summerlin's shopping, dining, and amenities while enjoying a distinct, established identity built around the lake itself. It's a centrally located, mature neighborhood with decades of tree growth and settled landscaping.

What Homes Cost in The Lakes

Pricing in The Lakes varies significantly depending on whether a home sits directly on Lake Sahara or in one of the surrounding, non-lakefront neighborhoods:

• Non-lakefront single-family homes: generally comparable to broader northwest valley pricing
• Lakefront homes: carry a meaningful premium over interior-lot homes, similar to the 30%+ premium seen at Desert Shores
• Condos and townhomes: the most affordable entry point into the community

Because only certain gated communities surrounding the lake have direct water access, it's worth confirming with your agent whether a specific listing includes lake frontage or just proximity.

HOA Fees

The Lakes has one of the more approachable HOA structures among Las Vegas's water communities:

• Some single-family communities: as low as $37/month
• Condos and townhomes: typically $200–$300/month

This makes The Lakes notably more affordable on the HOA side than Desert Shores' layered master-plus-beach-club structure, while still offering walking paths, waterfront parks, and proximity to nearby golf courses and fitness clubs.

What Makes The Lakes Special

• Lake Sahara access: for the gated communities directly on the water, genuine lakefront living in the middle of the valley.
• Walking paths and waterfront parks: open to the broader community, not just lakefront owners.
• Established character: mature trees and a settled, in-town feel.
• Summerlin proximity: all the convenience of Summerlin's amenities without Summerlin's HOA structure or pricing.

Desert Shores vs. The Lakes

Buyers often cross-shop these two communities since they're the valley's only true lake neighborhoods. Desert Shores offers more extensive beach-club amenities (paddle boats, kayaks, sand beaches) but with higher, layered HOA dues. The Lakes tends to run more affordable on the HOA side, with a simpler fee structure, but a smaller footprint of amenities tied directly to the water.

Who The Lakes Is Good For

The Lakes is a great option for buyers who want an established, centrally located neighborhood near Summerlin with the option of genuine lakefront living, without taking on the higher combined HOA costs of Desert Shores.

Want to see what's currently available on or near Lake Sahara? I'll help you sort out which listings actually have water access. Missy White, REALTOR®, Premier Agent Network | teammelissawhite@gmail.com