Hoover Dam
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Built to control the flood-prone Colorado River, the Hoover Dam stands as one of the top engineering marvels of the 20th century. Construction of the dam took place from 1931 to 1935. About 21,000 laborers worked on the project at its various stages, often working under brutally hot conditions. Dedication of the dam took place on September 30, 1935, with President Franklin Roosevelt present for the ceremony. The project finished under budget and two years ahead of schedule.
Located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River and spanning the border of Nevada and Arizona, the dam sits 726 feet high and has a thickness of 660 feet at its base. The dam's length at its top is 1,244 feet.
One result of the dam's completion was the creation of Lake Mead, the biggest reservoir in the country and popular with boaters and water skiers. The Hoover Dam also supplies hydroelectric power to 1.3 million customers in Nevada, Arizona and California.
Today, the Hoover Dam is one of the most popular day trips from Las Vegas. You can tour the interior of the dam, and you can also take a leisurely walk across the top of the dam for free, starting in Nevada and ending in Arizona, or vice versa.
How to Get There
The closest major airport is Harry Reid International in Las Vegas. The famed Las Vegas Strip is about a 45-minute drive from the Hoover Dam. Public transport is not available, so you'll need to rent a car or take a rideshare service to visit the dam.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Hoover Dam
Visit Hoover Dam
The dam offers two guided tours. On the Guided Power Plant Tour, you'll see some of the original construction tunnels. You also get to see the Nevada Powerhouse, which has eight commercial generators. Stand on a viewing platform that overlooks a 30-foot penstock. This tour also includes the Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour.
The Guided Dam Tour includes everything on the Guided Power Plant Tour, but you also get to walk through the inspection tunnels and see the Colorado River through an inspection ventilation shaft. This tour also includes a ride on an original elevator to the top of the dam.
With the Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour, you'll get to see the exterior sites at your own speed. Walk across the dam and see the four large intake towers as well as the giant spillway tunnels. You'll also get great views of Lake Mead on one side of the dam and the Colorado River on the other side.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Guided Power Plant Tour cost $15. You can purchase these tickets online. For the Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour, tickets cost $10. This fee is actually the cost for parking if you want to park your car in the main garage on the Nevada side or in Lot 9 on the Arizona side. You can upgrade your tickets for both of these tours once you're on-site.
The Guided Dam Tour costs $30, and you can only buy these tickets on-site.
Family-Friendly Options
Your children will get a kick out of seeing the giant generators on a guided tour. They'll also marvel at the exterior intake towers as well as the majesty and beauty of the Black Canyon.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you're visiting at the height of summer, you'll want to take a walk across the dam as early as possible to avoid the hottest parts of the day. After viewing the outside exhibits, which include Monument Plaza and the Winged Figures of the Republic, head down the escalator to start your guided tour. Afterward, grab lunch at the café inside the gift shop and pick up a souvenir to take home. Before leaving the area, park at the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge overlook lot and head up to the top of the bridge. Walk about halfway across, and you'll get great views of Hoover Dam below.
During fall, winter, and spring, you should be fine spending time outside on the dam in the afternoon, although the hot days can linger into the early fall, and the late winter and early spring can get pretty windy.
No matter the time of year you visit, you'll get amazing pictures from just about any vantage point. To get a photo of both the dam and bridge in the same shot, drive over to the Arizona side and park in one of the free upper lots. Walk around until you get the best angle.
When walking across the top of the dam, look out for the art deco-themed restrooms on the Colorado River side. On the Lake Mead side, make sure to check out the state line marker. Plant one foot in Nevada and the other in Arizona to stand in two states at once.
Hoover Dam Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Canyon Trail RV Park is a large RV park in Boulder City. This city is to the southeast of Las Vegas, and it is close to Lake Mead. Canyon Trail RV Park is a family-owned property that offers free Wi-Fi access.
If you’re looking to combine nature with your trip to sin city, this National Park Service campground on Boulder Beach is a brilliant option. It’s located directly on the shores of Lake Mead with views of the Boulder Islands. It’s also mere minutes from the towns of Boulder City and Henderson, which have everything you could need. Finally, it’s next to th3 Black Canyon Wilderness Area, which has great views. All the while, you’re only 30-45 minutes from Las Vegas strip.
Duck Creek RV Park is a big RV park that’s located on the south side of town. Unlike most Las Vegas campgrounds, this RV park enforces a strict “10-Year RV Rule.” Once you’re approved to stay, you’ll find that Duck Creek RV Park is filled with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a general store, and free DVD rental.
Activities Near Hoover Dam
Things to Do
Nature watching
Just a short drive up from the dam on US-93, Hemenway Park in Boulder City offers prime viewing for a herd of bighorn sheep. Come by early in the morning to see the sheep grazing, watering, or just relaxing. You can tell the sex of the sheep by their horns: males have longer, curvier horns while females have shorter, stubbier horns.
Hiking
Take the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail to get spectacular views of Lake Mead. Park at the Alan Bible Visitor Center in Boulder City to access the trailhead. The trail heads for 3.7 miles one way through old rail tunnels used during the dam's construction.
Boating
Lake Mead has several marinas from which you can launch your boat. Check out the Lake Mead Marina or Callville Bay Marina in Nevada or the Willow Beach Marina in Arizona.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to visit the Hoover Dam. With that, from about February through April, keep an eye on the weather forecast as this is usually the windiest time of the year in the desert.
It gets pretty hot in the Black Canyon during the summer; it's best to stay indoors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the hottest times of the day. High temperatures routinely average over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from June through September. If you must venture outside during the summer, make sure to slather on the sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses and wear white- or lighter-colored clothing.
Winters are usually fairly mild, although cloudy days can drop the temperatures, making wearing a coat necessary.
Safety & Accessibility
Individuals in wheelchairs can go on all three dam tours. Parents can take strollers on the Power Plant and Self-Guided tours but not the Guided Dam Tour. Those with scooters can take part in the Power Plant and Self-Guided tours but not the Guided Dam Tour. There's handicap parking available in the main garage.
When you're driving to the Hoover Dam from the Nevada side, you'll come to a security checkpoint before you're allowed to access the dam area. Before taking one of the interior dam tours, you'll have to go through security and a metal detector.
Conclusion
Whether by itself, as part of another tour, or as part of a Las Vegas excursion, visiting the Hoover Dam gives you a chance to explore one of the top attractions in the entire country.
FAQ
Boulder Beach Campground in Boulder City offers paved sites, a dump station and Wi-Fi.
You can drive your RV across the dam, but you cannot park in the main garage. You can only park in one of the upper lots on the Arizona side.
Come prepared for excessive heat during the summer. Stay protected and well-hydrated if visiting during this time.
Yes. Families will enjoy exploring the exterior exhibits as well as taking a guided tour.
You can bring a service animal into the dam but no other pets.