Where is Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is located between the states of Nevada and Arizona, on the Colorado River in the section known as Black Canyon. Interestingly, these two states are in different time zones, so depending on which side of the dam you’re on, the time will be one hour or the other.
💡Keep in mind that Nevada observes daylight saving time, while Arizona does not, so the time differs between the two states only from November through March.
How to Visit Hoover Dam
There are several ways to visit Hoover Dam: you can explore on your own, stopping at various points of interest; book a tour (usually from Las Vegas) that takes you directly to the dam or combines the visit with another destination (usually the Grand Canyon); or view this engineering marvel from the air.
How to Visit Hoover Dam on your own
If you’ve rented a car in Las Vegas or you're on a road trip along the U.S. West Coast, then you’ll most likely visit Hoover Dam on your own. If you’re wondering how far is Hoover Dam from Las Vegas, the two places are only 57 km (35 mi) apart, so it will take you between 35 and 40 minutes to get there via I-11.
If you're visiting the dam from Arizona, we think it's an ideal stop after exploring the iconic sites along Route 66 in Arizona and the Grand Canyon. It's 120 km (75 mi) from Kingman, so it will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there. Please note that there is no direct access road to the dam from Arizona; instead, you’ll have to drive through Nevada, crossing the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge.
In Nevada, before the turnoff leading to the bridge and the dam, there is a security checkpoint where you may be stopped for a vehicle inspection. Once you pass through, you can enjoy the various tourist attractions we mentioned in the section on what to see and do at Hoover Dam.
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Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas
If you don't have a car or simply want to explore the dam in comfort with a guide and have the chance to visit other places, then booking one of the best tours to Hoover Dam from Las Vegas is a great option. Although we'll discuss more options in this post, here are the tours we find most interesting.
💡Remember that if you have the Las Vegas Go City Pass, a tour of Hoover Dam is included with the Explorer and All-Inclusive plans. Use the code YOURTRIPTOUSA5 to get a 5% discount, which can be combined with any other offers on the website.
Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas
This is the only tour that only visits the dam; all others goes to other places. If you want to get straight to the point and just see the dam and a few nearby overlooks, then this is your best bet.
-Duration: 3 hrs
-What is included: pick up & drop off, transportation, guide, entry ticket and water
-Places to visit: Lake Mead Overlook, Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge and top of the dam
Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas
If, in addition to exploring the dam, you’d like to take the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon’s West Rim and its overlooks, this full-day guided tour gives you the chance to do just that. It also includes a stop at a Joshua tree forest, the option to add admission to the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk, breakfast, and lunch (with vegetarian options).
ℹ️ Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and pickup from several hotels in Las Vegas.
Flying over Hoover Dam
Did you know you can get a bird's-eye view of Hoover Dam by taking a tour in a small plane or helicopter? These tours are actually designed primarily to fly over the western part of the Grand Canyon, but during the trip, you'll pass over the dam and Lake Mead, offering unique views of this engineering marvel.
Hoover Dam + Grand Canyon Light Aircraft Tour
Small plane flights are the most economical option, since they can carry more passengers. The tour lasts about 4 hours in total, including pickup at your hotel in Las Vegas, the drive to the airport, and the 70-minute flight. These planes usually have a row of single seats on the left and a row of double seats on the right, so you might not get a window seat.
Hoover Dam + Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
A helicopter flight is a more expensive option than a small plane for several reasons: there are fewer passengers, everyone gets a window seat, there’s a 30-minute stop at the Grand Canyon for photos, and a meal is included. It’s not a cheap tour, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You can book this helicopter tour of Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon here if you’re interested. 😊
Things to See and Do at Hoover Dam
Although it might not seem like it, there're actually quite a few things to do at Hoover Dam and the surrounding area, so here are some of the best things to do:
1. Robert L. Mendenhall Scenic Overlook
If you're heading toward Hoover Dam from Las Vegas, a few miles before you arrive, you'll find the Robert L. Mendenhall Lookout along the side of the road. It's not exactly the best viewpoint—you can see the entire highway from there—but it's worth making a quick stop to get your first glimpse of the vastness of Lake Mead.
2. Lakeview Overlook
Even more beautiful is the Lakeview Overlook, a viewpoint that offers a stunning panoramic view of Lake Mead, considered the largest reservoir in the United States and a source of water for the states of Nevada, Arizona, and California.
You can't see the dam from here yet, but you can clearly see the desert that surrounds it, the lake's pier, and Rock Island, a small islet that adds even more charm to the place.
3. Scenic boat tour on Lake Mead
If you have enough time, how about taking a boat tour on Lake Mead and seeing the Hoover Dam from the water? We think that sounds like a great idea! On this 1.5-hour boat tour on Lake Mead, you’ll not only cruise across the lake, but you’ll also follow the Colorado River through Black Canyon and arrive at the dam, where you’ll get a unique view of it.
4. Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
The most famous and photogenic bridge at Hoover Dam! You definitely don't want to miss it, because this is where you'll get the most spectacular view. 😜
This bridge is located just past the security checkpoint, right next to the dam. It spans the Colorado River canyon from one end to the other, connecting the states of Nevada and Arizona. It was opened in 2010 to alleviate traffic congestion that previously passed directly through the Hoover Dam, while also improving safety in the area.
It stands 270 meters (890 ft) tall, making it one of the tallest concrete arch bridges in the world, which means it offers the perfect vantage point for photographing the dam. You can cross it by car or on foot, as it has a pedestrian lane.
This bridge is named after two American celebrities. One is Mike O'Callaghan, a Korean War veteran who served as governor of Nevada for eight years. The other is Pat Tillman, a renowned football player who gave up everything to join the U.S. Army and died two years later in Afghanistan.
5. Art Deco and Memorials at the Hoover Dam
Did you know that the Hoover Dam is unique for its Art Deco architecture? Its various elements feature geometric lines and elegant shapes characteristic of this 20th-century architectural movement.
Some of its most notable features are the water intake towers and the Winged Figures of the Republic, which you can see in the main square—two winged bronze sculptures representing the ideals of the United States.
In this same area, don't miss the grave of the dog that all the dam workers adored and who tragically lost his life, as well as the statue dedicated to the "high-scalers"—workers who would lower themselves on ropes down the walls of Black Canyon to drill holes where they placed dynamite. Next to it, you can see a memorial plaque honoring all those who died during the dam’s construction.
6. Hoover Dam Visitor Center
The Hoover Dam Visitor Center is located on the Nevada side and is a great place to learn about the dam's history, construction, and operation through its exhibits and informational panels.
Other things you can do at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center:
- Access an exclusive 360° observation deck with views of the dam, the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and the bridge.
- Join guided tours through the depths of the dam (which we’ll tell you about in the next section).
- Visit the old visitor center, where there is a 3D model of other dams in the region.
- Pick up a souvenir at their gift shop.
ℹ️ Admission to the Hoover Dam Visitor Center costs $15 (free for children under 3). Passes such as America the Beautiful are not valid here.
7. Guided tours inside the Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam Visitor Center offers two guided tours of the dam's interior, giving visitors a firsthand look at how it works:
Power Plant Tour
💵 $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 4–16, free for children under 3.
This tour, which lasts between 30 and 40 minutes, takes you through the tunnels from the original construction, to a viewing platform where you can see a 9-meter-diameter (30 foot) penstock (and feel the vibration of the water flowing through it), and to 8 commercial generators. We recommend booking online in advance.
Dam Tour
💵 $40 for adults; free for children under 3.
This is a more comprehensive 1-hour tour that takes you through the historic tunnels, up the original elevator to the top of the dam, through the inspection tunnels (where you’ll see the Colorado River through a ventilation shaft, and on a guided tour of the power plant . This tour cannot be booked online; instead, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis .
8. Lookouts on the Arizona side
On the Arizona side, there're also some interesting overlooks, such as those located in the parking area or the Hoover Dam Lookout, situated near the end of Hoover Dam Access Road at a higher elevation.
If you're an adventurer, another option is to head to the Kingman Wash area, where you can enjoy challenging hikes like the one leading to Fortification Hill (with breathtaking views of the dam and lake) or simply take a dip at Kingman Wash Beach. Keep in mind that to get there, you'll need to take Kingman Wash Road, which is unpaved and requires a high-clearance vehicle.
9. Boulder City and the Hoover Dam Museum
Boulder City is a small town located 11 km (7 mi) from Hoover Dam; it was founded in 1931 by the dam’s workers, who settled there. It features a historic district with historic buildings, art galleries, antique shops, and a collection of sculptures commemorating the dam’s construction.
One of the most interesting attractions is the Hoover Dam Museum, located in the historic Boulder Dam Hotel. Admission is free, and it’s open every day, allowing everyone to learn about the history of the people who founded the city and built the dam. It’s definitely worth a visit!
How much is the admission to Hoover Dam
Visiting Hoover Dam is free, whether you choose to view it from the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge or park at the Arizona-side parking lot and walk to it.
There is, however, an admission fee for the Hoover Dam Visitor Center ($15) and a parking fee for the lot next to it on the Nevada side ($10 per vehicle).
Where to park at Hoover Dam
Parking at the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Bridge and on the Arizona side is free; on the Arizona side, only long vehicles, trailers, and RVs are required to pay $10.
On the Nevada side, parking is paid for all vehicles and costs $10. If you want to save that money, you can park on the Arizona side and walk over to the Nevada side to explore the main plaza and the visitor center.
What are the opening hours for Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (PST). The Hoover Dam Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The gates close at 4:15 p.m.
Where to stay near Hoover Dam
If you're looking for a hotels near Hoover Dam, here are the best options (listed from closest to the dam to farthest away):
Hoover Dam Map
All the places we've mentioned throughout this post are marked on this map to make it easier for you to find them:
FAQs about Hoover Dam
Is Hoover Dam worth visiting?
Yes, it's one of the most impressive engineering feats in the United States, and the surrounding scenery is also very beautiful, thanks to both the Black Canyon of the Colorado River and Lake Mead.
How long does it take to visit Hoover Dam?
The time required will depend on whether you just visit the overlooks (allow about 1.5 hours) or take a guided tour inside the dam (in which case you’ll need about 3 hours).
Can you visit Hoover Dam for free?
Yes, access to the dam and the overlooks is free. You only have to pay if you want to park in the Hoover Dam Visitor Center parking lot ($10 per vehicle), enter the visitor center ($15 per person), or take a guided tour.
Is there free parking at Hoover Dam?
Parking on the Arizona side is free, except for large vehicles, RVs, and vehicles with trailers, which must pay $10 and park in space number 9. Parking at the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge is also free.
The parking lot on the Nevada side, near the Hoover Dam Visitor Center, charges a fee for all vehicles; it costs $10 regardless of how long you stay.
Is it hot at Hoover Dam?
It gets hot during the summer months, when temperatures can reach 40°C (104 ºF). If you visit during this season, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Outside of summer, the temperatures are pleasant.
Can you walk across the dam?
Yes, you can cross it on foot by following the Hoover Dam Access Road. You can also cross the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge, as it has a pedestrian lane.
Are there restrooms at Hoover Dam?
Yes, in the parking lot at the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge and at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.
Can you visit Hoover Dam with pets?
Pets are not allowed on the top of the dam or inside any buildings.
Is it allowed to fly drones at Hoover Dam?
No, it's not allowed.
How many people died building the dam?
The official death toll stands at 96, with the main causes being drowning, explosions, rockfalls, landslides, falls from canyon walls, collisions with machinery, and truck accidents.
We hope you found this post—which includes all the information you need to visit Hoover Dam—useful!
Carchiav, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; P, Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
