Is Hoover Dam Worth a Day Trip From Las Vegas?

Interesting fact: Lake Mead, created by Hoover Dam, is the largest reservoir in the U.S. Its highest recorded water level was in July of 1983, the year I was born, at 1,225.44 feet. Its lowest recorded water level was in July of 2022, the year I moved to Las Vegas, at 1,040.71 feet. For better or worse, I feel like that gives me a little personal connection to the dam.

Unfortunately, Lake Mead is expected to drop even lower in the near future due to the megadrought and overuse of the Colorado River. If – or more likely, when – it drops below 1,035 feet, they will probably have to start shutting down some of the older turbines.

Perhaps for that reason, now is a great time to visit Hoover Dam.

Quick Answer

Yes! Especially if you enjoy history, engineering, or just learning how things work, Hoover Dam is worth a day trip from Las Vegas. It’s an iconic location that was central to the development of the western U.S., and it’s shown up in movies and TV shows since before it was even completed. (If you ever find a copy of, or somewhere to stream, 1934’s The Silver Streak, let me know!)

I do wish the tour had been a little longer, but maybe there just isn’t that much to see inside a dam. I mean, it is 6.6 million tons of almost entirely solid concrete… So, there are only a few areas you can physically walk through. Nevertheless, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor, too.

Hoover Dam Overview

Built during the height of the Depression, Hoover Dam was completed two years ahead of schedule and under budget! When it opened in 1936, it was the tallest dam in the world, and it’s still in the top 20 tallest concrete arch-gravity dams. Thousands of people were employed to do everything from scaling canyon walls and jackhammering loose rock to designing 30-foot winged bronze sculptures.

To this day, Hoover Dam is still considered an engineering marvel. It regulates flooding of the Colorado River, supplies drinking water to approximately 20 million people, and provides electricity to more than 1.3 million people across three states. I find it interesting, though, that only a small percentage of Las Vegas’s electricity comes from Hoover Dam’s hydroelectric production.

How Far Is Hoover Dam From Las Vegas?

Hoover Dam is about 40 miles from the central Las Vegas Strip. Depending on what time you leave, it’s about a 45-minute to one-hour drive (mornings are better).

If you don’t have a car, many tour companies will pick you up from the Strip and take you to the dam – often bundling in a few stops along the way at places like Seven Magic Mountains.

Any vehicle approaching the Dam, whether staying for a visit or just driving across, must stop for a security inspection. Every time I’ve been, they’ve just asked if we’re carrying any banned items (fireworks, firearms, explosives, drones, etc) and check the underside of the car with the mirror-on-a-stick thing. It usually takes two minutes or less, but I imagine the line of cars could get long when it’s busy. Also, although I’ve never seen it, I hear you could be selected for a fun random check (like getting the dreaded “SSSS” on your boarding pass).

What You’ll See and Do

After the vehicle inspection, you’ll make your way to the parking deck, pay your $10 per vehicle parking fee, and find a spot. Going in the mornings, I’ve never had any trouble finding a decent parking spot.

Note: If you’re wanting to get that shot of the Hoover Dam, the Hoover Powerplant, and the Colorado River together in all their glory, the “Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge” (that’s a mouthful) is the spot for that. Shortly after the inspection station, there is a parking lot off to the right – signage will say “Bridge Scenic Overlook”. From that lot, a zigzagging, paved path will take you up to the bridge itself, where you can walk out to the center and take a photo looking back toward the dam. Don’t worry, the pedestrian area is well protected from the cars and trucks zooming along Interstate 11. Be warned, though, it can get pretty windy!

The High Scaler Cafe and Hoover Dam Store are at the base of the parking deck, but save those for the way out. The walk from the parking deck to the Visitor Center is longer than I expect every time, so just make sure you’ve got your hat and sunscreen on.

Once inside the Visitor Center, you’ll get another security screening. This one is just the usual “empty-your-pockets-and-metal-detector-wand” deal that I feel we’ve all grown used to, especially at government facilities.

Next, it’s on to the ticket counter and then the waiting area for your tour start time. There are three tour options. The Visitor Center and Guided Power Plant Tour tickets can both be purchased ahead of time, but if you want to take the most detailed option, the Guided Dam Tour, you’ll have to purchase, or upgrade your ticket, in person. If you’re interested in a little more detail about the tours, I’ll be writing up a comparison soon.

Both guided tours start with a 10-minute video about the history of the dam and then head down to the power plant. After that, the plant-only tour heads back up topside, while the dam people split off to go a bit deeper into the workings.

Regardless of which tour you take, be sure to leave time afterward to walk around the top of the dam a bit. The views are amazing, the Art Deco towers are beautiful, and you can stand in both Nevada & Arizona at the same time. Or, pretend you’re in a movie, like Fools Rush In or National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, or a TV show like Westworld. These, along with many others, had memorable Hoover Dam scenes.

Time Needed

I would allow a half-day for visiting Hoover Dam from Las Vegas. The Guided Dam Tour is about an hour, so when you factor in the drive, the security checks, and a little time to check out the exhibits and gift shop, you’re probably spending three to four hours on this outing.

You could take less time if you opt for one of the shorter tours, or it could take a little more time if you want to check out more of the scenic viewpoints around the area.

I think combining a morning at Hoover Dam with an afternoon exploring Boulder City is a great way to spend a day in Southern Nevada! Boulder City was established to house the workers who built the dam and has grown into a charming, artsy, historic town.

Cost of the Day Trip

• Parking: $10 per car
• Admission
  • Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour: $15
  • Guided Power Plant Tour: $25
  • Guided Dam Tour: $40

For two people, a visit to Hoover Dam can cost between $40 and $90. If you’re renting a car, be sure to add that cost in.

As I mentioned earlier, there are several tour companies that provide transportation from the strip. They start around $120 per person and go up to prices I couldn’t imagine paying… Whichever one you choose, be sure to check whether it includes admission to an actual Hoover Dam tour (not just taking you around to all the photo spots and driving you across the dam).

Of course, prices are subject to change, so be sure to check the Tour Information before you go.

Who This Day Trip Is Worth It For

If you’re someone who enjoys going behind the scenes and seeing how things work, you’ll find a trip to Hoover Dam worth it. There is a lot of U.S. and Southwest history, engineering sights, and even Art Deco architecture.

Who Might Want to Skip It

If you’re not interested in hearing the specifics of how long it takes several million tons of concrete to cure, it might not be worth the drive. (Well over 100 years, if you don’t follow the example set by the engineers of Hoover Dam.)

Seriously, though, if the inner workings of machinery and engineering aren’t interesting to you, you may find the Hoover Dam tours to be rather boring. In that case, maybe make it a shorter visit: drive across the dam, get some stunning photos, and then head to Boulder City for some antique shopping or over to Lake Mead for a sightseeing cruise and see the dam from a totally different point of view.

Final Verdict

Personally, yes, I do think a day trip from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam is worth it. Yes, there are the amazing views of the enormous dam and photos you can show off on social media. More importantly, though, there are great stories about the people who worked to create this massive marvel in the middle of the Mojave Desert. You also get to learn how a wild river can be tamed and used to provide drinking water, electricity, and recreation for the public.

Whether you’re looking forward to seeing giant turbines, Art Deco terrazzo flooring, or just peeking out of a ventilation shaft in the middle of the concrete mass, Hoover Dam is definitely worth a visit.

I think you should combine all that with an afternoon in Boulder City where you can learn even more about the people who built the dam, grab a tasty Cornish pasty, and watch bighorn sheep grazing in Hemenway Park.

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