Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
A 726-foot wall of concrete that tamed the Colorado — plus America's largest reservoir, 45 minutes from the Vegas Strip.
The dam, in context
Built in just five years during the Great Depression, Hoover Dam stands 726 feet tall — a third higher than the Washington Monument — and created Lake Mead, at 112 miles long the largest reservoir in the United States. It's simultaneously a jaw-dropping engineering spectacle, a National Historic Landmark, and (thanks to the 2010 bypass bridge) much easier to visit than it used to be.
Which tour is worth it?
| Tour | Price (approx.) | Time | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center only | $10 | 1 hr | The dam-top views and exhibits — great value if you're on a budget |
| Power Plant Tour | $15–$20 | 1 hr | Ride the elevator 530 ft down to see the generators — the classic |
| Dam Tour | $30 | 1 hr | Adds the inner workings and original construction tunnels; best on low-traffic days |
| Hoover Dam bypass bridge walk | Free | 30 min | Not a tour — the elevated pedestrian walkway on I-11 gives the postcard view of the dam |
Go for the free viewpoint first
Park in the free lot at the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (watch for "viewpoint" signs on I-11) and walk the pedestrian span. You'll get the full dam-in-the-canyon photograph — the same angle used on postcards and movie posters — before spending a cent.
Practical visiting: parking, security & tickets
- Parking: garages near the dam cost ~$10; the free bridge-viewpoint lot is a short walk away. In summer, park closer — the bridge walk has no shade.
- Security: the dam is a federal facility — expect a checkpoint; leave oversized bags in the car.
- Book ahead: tours sell out, especially winter weekends and holidays. Reserve online or first thing in the morning.
- Hours: visitor center roughly 9am–5pm daily (tours until ~4pm).
Lake Mead after the dam
Tacking Lake Mead onto the same trip is easy and cheap:
- Lake Mead Visitor Center — quick exhibits and the classic "elevation line" photo: the high-water mark on the canyon wall where the lake level used to sit.
- Kayak & paddleboard rentals at Boulder Beach, Lake Mead Marina and Callville Bay — calm water, 100°F summer afternoons, surreal scenery.
- Hoover Dam sunset tours on the lake itself give a totally different perspective from the water.
- Boulder City — Nevada's only city that bans gambling; grab lunch at an old-fashioned diner and stroll its historic downtown on the way back.
Honest tips
- Summer is brutal: 105–115°F on the dam's exposed walkways. Visit in spring or fall, or before 10am in summer.
- Half-day is enough: the dam itself takes 2–3 hours with a tour; add Lake Mead and lunch in Boulder City for a full day.
- Combine, don't cram: Hoover Dam + Valley of Fire is a legendary (if long) day loop via I-11 and the Valley of Fire Highway — start early.
- The reservoir is low: Lake Mead's shoreline has retreated dramatically; check current water levels if boating is essential to your plan.
See the state's other icon
A 40-minute drive north turns your Hoover Dam day into a two-park classic.