The Lakes Homes for Sale & Real Estate
The Lakes is one of Las Vegas’s first master-planned communities, centered around Lake Sahara. This 30-acre man-made lake offers something rare in Las Vegas: waterfront living in the desert. The neighborhood is bordered by Sahara Avenue, Durango Drive, Desert Inn Road, and Hualapai Way. It’s about 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and just east of Summerlin, so residents enjoy a quieter, established area without giving up a great location.
Built between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s, The Lakes showed that a planned neighborhood with real amenities, mature trees, and a true sense of community could succeed in the desert. Even after thirty years, it’s still one of the only places in Las Vegas where you can own a home with a private dock and lake views.
Darren & Karen Pohl guide buyers and sellers through The Lakes’ variety of condos, townhomes, single-family homes, and custom lakefront estates. They help match each client with the right property and price for their needs.
Why Buyers Choose The Lakes
- Lake Sahara Access: Most of the lake’s three miles of shoreline belong to lakefront homeowners, so private docks, fishing, and non-motorized boating are part of everyday life for those living on the water. Swimming isn’t allowed, but the lake is stocked with bass, catfish, and bluegill for fishing.
- Established, Mature Landscaping: Unlike newer west-side communities still filling in, The Lakes has 30+ years of tree canopy, tree-lined walking paths, and landscaping that newer developments can’t replicate yet.
- Central West-Side Location: The Lakes is closer to the Strip than most of Summerlin, usually just 12-15 minutes away by Sahara Avenue or Durango Drive but still feels like a quiet residential retreat.
- A Range of Price Points: Buyers can pick from condos and townhomes in places like Park Oasis or Pacific Harbors, as well as single-family homes and custom lakefront estates, all within this one master-planned community.
- Guard-Gated and Gated Options: The Lakes offers both gated and guard-gated neighborhoods, including Canyon Gate Country Club, a 24-hour guard-gated community built around a Ted Robinson golf course.
- Walkability and Recreation: Residents enjoy almost 15 miles of bike paths, two lakeside parks with picnic areas, and small ponds throughout the community, so there are plenty of outdoor options close to home.
Homes and Sub-Communities Within The Lakes
The Lakes is made up of several unique areas, all part of the same master plan:
- Lakefront Estates: Custom and semi-custom homes with direct water frontage and private docks. These are the most limited and highest-priced homes in the community, since shoreline is finite and rarely turns over.
- Beach View Estates, Lakes Estates and Northshore Estates: These are three small, exclusive gated neighborhoods with custom luxury homes, some between 3,200 and 6,400 square feet.
- Canyon Gate Country Club: A 24-hour guard-gated golf community within The Lakes footprint, built around Canyon Gate’s private course and clubhouse.
- Condos and Townhomes: Communities like Park Oasis, Pacific Harbors, and Vista Del Lago offer a more affordable way to buy in The Lakes. These are popular with first-time buyers, people looking to downsize, and investors.
Homes in The Lakes come in many styles, from condos and townhomes to lakefront houses and custom estates. Since prices can change a lot depending on location, views, lot size, and features, Darren & Karen suggest looking at comparable sales for each property instead of using neighborhood averages.
Great Spots to Eat Near The Lakes
The Lakes has a small commercial area along Sahara and Durango, with The Springs Shopping Center and everyday spots like Albertsons and Dunkin’ nearby. For dining out, locals enjoy neighborhood favorites for Greek and seafood, or take a short drive to Summerlin and Downtown Summerlin for more upscale restaurants, steakhouses, and wine bars.
Schools Serving The Lakes
The Lakes is part of the Clark County School District. In the past, local schools have included M.J. Christensen Elementary, Patricia A. Bendorf Elementary, and Spring Valley High School. Since school boundaries can change, buyers with children should check the current zoning for any address before making an offer. Darren & Karen can find the exact schools for any home you’re interested in.
Fun Things to Do Around The Lakes
Life in The Lakes centers on the water. Residents fish for bass and catfish from their backyards, walk or bike along the shoreline, and meet at lakeside parks for picnics and barbecues. Golfers can play at Canyon Gate Country Club or Badlands Golf Club nearby. For something different, Downtown Summerlin is a short drive for shopping, dining, and entertainment, and Red Rock Canyon is about 15 minutes away for hiking and scenic drives.
Sell My House in The Lakes: What Local Sellers Should Know
Selling a home in The Lakes is a bit different from selling in other parts of Las Vegas:
- Lake position drives price more than square footage. Two nearly identical homes can sell for very different prices depending on whether one has direct water frontage and a dock. Pricing a Lakes home well means anchoring to true waterfront comparables, not general neighborhood averages.
- Buyers compare The Lakes to Summerlin. Many Lakes buyers cross-shopped Summerlin first. Marketing that highlights what The Lakes offers that Summerlin can’t: mature trees, water access, and a shorter Strip commute, which tends to perform better than marketing that competes purely on price.
- Condos and estates attract different types of buyers. A Park Oasis condo and a custom lakefront estate each need their own marketing plan, from pricing and photos to reaching the right buyers. Darren & Karen adjust their approach for each property type.
Reach out to Darren & Karen for a free home valuation in The Lakes. They’ll use comparable sales from your street and lake location to give you an accurate estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Lakes Real Estate
Is The Lakes a good place to live in Las Vegas?
The Lakes is a well-established, central master-planned community known for its water access, mature trees, and a shorter commute to the Strip than most Summerlin neighborhoods. It’s a good fit for buyers who want a walkable, established area with different types of homes all in one place.
Can you swim in Lake Sahara?
No. Lake Sahara permits fishing and non-motorized boating for lakefront homeowners and their guests, but swimming, wading, and diving are not allowed under the community’s rules.
How far is The Lakes from the Las Vegas Strip?
The Lakes is usually a 12–15-minute drive from the Strip by Sahara Avenue or Durango Drive, making it one of the most central west-side neighborhoods.
Areas We Serve Around Las Vegas
Where you live in the Las Vegas Valley can influence how buyers search and compare homes. We help you sell in these nearby areas:
Talk With Darren and Karen About Selling Your Las Vegas Home
Ready to sell your Las Vegas home and discuss your options with a local team? Talk with Darren and Karen Pohl to review your address, timeline, and next steps. You will receive straightforward answers and a clear path to list and close. Call Darren at (702) 757-8369 or Karen at (702) 563-9798. You can also email us at darren@huntingtonandellis.com or karen@huntingtonandellis.com.