“They said the river was untamable. The dam proved them wrong.”
Out in the desert, where Nevada and Arizona meet, the Colorado River once carved wild canyons and flooded farms without mercy. Then came the Great Depression, desperate workers, and an engineering gamble so bold it reshaped the West. Hoover Dam is not just concrete and steel. It is a monument to risk, ambition, and thousands of ordinary people suspended on ropes above a roaring river to keep the lights on in cities far away.
This self-guided drive from Las Vegas lets you trade casino neon for desert rock and deep blue water. Along the way, you will hear how a dusty rail town became a global spectacle, how a man-made lake swallowed canyons, and how one project changed the future of the Southwest. It is history written in concrete and carved into the canyon itself.
With the Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas: Self-Guided Drive, your car becomes your storyteller. GPS-triggered audio leads you from the Strip through the valley, into Boulder City, and out to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, filling the journey with stories of high scalers, hard bargains, and a river that refused to cooperate.
Highlights along the way include:
Las Vegas and the Colorado River: Leave Tropicana Avenue and learn how Las Vegas rose from a rail stop, and how Hoover Dam fueled its growth.
Boulder City: Explore the town built for dam workers, shaped by strict rules, tight quarters, and challenging labor.
Lake Mead Viewpoints: Stop for sweeping views of the vast reservoir created by the dam and hear how the project took shape.
Historic Railroad Hiking Trail: Walk the old supply route through tunnels once used to transport materials to the construction site.
Boulder Dam Bridge Overlook: Take in the classic panoramic view of Hoover Dam from a dramatic perch over the canyon.
Hoover Dam and Lookout: Drive or walk across the dam while hearing how it powers cities, divides water across states, and faces a changing future.
Desert-side Disclaimer: We promise unforgettable views and impressive engineering, but we are not responsible if you begin calculating how much water sits behind the dam, develop a strange affection for Art Deco concrete, or start calling every home project your own Hoover Dam.
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Know Before You Go
Hoover Dam Timings
Hoover Dam: Open to the public daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (PST).
Hoover Dam Visitor Center:
Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Doors close at 4:15 p.m.
Parking Garage: Open 8:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. $10.00 parking fee.
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Hoover Dam Map
Where To Start?
From Las Vegas: 4R2H+7M Paradise, Nevada, USA
From Arizona: 20606 US-93, White Hills
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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Las Vegas Valley
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The McWilliams Townsite
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Party City
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A City Worth a Dam
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The Mighty Colorado
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Colorado River Compact
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The Six Companies
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Boulder City and Ragtown
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No City Left Behind
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Redirecting the Colorado
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Fear and Loathing in Boulder City
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Welcome to Boulder City
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Don't Look Down!
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Lake Mead View Point
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Building the Dam
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Historic Railroad Hiking Trail
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Becoming the Hoover Dam
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Lakeview Overlook
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Bridge Overlook
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Powering the Southwest
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Remembering the Fallen
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Water Wars
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Hoover Dam Lookout
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
The Hoover Dam was constructed during the Great Depression. The dam wasn’t completed until 1936, five years after construction began in 1931. Across the Black Canyon and the Colorado River, the dam was constructed. Hoover Dam is named for Mr. Herbert Hoover, the Nation’s 31st president.
Absolutely YES! It is one of the engineering marvels of the world. If you are in Las Vegas and looking for a day trip then a drive to Hoover Dam is an absolute must.
Hoover Dam in spring: This is the most popular time to visit. Also, Hiking season officially begins thanks to the arrival of pleasant weather and beautiful spring wildflowers.
Hoover Dam in summer: If it’s water activities you’re looking for, with the picturesque mountains surrounding you, this is the time to come.
Hoover Dam in fall: This is another great season, and a very popular one for camping.
Hoover Dam in winter: Winter sunsets are simply spectacular here. So this is a popular season for photographers, bikers and campers.
Hoover Dam is about 2 hours from the Grand Canyon West Rim, and about 4 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim. While you could do both in a single day, we highly recommend splitting your tour over two days.
Hoover Dam is in Nevada, close to Boulder City. However, a ton of tourists from Las Vegas make a beeline for Hoover Dam as it makes for a good day-trip.
It was the tallest dam in the world at the time it was built. Its base is as thick as two football fields are long.Boulder City was built solely to house the 5,000 workers employed to build the dam. One of the world’s largest artificial lakes, Lake Mead, is impounded here. It stretches for 115 miles (185 km) upstream.
The dam serves multiple purposes, including preventing flooding and sedimentation, generating hydropower, irrigating crops, and providing drinking water. It is also a major sightseeing destination. Also, as per reports nearly 30% of the energy created by the dam is sent to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California with 23% going to the state of Nevada and 19% going to the state of Arizona.
The average high temperatures in April, May and June are 80 – 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The average high temperatures in July, August and September are 89 – 103 degrees Fahrenheit. The average high temperatures are 57 – 69 degrees Fahrenheit.
Non-commercial photo-taking and filming are permitted on tour routes and in public areas. All visitors to the Visitor Center are required to enter the facility through a security checkpoint. Pets are not allowed anywhere on site. (service animals are permitted).
Visitor services at the Hoover dam are kid-friendly, making it a perfect destination for a day trip with the family.
Explore 200+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
