Straddling the border of Arizona and Nevada, located about 35 minutes outside the culturally enriching city of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a sight to behold and makes for an excellent day or road trip stop. An awe-inspiring feat of engineering, it stands 726 feet (221.4 m) tall and stretches 1,244 feet (379 m) long, making the Hoover Dam the largest dam in the United States by storage capacity. Sitting directly below U.S. Route 93, one of the main highways connecting Arizona and Nevada, travelers crossing the bridge by car might not realize a massive dam is even there, as it’s completely impossible to see.

Opening 90 years ago in 1936, it represents a monumental achievement, albeit one that sadly claimed the lives of over 100 men. Construction began in 1931 during the Great Depression and was completed in just 5 years. The project cost approximately $49 million by 1930s standards, so an equivalent of $811 million today. Built by the U.S. government during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, legislation was originally passed by Congress referring to it as “Hoover Dam,” in honor of President Herbert Hoover. However, the Roosevelt Administration balked at this, choosing the name “Boulder Dam” after nearby Boulder City. In 1947, Congress said “nope” and officially restored the name to Hoover Dam, which it has been known by for the last 79 years.

The Hoover Dam serves many important purposes, with its primary roles being flood control of the Colorado River, water storage and irrigation, urban water supply, hydroelectric power generation, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, and, of course, a massive tourist attraction. The dam houses ginormous generators that supply electricity to public and private utilities across three states: Nevada, Arizona, and California. It also holds back the vast Lake Mead, which was formed after the dam’s completion. In recent years, however, the dam’s electricity output has declined as water levels in Lake Mead have dropped. This is largely due to a prolonged drought that began around year 2000, combined with ever-increasing electricity demand as the populations of Boulder City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and countless other nearby cities surge.

The dam itself is open to the public daily from 5am to 9pm, with the Visitor Center and guided tours operating daily from 9am to 5pm, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Be advised that visitors should plan ahead, as doors close at 4:15pm; so it’s best to arrive before 4pm. The last guided tour departs at 4:10pm. Tickets for the Visitor Center can be purchased in person or online at https://hooverdam.ticketure.co/events?category=Admission. Important note: tours may be canceled without prior notice, but refunds will be provided.

We visited in mid-March, arriving around 11:15am after driving in from Las Vegas, thinking it’d be an ideal time to go with minimal crowds and comfortable temps. We were wrong. While it wasn’t obviously as crowded as peak tourism times like summertime or holiday breaks, it was still quite busy. Although we were able to find parking fairly quickly, the lot was far from empty (I think we just got lucky). After purchasing tickets to the Visitor Center, we decided to skip the introductory historical video because the screening room was completely packed. It was also surprisingly hot. This may have been an anomaly, given that the area has had one of the warmest winters and early springs on record. We learned that the vast amount of concrete in and around the dam likely didn’t help, as it tends to absorb and radiate heat.

We visited the Visitor Center and Exhibition, which features a wide range of interactive, multi-sensory displays highlighting the dam’s history, construction, and engineering. Included with the price of admission, it’s well worth the visit, as it’s both fun and informative, especially for families with children. Exhibits include a 17-foot model showcasing the dam’s inner workings, artifacts from the construction era, a recreated “Rag Town” shack, and immersive audio features such as simulated dynamite blasts and the hum of the generators.

After making our way through the exhibit center, we climbed the stairs up to Visitor Center observation deck (you can also take an elevator). From here, you’ll get another perspective of the dam, along with views of the river below and the massive highway bridge above. Access to the observation deck is available only through the Visitor Center, so you’ll need to pay the $15 admission fee to visit. Truth be told, the view isn’t that much different from what you can see from the road outside the Visitor Center. 🤷🏻‍♀️ You simply see the exact same thing from a slightly higher vantage point. Nonetheless, if you’ve already paid for admission to explore the exhibits, it wouldn’t make sense to not take a few extra minutes to check out the observation deck and enjoy the view from about 20 feet higher.

While my boyfriend and I did not take the tours due to time constraints, there are two tours available at the Hoover Dam: the Guided Dam Tour and the Guided Power Plant Tour.

The Guided Dam Tour costs $40 per person (children under 3 are free), and tickets are only available for purchase in person, on a first-come, first-served basis ‼️. This tour often sells out, so it’s best to arrive as early as possible, and your entire group must be present at the time of purchase. This tour includes access to historic tunnels, a ride in the original elevator to the top of the dam, and a walk through the inspection tunnels at the center of the dam. Visitors can also view the Colorado River through an inspection ventilation shaft, offering a unique perspective from inside the structure. The Guided Dam Tour is not accessible for strollers or motorized wheelchairs. While visitors using manually operated wheelchairs may participate, certain areas, such as the ventilation shaft, are not accessible.

The Guided Power Plant Tour costs $25 per adult and $15 for children ages 4-18 (children under 3 are free). Tickets can be purchased either on-site or online at https://hooverdam.ticketure.co/events?category=Admission. This tour includes a walk through the original construction tunnels, a stop at a viewing platform overlooking a 30-foot penstock, where you can feel the vibrations from water rushing through the pipe, and a close-up look at 8 commercial generators inside the Nevada Powerhouse. Unlike the Guided Dam Tour, this experience is fully accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and strollers, making it a more inclusive option for many travelers.

As mentioned, we did not take the tours, but my mother and stepfather did take the Guided Dam Tour. Here is their experience –

“We took the Guided Dam Tour in April 2024, which has gone up in price – we paid $30. Even at $40, it is well worth it. In small groups (20 or so) with a guide, we explored the historic inspection tunnels, where I got a great photo of myself seemingly holding up the dam. We also got to ride the original elevator to the top of the Hoover Dam. One by one, we peered at the Colorado River through the inspection ventilation shaft. Finally, we entered the power plant to see the mighty machinery that runs the dam. Unfortunately, since 9/11, visitors are not allowed into the actual control room.  It was really cool to see the inside workings of this impressive dam.”

The Hoover Dam is a federal facility, so several important regulations should be kept in mind. Firearms, explosives, and fireworks are strictly prohibited, even for those who are otherwise legally permitted to carry. Other weapons, including pocketknives, are not allowed inside any of the buildings. Drones and marijuana are also explicitly prohibited. Only service animals are permitted, and pets may not be left unattended in vehicles. Vehicles towing campers, or those with pop-up campers, will be required to open compartments or fully extend pop-ups for security checks upon arrival.

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Overall, visiting the Hoover Dam is a fantastic, (probably) one-time educational experience. While it wasn’t my most memorable travel experience, I am glad I finally crossed it off my bucket list. I’ve driven past the dam 10+ times on trips to and from Las Vegas without ever stopping, so it felt good to finally visit in person. We spent about one hour at the site, but you could easily spend 2–3 hours if you take the tours and explore all aspects of the dam. While my boyfriend and I skipped the tours due to time constraints, my parents highly recommend it. So, if you’re ever visiting Las Vegas or are up for a semi-short road trip from Phoenix or Los Angeles, come and see this impressive feat of structural engineering for yourself!