Best Hoover Dam Tours From Vegas Deconstructed | Day Trip Guide

Standing strong amidst millennia old canyon, against the brute force of the Colorado River is the concrete mammoth – the Hoover Dam. The dam located along the border of the US states of Nevada and Arizona is an engineering marvel. One of the largest and earliest dams in the US, the Hoover Dam was built more than 80 years ago in 1936. A short distance of 40 miles away from Las Vegas and about 95 miles away from the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam is an ideal day-trip destination. More than 6 million tourists visit the dam each year and take Hoover Dam Tours to explore this iconic landmark.

Hoover Dam - In a Nutshell

Why go on a Hoover Dam tour from Vegas?

• The Hoover Dam is a symbol of America’s Pride and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark for its engineering innovations.
• The dam construction caused the creation of Lake Mead, the largest human-made reservoir in the USA and today you can cruise along the pristine blue waters of the lake in a traditional paddle wheeler.
• Right from the colossal proportions of the dam to its art deco style including the ‘Winged Figures of the Republic’, the dam has breathtaking aesthetics.
• A tour of the Hoover Dam provides a unique opportunity to learn about various aspects of hydroelectric power generation. Knowledgeable guides will lead you through the inner workings of the dam, explaining how it harnesses the power of the Colorado River to generate electricity.
• The Hoover Dam Visitor Center features engaging and interactive exhibits that enhance your understanding of the dam's construction, operation, and impact on the region.

Best Hoover Dam Tours from Vegas

History of Hoover Dam

It was the early 1900s, and the US Government was speculating on ways to build a dam near Boulder Canyon to control flooding of the Colorado River and produce hydroelectric power. It was only in 1931 that the site was identified and the construction awarded to Six Companies Inc. The Hoover Dam was to be a concrete arch-gravity dam, and was going to employ engineering and construction techniques that were unproven! In 1936, the Hoover Dam was completed ahead of its schedule. The dam created economic opportunities for thousands right after the Great Depression and also led to the growth of two bustling cities – Boulder City and Las Vegas.

Hoover Dam Highlights

Interesting Facts about Hoover Dam

• The dam was built two years ahead of schedule and at a cost of $49 million which is about $639 million in 2016 dollars.
• The Hoover Dam is a concrete gravity-arch dam which is thick at the bottom (660ft) and thin at the top (45ft).
• The electricity generated at the Hoover Dam supports three states – California, Nevada, and Arizona
• The dam used about 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete in the dam or enough to build a highway from San Francisco to New York. They used special cooling techniques as otherwise, the cement wouldn’t have cooled off even 125 years later!
• Lake Mead is the largest manmade reservoir, caused due to damming of the Colorado River, and stretches across 248 square miles. Visitors can see a white ring all around the lake called the ‘bathtub ring’ when the water levels are low, this white ring is due to the leaching of minerals under water.
• Over 10,000 people worked on the Hoover Dam project and about 100 men died. Visitors can see the memorial for them at the Hoover Dam Tour which states ‘They died to make the desert bloom’.

Know Before You Go From Vegas To Hoover Dam

Distance from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam

34 Miles

Duration for travel from Vegas to Hoover Dam

45 minutes

Getting from Vegas to Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam can be accessed at these GPS Coordinates: N 36.016222, W -114.737245

The dam is located on the US Highway 93 and visitors can park their vehicles on the Nevada Side of the dam at a parking fee of $10.00.

There are no public transportation options from Vegas to Hoover Dam. You can choose a tour from here that offers complimentary pickup and drop facility.

Tips for Visiting Hoover Dam

Tips for Visiting Hoover Dam

• Ensure you are carrying a water bottle with you all the time. The area around the dam be quite hot during the hot and can cause dehydration.
• Don’t carry any big luggage and any hazardous materials. You can follow the thumb rule of items that clear airport security, this is because the Hoover Dam is under intense security and there will be multiple checks throughout your time there.
• The Mike O’Callaghan- Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is right opposite the Hoover Dam and carries the U.S.Route 93. It is the best place to view the Hoover Dam in all its glory. There is a plaza where you can walk and stop to take pictures. It is also the widest concrete-steel arch bridge in the USA.
• You are not allowed to take food (even chewing gum) and beverages inside the Hoover Dam. You can fuel up at the visitor center where you can get affordable food. Or you can simply choose from the Hoover Dam Tours that offer complimentary meals.
• Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved and carry protection from the sun including sunblock, hat or scarf to protect your hair from the sun and wind.

FAQs