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The Hoover Dam is one of the most significant engineering projects in U.S. history, spanning the Nevada–Arizona border and holding back Lake Mead, the country’s largest reservoir.

Overview:

  • Starting point: Tours depart from Las Vegas, with hotel pick-up available from select hotels along the Strip and Downtown.
  • Distance from Las Vegas: 32.8 miles (~53 km)
  • Duration of the visit: Standard guided tours run 4–6 hours, including round-trip from Las Vegas.
  • Tour frequency: Half-day tours depart at 10am and full-day tours at 6am.
  • Tours available: VIP Inside Exploration Tour, Highlights Tour, Raft Tour, and helicopter tours covering Hoover Dam and the Las Vegas Strip.
  • Best time to visit: October to April for pleasant temperatures.
  • Key highlights: Visitor Center exhibits, Lake Mead overlooks, Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Walk, and views of the Black Canyon & Colorado River.
  • Most booked tours: Hoover Dam VIP Inside Exploration Tour , Hoover Dam Highlights Tour , and Hoover Dam Raft Float Half-Day Tour.
  • Nearby landmarks: Antelope Canyon (295 miles) and Grand Canyon West (169 miles)

What to expect on your Hoover Dam tour

Tour bus driver waving at guests near National Park Express bus.
Hoover Dam spanning Colorado River at sunset, USA.
Tour buses parked at a scenic stop during a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam tour.
Exhibit showcasing Colorado River and desert landscape at Hoover Dam visitor center.
Guest enjoying the sun near Hoover Dam before rafting adventure.
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Guided exploration

Most tours are led by expert English-speaking guides who bring the Hoover Dam’s history and engineering to life. Learn fascinating facts, explore key viewpoints, and learn how this 20th-century marvel was constructed. A guided experience ensures you don’t just see the dam—you truly appreciate it.

Panoramic landscape views

From towering viewpoints and the iconic Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Bridge (270 m high), take in sweeping vistas of the Colorado River, Black Canyon, and Lake Mead. The landscape offers photo opportunities that showcase the dam’s scale and its contrasting desert surroundings.

Hassle-free transportation from Las Vegas

Enjoy round-trip transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles directly from the Las Vegas Strip. Skip the planning stress—sit back, relax, and take in scenic desert views as you head toward Hoover Dam, just a short drive away (45 minutes) from the city.

Visitor Center exhibits

Explore interactive exhibits at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center, which detail the dam's construction, significance, and ongoing impact. Highlights include original artifacts, historical displays, and educational presentations, giving you a deeper understanding of how the dam continues to power the region.

Multiple adventure choices

Choose the Hoover Dam experience that best suits you. Options include quick sightseeing tours, aerial tours, in-depth VIP tours, or even rafting in the Black Canyon. Whether you want a short, half-day visit or a full-day adventure, there’s a tour for every traveler.

Things to know before booking your tour

  1. All Hoover Dam tours include round-trip transportation from Las Vegas, which is a 45-minute drive. But due to the popularity of the destination, parking fills up quickly. Opting for a tour with transportation means you skip the stress of renting a car, navigating the desert highways, and finding parking. 
  2. Pickup points from Las Vegas are largely from select hotels along the Strip and Downtown. Check your ticket voucher for details.
  3. The Highlights Tour covers the essentials–construction and history, without stepping inside. To delve deeper, beyond the stories, there is a VIP Exploration Tour , a guided tour of the dam’s interiors, including the Power Plant Room with the active turbines.
  4. Exteriors & interiors sound too mainstream? Glide underneath the Hoover Dam on a raft , looking up at close-up details of the dam’s construction, including the old footbridge.
  5. The Memorial Bridge is a 900-foot viewpoint that is included in all the guided tours. What if you can climb higher? The Helicopter Tour covers the entire Las Vegas Strip, including the Hoover Dam, Bellagio Fountains, and Downtown.
  6. Combine your Hoover Dam tour with another popular tourist attraction, the nearby Grand Canyon West Rim, either by bus or helicopter , for a full-day adventure.

Hoover Dam tours explained

Visitor overlooking Hoover Dam reservoir during exploration tour.

Guided tours

Cover the essentials of the dam, including Art Deco details & sculptures on the exteriors and stories of construction and history.

Want more? Walk 500 feet into the Power Plant Room to view the turbines in action and the famous Generator Room.

Recommended tours:

  • Hoover Dam Highlights Tour
  • Hoover Dam VIP Inside Exploration Tour
Guests lining up to board rafts for Hoover Dam sightseeing tour.

Raft tours

Take on a unique experience by gliding underneath the dam aboard a motor-assisted inflatable raft. Look above for close-up construction details of this engineering marvel from the 1930s. The landscape views from down here, too, are inaccessible from above the dam.

Recommended tours:

  • From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam Raft Float Half-Day Tour
Red Papillon helicopter flying over Lake Mead near the Grand Canyon.

Helicopter tours

Fly higher than the 900-foot Memorial Bridge to catch aerial views. Take off from Las Vegas on an exhilarating helicopter ride that covers more–the Vegas Strip, Black Canyon, and Bellagio Fountains, in 40 minutes.

Recommended tours:

  • 40-min Las Vegas Strip and Hoover Dam Helicopter Tour
Skywalk glass bridge over Grand Canyon West Rim, Arizona, USA.

Combo tours

A 4-hour drive away is yet another popular tourist attraction, the Grand Canyon. Combine both visits and experience the desert landscapes your way.

Tour the West Rim by road, with optional access to the Skywalk that lets you look down 4,000 feet below, while standing on it. Or, catch aerial views on a helicopter with a floor landing at the Canyon.

Recommended tours:

  • Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West & Hoover Dam Bus Tour with Optional Skywalk Entry
  • Grand Canyon West Rim Entry Tickets with Skywalk Access
  • From Las Vegas: 70+ min Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour plus Canyon Floor Landing with Champagne

Highlights of your tour

Hoover Dam towers and reservoir view from a scenic overlook.

Hoover Dam Overlook

Stand atop the dam for stunning views of the Colorado River, Black Canyon, and surrounding desert landscapes.

Aerial view of Hoover Dam and Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, Nevada.
Hoover Dam turbine generators inside the power plant during exploration tour.
Hoover Dam worker mural and historical photo exhibit at Boulder City and Hoover Dam Museum.
Lake Mead marina with boats and docks viewed from a high vantage point.

Plan your visit

Hoover Dam with surrounding desert landscape in Boulder City, Nevada.

Open daily from 5am–9pm (PST)

  • The Visitor Center and Tours are open daily from 9am–5pm.
  • Early closure on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas at 4:15pm .
  • The last tour departs at 4:10pm; the dam is open for self-exploration till 9pm.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during spring (March–May) and fall (September–November), when temperatures are pleasant and crowds are smaller. Summer (June–August) afternoons can be very hot, so early mornings (the first tour starts at 9am) year-round are ideal for comfortable exploring and sightseeing.

Address: 2786+CW Boulder City, Nevada, USA | Find on Maps
Hoover Dam is located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, on the Nevada-Arizona border.

Getting there:

  • By car: Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas via US-93, with parking available on both the Nevada and Arizona sides.
  • Guided tours: Most visitors opt for tours with round-trip transportation from Las Vegas, saving time and the hassle of parking.
  • By bus/shuttle: Several operators run daily departures from the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown hotels, with a fixed schedule.
Wheelchair accessible path with sign, USA.
  • Accessibility varies across the dam, depending on the tour you are on: While the Inside Exploration Tour and Highlights Tour are wheelchair and stroller-accessible, the Half-Day Raft Tour is not.
  • Service animals, which are trained to assist a person with a disability, are allowed on site.
Security officer conducting bag check at public event.
  • All vehicles are inspected at the Nevada Security Checkpoint; refusal means no entry beyond the checkpoint.
  • No stopping on top of the dam; use designated parking areas for pick-up and drop-off.
  • Weapons, firearms, knives, explosives, fireworks, marijuana, and drones are prohibited on Hoover Dam property.
  • Visitor Center screening is required—all personal items are checked, and metal objects must be removed before entering.
  • Service animals only; pets and comfort animals are not allowed on the dam or inside buildings.
  • Parking is limited; use the Nevada garage ($10) or Arizona lots for oversized vehicles, RVs, and trailers.
  • Dress appropriately; shirts and shoes are required in buildings, and attire with offensive graphics or unsafe fit may be denied.
  • Prepare for outdoor conditions—much of the tour is outside, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for desert weather.
Woman drinking water while hiking with mountain view in background.
  • The major part of your tour takes place outdoors; wear protective clothing.
  • Carry a refillable water bottle; water sold onsite is pricey.
  • Tip your guide for their services; it’s not included in the ticket.
  • If you’re afraid of heights, skip the Memorial Bridge walkway (stands at 900 feet above the Colorado River); even those comfortable with heights say it’s a dizzying experience, but the views are unmatched.
  • If you have the time, bike or hike the Historic Railroad Trail for a scenic and active way to approach the dam.

Beyond Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon National Park canyon and cliffs at sunset.

Grand Canyon National Park

Just a few hours from Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon offers breathtaking viewpoints, rim walks, and hiking trails. Its layered rock formations reveal millions of years of Earth’s history, while sunset and sunrise views create unforgettable moments.

Person exploring narrow sandstone walls in Upper Antelope Canyon, Arizona.

Antelope Canyon

Located in Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is famous for its narrow sandstone passageways, swirling patterns, and beams of sunlight that illuminate the canyon walls. This slot canyon is best explored with a guided tour, making it one of the most photographed natural landmarks near Hoover Dam.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area entrance sign near Hoover Dam.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Created by Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States and a hub for outdoor adventure. Visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking, fishing, and hiking while surrounded by dramatic desert landscapes, making it a perfect complement to a Hoover Dam day trip.

Frequently asked questions about Hoover Dam tours

How long do Hoover Dam tours usually last?

Most tours last between 4–6 hours when departing from Las Vegas, including travel time. If you’re just visiting the dam itself, expect to spend 1–2 hours exploring.

Do I need to book my tours in advance?

Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended for most Hoover Dam tours, especially those departing from Las Vegas, as they often sell out. However, the official Guided Dam Tour cannot be booked online; tickets are only sold on-site, in person, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I visit the Hoover Dam without a guide?

Yes, you can drive yourself to the dam and explore on your own. However, guided tours provide deeper insights, easy transport, and time-saving convenience.

Is a guided tour worth it?

Absolutely. A guided tour not only covers the history and engineering marvels but also removes the stress of planning, parking, and navigating.

Are hotel pick-ups available for Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas?

Most tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off from major hotels along Las Vegas Strip, making the experience seamless and hassle-free.

Do tours include access inside the dam?

There is an exclusive Hoover Dam VIP Inside Exploration Tour , which includes access to the Hoover Dam Powerplant and interior tunnels.

Are meals included on Hoover Dam tours?

Meals are not usually included, though some may offer bottled drinking water. Most itineraries allow time to purchase food nearby.

Are children allowed on Hoover Dam tours?

Yes, children are welcome. Families often enjoy the experience, though really young kids (aged 3 and below) may not be able to appreciate the tour.