Things to do nearHoover Dam
Hoover Dam, straddling the Nevada-Arizona border, draws visitors with its Depression-era grandeur, staggering scale, and the vast blue expanse of Lake Mead.
Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression, a period when the federal government mobilized tens of thousands of workers to tame the Colorado River and bring reliable water and electricity to the arid American Southwest. At the time of its completion it was the tallest dam in the world, and it remains one of the most celebrated feats of civil engineering in United States history. The structure is a curved gravity arch dam built from more than three million cubic yards of concrete, and its art deco detailing, including the stylized intake towers and the terrazzo floors of the visitor center, reflect the design sensibility of the era in which it was built.
Visitors today can explore the crest walkway for free, moving between Nevada and Arizona as they take in views of the canyon below and the reservoir above. Guided tours descend into the dam's interior, where the original turbines continue generating hydroelectric power distributed across Nevada, Arizona, and California. Lake Mead, the reservoir created by Hoover Dam, is the largest reservoir in the United States by volume when full and supports boating, fishing, and swimming through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The surrounding landscape is raw Mojave Desert, all ochre rock and open sky, which makes the presence of the dam feel all the more improbable and impressive. Hoover Dam rewards the curious traveler who wants to understand not just what it looks like but how it works and what it cost to build, making it one of the most substantive day trips available from Las Vegas.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Hoover Dam
Visit during early morning on weekdays to avoid the heaviest crowds and enjoy cleaner views from the crest walkway.
Take the Powerplant Tour to walk inside the dam itself and see the massive generators that still produce electricity for millions of homes across the Southwest.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as the interior of Hoover Dam stays cool year-round regardless of desert temperatures outside.
Cross the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge on foot for the most dramatic aerial perspective of Hoover Dam and Black Canyon.
Arrive with a full tank of gas, as fuel options near the dam are limited and Las Vegas is roughly 30 miles northwest if you need to restock supplies.
Top tours & experiences near Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam Full-Day Colorado River Kayak Tour
Kayak 12 miles from Hoover Dam to Emerald Cave, with hikes and hot springs
Guided Emerald Cave Kayaking Tour With Shuttle
Paddle Black Canyon to Emerald Cave with shuttle and park entry
Hoover Dam Kayak Tour From Lake Mead With Shuttle
Kayak to Hoover Dam with shuttle ride and park entry included
17' Fishing Boat Rental at Lake Mohave
Enjoy a full-day rental of a 60HP boat with trolling motor for fishing, exploring, or sightseeing from Willow Beach
Canoe Rental at Willow Beach Marina
Paddle a 3-person canoe from Willow Beach Marina toward Hoover Dam
Guided Lake Mead Kayak Tour to Hoover Dam
Self-drive kayak tour to Hoover Dam with lunch and a guide
Guided Hoover Dam Kayak Tour & Hot Springs Hike
Paddle from Hoover Dam to hot springs with permits and lunch included
Hoover Dam 12-Mile Kayak Tour to Emerald Cove
Paddle 12 miles from Hoover Dam to Emerald Cove on an 8-hour guided kayak trip
Fish Lake Mead With a Guided Charter Near Hoover Dam
Guided Lake Mead fishing charter for up to 3 guests, with flexible trip lengths
Paddle Hoover Dam on a Guided Kayak Tour & Hike
Kayak from Hoover Dam and hike to hot springs with a pro guide
Tour Nelson Ghost Town & Boulder City From Las Vegas
Explore Nelson Ghost Town and Boulder City with a private guide from Las Vegas
Paddle Emerald Cave Guided Kayak Tour From Las Vegas
Kayak to Emerald Cave and Emerald Cove with a guided half-day trip
Hike Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs Near Boulder City
Hike Goldstrike Canyon to hot springs, rope climbs, and the optional Sauna Cave swim
Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight & Rim Tour From Las Vegas
Explore Grand Canyon West with a rim-to-canyon-floor helicopter flight
Explore Grand Canyon West Rim & Hoover Dam Tour
Spend 3 hours at Grand Canyon West Rim plus an exterior Hoover Dam tour
Grand Canyon West Rim Guided Tour From Las Vegas
See Grand Canyon West highlights with stops at Joshua Tree Forest and Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam Guided Tour From Las Vegas
See Hoover Dam and Lake Mead views with VIP transport from Las Vegas
Explore Grand Canyon West From Las Vegas With Skywalk
Grand Canyon West by luxury bus, with Hoover Dam photo stop and optional Skywalk
Tour Hoover Dam From Las Vegas With Walk-On-Top
See Hoover Dam with a walk-on-top tour and hot sit-down lunch
Kayak Hoover Dam & Hot Springs Hike With Shuttle
Paddle from Hoover Dam to hot spring pools with shuttle and park entry
3-Hour Guided Hoover Dam Tour From Las Vegas
See Hoover Dam in 3 hours with a certified guide
Ride a Slingshot or Trike to Hoover Dam From Las Vegas
Ride an automatic trike or Slingshot to Hoover Dam with photo stops
25' Tritoon Boat Rental at Cottonwood Cove
Rent a 25' tritoon for up to 12, with a tow bar for tubing and a smooth ride
Sunset & Stargazing Kayak Tour From Willow Beach
Paddle into sunset, then stargaze by campfire on the Colorado River
Tour Hoover Dam From Las Vegas on a Private VIP Tour
Private VIP Hoover Dam tour with Lake Mead views and photo stops
Explore Grand Canyon West by Helicopter From Las Vegas
Private Grand Canyon West tour with rim-to-floor helicopter flight
11-Hour Grand Canyon West Rim & Hoover Dam Tour
Grand Canyon West Rim time plus an exterior Hoover Dam tour
Private Grand Canyon West Rim Tour From Las Vegas
Explore Grand Canyon West Rim highlights on a private tour with Joshua trees and a Hoover Dam stop
Explore Hoover Dam Small-Group Guided Tour With BBQ Lunch
Visit Hoover Dam on a small-group tour with BBQ lunch
Ride a 2-Passenger WaveRunner Rental at Lake Mead
Rent a 2-passenger Yamaha WaveRunner with a 500 lb max weight
Self-Guided Hoover Dam Can-Am Ryker Tour From Las Vegas
Ride a Can-Am Ryker from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam on a self-guided GPS tour
Explore Hoover Dam on a 4-Hour Guided Tour
Small-group Hoover Dam tour with time to explore at your own pace
Off-Road & Helicopter Tour Over Las Vegas & Hoover Dam
Ride Can-Am off-road trails, then fly over Hoover Dam and the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Off-Road Tour & Hoover Dam Visit
2 hours of off-roading plus a self-guided Hoover Dam visit
Guided Willow Beach Fishing Charter Below Hoover Dam
Fish Willow Beach near Hoover Dam on a guided charter for up to 3 guests
Single Sit-In Kayak Rental At Willow Beach Marina
Rent a beginner-friendly sit-in kayak at Willow Beach Marina
Paddle a Tandem Kayak Rental at Willow Beach
Rent a stable tandem kayak for two at Willow Beach Marina
Custom Hoover Dam & Boulder City Guided Tour
Build your own 6+ hour Hoover Dam and Boulder City tour with flexible stops
Hoover Dam Guided Walking Tour & Boulder City Drive
Tour Hoover Dam on foot and drive through Boulder City with a guide
Explore Hoover Dam At Sunset Guided Tour
See Hoover Dam at golden hour on a guided late-afternoon tour