About
One of the top tourist attractions in Nevada is the Hoover Dam. Its proximity to The Strip makes it easy to see why it's one of the top things to do in Las Vegas. To begin your journey, you must visit the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.
Hoover Dam is rich with stories of how a nation built a world-renowned structure during the Great Depression. Hoover Dam Visitor Center hours are from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
There are three Hoover Dam tours:
- Guided Dam Tour
- Guided Power Plant Tour
- Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour
The Guided Dam Tour is your best bang for the buck, including a trip to the power plant and visitor center. However, this is not accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
The Guided Power Plant Tour lets visitors walk through the original tunnels, feel the water rushing through a 30-foot diameter pipe, and see eight generators in the Nevada Powerhouse. The ticket price gets you admission into the Visitor Center.
The Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour will satisfy those wanting to learn Hoover Dam facts and look at memorabilia throughout the dam's history. Unlike the Guided Dam Tour, this is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
A visit to this engineering marvel has something for everyone, whether it be Hoover Dam Visitor Center exhibits or observing power plant turbines. So, swing by the Hoover Dam Visitor Center to launch your Henderson vacation adventure!
Fun Facts & Cool Features
A Nevada vacation wouldn't be complete without a visit to Hoover Dam.
Cool facts about the Hoover Dam are the various tours offered.
Tours can be purchased online except for the Guided Dam Tour. Tickets for his spectacle can be bought at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.
A fun fact is that once you've purchased tickets at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center, you may explore the center's exhibits, which explain the history of the Hoover Dam and artifacts from its construction.
Before tours, visitors watch a short video about Hoover Dam. Depending on which tour you signed up for, most explore within the dam's walls. Your guide will explain the history and stories connected with the construction. Be prepared for your guide to crack some "dam jokes," too!
If you're a history geek, the one-hour tours will be jam-packed with fun and facts about Hoover Dam. While the tours are safe and fun for families, the Guided Dam Tour is not recommended for children ten and under.
A cool feature about the Hoover Dam is that you may explore the power plant, read informational plaques, and observe its operation when your tour is over.
Plan a trip to the Hoover Dam Visitor Center when you're vacationing in the Henderson area. You'll have a "dam" good time!
Getting There
Here are driving directions from Henderson to the Hoover Dam Visitor Center:
- Get on I-11/US-93/US-95 S
- Follow until you get to Exit 2 toward Boulder City/Hoover Dam
- Follow NV-172 to Hoover Dam Access Road
Cost
Below are the tour costs:
- Guided Dam Tour: $30
- Guided Power Plant Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour: $10
- Parking: $10
Prices are subject to change; check online for up-to-date pricing.
Local Tips
- You may purchase tour tickets online except for the Guided Dam Tour, which is sold on-site.
- Park on the Arizona side to save parking fees. Walking across the dam offers spectacular views.
- Family-friendly attire is required at Hoover Dam; see its website for details.
- Flying drones is not permitted at Hoover Dam.
- The best times for the guided power plant tours are 9:00-11:00 AM and 2:30-3:45 PM.