Hoover Dam

The dam is a popular day-trip destination from Las Vegas and transportation options range from comedy buses to mountain bikes. Learn about hydroelectric power from a tour guide, see how the dam generates and distributes electricity, and take in beautiful views of the surrounding riverways, canyons, and valleys.

You won’t need to buy Hoover Dam tickets as the attraction is free, but you may wish to join a guided tour from Las Vegas, particularly if you don’t have a car. Some tours include a Hoover Dam visit with excursions to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim or a cruise on Lake Mead. Want a bird’s-eye view? Opt for a helicopter tour.

• There are a variety of ways to see the Hoover Dam, from helicopter tours to mountain bike and boat rides.

• Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water.

• A concession stand at the base of the dam’s parking garage offers a variety of food and drink options.

• The Visitor Center and the powerplant tour are wheelchair accessible, but the dam tour is not accessible. Wheelchair users get free parking.

The Hoover Dam is near the border of Arizona and Nevada. To get there from Las Vegas, drive southeast for about 30 miles (48 kilometers). The journey usually takes around 45 minutes. The nearest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.

Because of the stifling desert heat in summer, spring and fall are the best times to visit the Hoover Dam. Expect long lines and heavy traffic on summer weekends or opt for an early-morning visit to avoid crowds.

A Hoover Dam tour features much more than just a view of the 726-foot (221-meter) wall. See the power plant and explore tunnels that workers bored directly into the mountainside and hear the harrowing tales of the people who carved them out by hand. The Hoover Dam Visitor Center offers even more information about America’s most famous dam.

To properly visit the Hoover Dam, you’ll need to give yourself at least an hour so you can see both the Hoover Dam itself and the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. If you want to explore the powerplant and the passageways inside the dam, allow two hours or more.

Yes, you can visit the Hoover Dam and theGrand Canyon in one day as these big attractions are only about a 40-minute car ride from each other. Plus, many tours—like those on Viator—offer day trips to both attractions so you don’t have to do the drive yourself.

If you’re thinking about walking across the Hoover Dam, keep in mind that it’s about a half-a-mile walk round-trip, so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes. The walk gives you views of the Hoover Dam, the Colorado River, and Lake Mead, but you can only access the area during daylight hours.

Yes (and no), you can still drive across the Hoover Dam to visit the viewpoints on the Arizona side, but anyone driving from US Highway 93 can’t cross the dam anymore. If you’re crossing to see the Arizona viewpoints, you’ll have to turn your car around and re-enter Nevada to get to US Highway 93.