Quick answer
- Distance: about 35 miles (55 km), 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
- Facts: 726 feet (221 m) tall, completed in 1935, on the Nevada–Arizona border, holding back Lake Mead.
- Tickets (2026): Visitor Center $15, Powerplant Tour $25, guided Dam Tour $40; parking $10.
- Easiest visit: a photo stop on a West Rim tour or the view from a helicopter.
- Bonus: the bypass bridge walkway, about 890 feet (270 m) above the river.
Hoover Dam in a nutshell
Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s and created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by capacity. It sits in Black Canyon on the border between Nevada and Arizona, and its power plant still supplies electricity to Nevada, Arizona and California. The two states are in different time zones in winter, so the dam famously has two clocks.
Hoover Dam history in brief
The dam was built from 1931 to 1935 during the Great Depression by a group of contractors called Six Companies, employing thousands of workers at a time; 96 deaths were officially recorded during construction. At the dedication plaza stand the bronze Winged Figures of the Republic by sculptor Oskar J. W. Hansen. At full capacity Lake Mead holds about 26 million acre-feet (32 km³) of water, but long droughts have lowered it, leaving the pale "bathtub ring" on the canyon walls; the US Bureau of Reclamation publishes the current water level daily.
Ways to see Hoover Dam from Las Vegas
- On a Grand Canyon West Rim tour: most coach tours stop for photos at the dam or the bypass bridge on the way. See West Rim Coach Tour.
- From the air: helicopter flights to the West Rim pass over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. See helicopter tours.
- On your own: drive 45 minutes, park at the visitor center garage and walk across the dam crest.
Hoover Dam tours, tickets and hours (2026)
| Ticket | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center (self-guided) | $15 | Exhibits and overlook |
| Powerplant Tour | $25 (ages 4–16: $15) | Can be booked online |
| Guided Dam Tour | $40 | Includes the Powerplant Tour; on site only |
| Parking (Nevada garage) | $10 | Some Arizona-side lots are free |
The dam road is open 5 am to 9 pm; the Visitor Center and tours run 9 am to 5 pm Pacific time (last tour about 4:10 pm), closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Dam Tour is sold on site only, first come, first served, and tours can be cancelled at short notice. Parking is $10 in the Nevada-side garage; some lots on the Arizona side are free.
The Hoover Dam bypass bridge
The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010 and carries the highway over Black Canyon. It is the longest concrete arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere, and its pedestrian walkway, about 890 feet (270 m) above the Colorado River, gives the best full view of the dam.
Visiting tips
- Summer temperatures often pass 100°F (38°C): carry water.
- Security checks apply to vehicles entering the dam area.
- The walk from the bridge parking to the viewpoint is short but has steps and a slope.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Hoover Dam from Las Vegas?
About 35 miles (55 km), roughly 45 minutes by car from the Strip.
Can you see Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon in one day?
Yes. Most West Rim tours stop at Hoover Dam on the way, and helicopter tours fly over it.
How tall is Hoover Dam?
726 feet (221 m). Construction finished in 1935.
How much is a Hoover Dam tour?
In 2026 the Visitor Center costs $15, the Powerplant Tour $25 for adults and the guided Dam Tour $40, plus $10 parking in the Nevada garage.
Is Hoover Dam in Nevada or Arizona?
Both. It sits on the border, with Nevada on one side and Arizona on the other.
Where is Hoover Dam located?
In Black Canyon on the Colorado River, about 35 miles (55 km) southeast of Las Vegas near Boulder City, on US 93.
What is the water level at Hoover Dam and Lake Mead?
It changes with river flows and drought and is published daily by the US Bureau of Reclamation. Since 2000 the lake has been well below full, which is why you see the white mineral ring on the rocks.
How long does a Hoover Dam tour take?
The Powerplant Tour takes about 30 minutes and the guided Dam Tour about an hour; allow 2 hours in total with the Visitor Center and photos.
