Hoover Dam
Updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on
Hoover Dam is one of America's most famous engineering landmarks, spanning Black Canyon on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. The massive concrete arch-gravity dam created Lake Mead and remains an important source of hydroelectric power, water management and flood control. Visitors come to Hoover Dam for guided tours, engineering history, dramatic views of the Colorado River and Lake Mead, the Visitor Center and nearby viewpoints overlooking one of the Southwest's most recognizable landmarks.
- Hoover Dam Overview
- Hoover Dam Quick Facts
- Tours & Visitor Center
- Parking & Security
- History & Engineering
- Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
- Best Views Of Hoover Dam
- Visitor Tips
- Hoover Dam FAQ
Hoover Dam On The Arizona-Nevada Border
Hoover Dam stands in Black Canyon on the Colorado River approximately 30 to 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Completed during the Great Depression, the project transformed the lower Colorado River by providing flood control, water storage and hydroelectric power while creating Lake Mead behind the dam.
Today, Hoover Dam remains an operating federal water and power facility as well as a National Historic Landmark and major visitor attraction. Travelers can walk across the top of the dam, explore exhibits, take guided tours into portions of the structure and powerplant, and enjoy views of Lake Mead, Black Canyon and the Colorado River.
Hoover Dam Quick Facts
- Location: Black Canyon on the Arizona-Nevada border
- River: Colorado River
- Construction period: 1931-1936
- Structural height: 726.4 feet
- Crest length: 1,244 feet
- Base width: 660 feet
- Crest width: 45 feet
- Reservoir: Lake Mead
- Dam type: Concrete thick-arch dam
- Primary purposes: Water storage, flood control and hydroelectric power
Hoover Dam Tours & Visitor Center
Hoover Dam offers several ways to experience the facility, ranging from the self-guided Visitor Center to guided tours into the powerplant and interior portions of the dam. Current tour availability and prices can change, so check official Hoover Dam information immediately before visiting.
- Hoover Dam: Open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time
- Visitor Center & Tours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
- Guided Dam Tour: Extended tour through historic tunnels, inspection areas and the powerplant
- Guided Power Plant Tour: Includes construction tunnels, a large penstock viewing area and generators in the Nevada powerhouse
- Self-Guided Visitor Center: Exhibits, historic information and panoramic observation-deck views
The guided Dam Tour is sold in person on a first-come, first-served basis and can sell out, so visitors interested in that tour should arrive early. Other ticket options may be available online.
Hoover Dam Parking & Security
Visitors approaching Hoover Dam pass through a security checkpoint, and all vehicles are subject to inspection. Most passenger vehicles are permitted, but some vehicle and trailer restrictions apply. Semi-trucks and box trailers are prohibited from entering the dam site.
A paid parking garage is located on the Nevada side near the Visitor Center. Additional parking is available on the Arizona side, including areas for oversized vehicles, RVs and vehicles towing permitted trailers. Some Arizona-side parking lots are free.
Visitors entering the Visitor Center or tour areas also pass through security screening. Weapons and knives are prohibited inside Hoover Dam buildings, and firearms, explosives and fireworks are prohibited on Hoover Dam property.
Hoover Dam History & Engineering
Construction of Hoover Dam began in 1931 during the Great Depression and required thousands of workers to build access roads, diversion tunnels, power facilities and the enormous concrete structure in the harsh environment of Black Canyon. The project became one of the defining American engineering achievements of the twentieth century.
The dam's curved concrete structure transfers much of the pressure from Lake Mead into the canyon walls. Hoover Dam contains approximately 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete in the dam itself and about 4.4 million cubic yards when associated structures are included.
For more about the workers and engineering challenges, see Men, Women and Children of Hoover Dam and our detailed guide to the construction of Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
Hoover Dam impounds Lake Mead, the major Colorado River reservoir extending upstream into Nevada and Arizona. The reservoir and surrounding Lake Mead National Recreation Area provide boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, camping and scenic driving in a landscape of desert mountains and deep canyons.
Lake Mead water levels can vary substantially because of Colorado River hydrology and reservoir operations, so views of the shoreline and lake may look very different from historic photographs. Visitors planning boating or shoreline recreation should check current National Park Service conditions before traveling.
For recreation information, see our Lake Mead Arizona guide.
Best Views Of Hoover Dam
Some of the best views of Hoover Dam are available from the dam itself, the Visitor Center observation areas and the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. The bridge carries highway traffic across Black Canyon high above the Colorado River and includes a pedestrian walkway with a dramatic view looking directly toward Hoover Dam.
Travelers should note that through traffic between Nevada and Arizona now uses Interstate 11 and the Memorial Bridge. The Hoover Dam access road leads visitors down to the dam but is no longer the normal highway route for continuing across the state line.
Tips For Visiting Hoover Dam
- Arrive early if you want the guided Dam Tour because tickets are sold only on-site and can sell out
- Allow extra time for vehicle inspection and Visitor Center security screening
- Wear comfortable walking shoes because much of the Hoover Dam experience involves walking
- Prepare for intense heat during warmer months because significant portions of a visit are outdoors
- Do not bring firearms, knives or other prohibited items into Hoover Dam visitor facilities
- Use Arizona-side parking if traveling in an RV or oversized vehicle
- Do not stop your vehicle on top of Hoover Dam to load or unload passengers
- Check current tour availability and operating notices immediately before visiting
Official Hoover Dam Visitor Information
Tour schedules, prices, parking fees and operating conditions can change. Check the Bureau of Reclamation's official Hoover Dam visitor information before traveling.
Hoover Dam Visitor Center & Tours - Bureau of Reclamation
Visitor Information: (702) 494-2517
Hoover Dam FAQ
Where is Hoover Dam?
Hoover Dam spans Black Canyon on the Colorado River at the Arizona-Nevada state line, approximately 30 to 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Can you visit Hoover Dam?
Yes. Hoover Dam is open to the public and offers outdoor sightseeing, a Visitor Center and several tour options. Current hours and tour availability should be checked before visiting.
What are the Hoover Dam hours?
The Bureau of Reclamation currently lists Hoover Dam as open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The Visitor Center and tours are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Can you take a tour inside Hoover Dam?
Yes. Current options include a guided Dam Tour, guided Power Plant Tour and self-guided Visitor Center experience. The guided Dam Tour is sold only on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.
How tall is Hoover Dam?
Hoover Dam has a structural height of approximately 726.4 feet and a crest length of 1,244 feet.
Does Hoover Dam create Lake Mead?
Yes. Hoover Dam impounds the Colorado River to form Lake Mead, one of the major reservoirs in the Colorado River system.
How much does parking cost at Hoover Dam?
The Nevada-side parking garage currently costs $10 per vehicle. Arizona-side Lot #9 also costs $10, while Lots #13 and #14 are currently free. Parking fees are subject to change.
Can RVs visit Hoover Dam?
Yes, although RVs and oversized vehicles must use designated Arizona-side parking. Vehicles are subject to inspection and certain trailer types are prohibited.
Can you drive across Hoover Dam?
Most passenger vehicles can access and cross the top of the dam after security inspection, but through highway traffic between Nevada and Arizona uses Interstate 11 and the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
Is the Hoover Dam Visitor Center free?
No. Admission to the Visitor Center and guided tours requires paid tickets. Prices vary by tour type and can change, so check current Bureau of Reclamation information before visiting.
Related Hoover Dam Interest
Hoover Dam
Building Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam Diversion Tunnels
Hoover Dam High Scalers
Hoover Dam Historic Photos
Hoover Dam Map
Hoover Dam Men
Hoover Dam Pictures
Along The Colorado River
Colorado River Lakes
Lake Powell
Lake Mead
Lake Mohave
Lake Havasu
