My flight out of Las Vegas departs at 11:45am and I will need to return a rental car. I’m thinking about getting up early, driving to Lake Mead that morning then going directly to the airport. I believe it is about a 40 minute drive each way. So I won't have much time at Lake Mead.

Are there specific places I should see? (I’m mostly interested in nature photography, so I’m not going to Hoover Dam.) Is it worth the drive with that limited amount of time?

I can only say it was worth it for me, I'd never been to Vegas before so going out to Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam was very interesting but I have a different perspective as I live in Europe. Maybe for someone in the US it might not be that interesting. Red Rock might be better if interested in scenery and nature. Rented a boat and went out on the lake,

Thanks, Odin. I've been to Red Rock Canyon and loved it. We will be going (on a different day) to Valley of Fire. I guess I'm really asking what I can see at Lake Mead with only an hour or two.

I arrived very early in Vegas so drove out to Hoover Dam and then through Lake Mead to Valley of Fire SP. The Lake Mead drive was gorgeous.

"I guess I'm really asking what I can see at Lake Mead with only an hour or two."

A pretty drive and/or swim if you wanted.

I'd do it. Well, I did it. I didn't have my NP pass with me so had to pay $25 as the entrance fee. You may not decide the drive is "worth it" if you have to pay that fee though.

There is road construction going on (repaving project) so you may get caught up in that and may have to wait for a few minutes. But the project may be completed before your trip.

Mt trip was a few months ago. I did go to Lake Mead -- and I LOVED it.
It was broiling hot, so we couldn't spend much time out of the air conditioned car.
For me, that unique, unearthly beauty was swell worth the drive. I have a NP pass, so the fee wasn't an issue.

Sorry. I didn't realize this was an old thread. My apologies.

Glad you decided to go and had a great time.

FYI - temps early this week were highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s. Delicious!