The Hoover Dam (originally known as the Boulder Dam) is an awe-inspiring symbol of American engineering, built during America’s Great Depression as the largest dam construction project in the world. Travelers have been flocking here for decades to see the sights.
The basic
The dam is a popular destination for day trips from Las Vegas. Visitors can take a tour of the plant, learn how the dam generates and distributes electricity, and get stunning views of the surrounding rivers, canyons, and valleys. Tour options cover a wide range of interests visit in a comedy bus, cruise in a Hummer, or even pair the trip with a stop at an outdoor shooting range.
For an epic adventure, visit the sites on a helicopter tour or opt for a mountain bike tour along the waterway. You can also take a combination tour along the Grand Canyon’s West Rim or combine a visit to Hoover Dam with a boat cruise on Lake Mead.
- Things to know before you go
- Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes and plenty of water.
- A concession stand at the base of the dam parking lot offers a variety of food and beverage options.
- The Hoover Dam Visitors Center and power plant tour are wheelchair accessible, but the dam tour is not accessible.
- Free parking is available for wheelchair users.
How to get there
Hoover Dam is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas, or 45 minutes by road, near the Arizona-Nevada border. The nearest airport is Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Parking can be found near the visitor center.
when you get there
Because of the sweltering desert heat in the summer, spring and fall are the best times to visit Hoover Dam. Expect long lines and heavy traffic on summer weekends; opt for an early morning visit to avoid crowds.
Inside the Hoover Dam
A tour of the Hoover Dam features much more than just a 726-foot (221-meter) wall. Explore tunnels drilled directly into the mountainside, hear the harrowing stories of the workers who carved them by hand, and tour the mill. The Hoover Dam Visitors Center offers even more information about America’s most famous dam.
