How to Visit the Hoover Dam

An aerial view of Hoover Dam.

The Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 on the Colorado River, and has been a tourist attraction ever since. It is ranked by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the country's top seven engineering wonders. If you're visiting either Arizona or Nevada, a side trip to the Hoover Dam is worth the time. Hoover Dam is about 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. The best way to get there is on U.S. Highway 93 from Las Vegas.

Things You'll Need

• Map to the Hoover Dam from either the Arizona or Nevada side
• $11 per adult entry fee (discounts for children, seniors, and military)
• Camera (recommended)

Instructions

1. Park in the parking garage at the Visitor Center. As of 2011, the garage is open from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Parking costs $7 (cash only). The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. Walk along and see the winged angel monument, the intake towers (Lake Mead side), and cross the street to view the actual dam (Colorado River side).

3. Take the escalators down to the tour area. As of 2011, tickets cost $11 with discounts for seniors, children under 16, and members of the military. You will have to go through a security screening, and water is the only drink allowed inside the tour facility. The tour includes a movie and a ride down a 500-foot elevator into the power plant of the dam. This part of the tour takes about 30 minutes. Two additional tours are available. Plan on about two hours total for the entire tour.

4. Check with the United States Bureau of Reclamation website if you want to drive across the dam. A new bridge opened in 2010 that changed some of the routes and eased previous traffic flow problems. As of 2011, the dam was not open to through traffic. Cars can cross the dam to visit the Arizona viewpoint, but have to turn around and go back into Nevada. There are some vehicle restrictions, and all vehicles must stop for inspection at the Nevada State Route 172 checkpoint.

Tips & Warnings

• The best times to visit the Hoover Dam are between 9 and 11 a.m. weekdays when the traffic is at its lowest level. Pedestrians are not allowed on the top of the dam when it's dark. The park asks visitors to arrive by 2 p.m.

• It is recommended to avoid the Hoover Dam on busy holidays and weekends. It can take up to 3 hours to cross the dam via car on days like these.

References

• United States Bureau of Reclamation: Hoover Dam
• USBR: Hoover Dam Crossing Guide