Hoover Dam
A 221-meter concrete arch dam completed in 1936, a marvel of Depression-era engineering that spans the Nevada–Arizona state line. Walk the crest or the bypass bridge walkway for views down into Black Canyon.
Hoover Dam sits in Black Canyon on the Colorado River, about 50 km southeast of Las Vegas. Built between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression by some 21,000 workers, it stands 221 meters tall with a crest 379 meters long, and used 3.3 million cubic meters of concrete. When it was finished, it was the largest dam and hydroelectric plant in the world. The reservoir it created, Lake Mead, is the largest in the United States and supplies water and power to Nevada, Arizona, and California. Art Deco details give the intake towers character, along with the bronze "Winged Victory of the Republic" statue and a floor inlaid with astronomical maps. Clocks on the crest mark the time zone difference, so you can stand with one foot in each state. Visiting options: walking the crest and viewpoints is free, and parking costs $10 (there is free roadside parking on the Arizona side). The Visitor Center ($10) has exhibits and an observation deck. The Powerplant Tour (30 minutes, about $15) shows the 17 giant generators, while the Dam Tour (1 hour, about $30, tickets sold on site, ages 16 and up) takes you through tunnels inside the dam and its ventilation shafts. The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, opened in 2010, rises 270 meters above the river. Its pedestrian walkway offers the best view of the whole dam and canyon; from the Nevada-side parking lot, the walk up takes about 15 minutes. Nearby, you can explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area (boat tours, kayaking) and the small town of Boulder City. Getting there: driving from Las Vegas on US-93 takes about 45 minutes. It is on the route to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and a stop of 1 to 1.5 hours works well as the first stop on a loop trip. Half-day tours are also available. There is a security checkpoint before the dam area, and vehicles may be inspected. Summer heat on the crest is intense, with no shade. The Visitor Center is open Monday to Sunday, 9:00–17:00, and the last tour departs at 15:45.
Opening hours
Dam crest 05:00–21:00; visitor center and tours 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Nelson Ghost Town (Eldorado Canyon)
- Ethel M Chocolates & Botanical Cactus Garden
- Neon Museum
- The Mob Museum
- Fremont Street Experience
- Sphere
- Las Vegas Arts District (18b)