- 726 ftDam height
- 30 milesFrom Las Vegas
- $49–$100Guided dam-only tours
- $15–$40Official on-site tours
- ~$179Grand Canyon combo
A 726-Foot Engineering Landmark, 45 Minutes from the Strip
Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam straddling the Colorado River in Black Canyon, on the Nevada–Arizona border. It stands 726.4 feet tall and 1,244 feet long, holding about 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete. Built from 1931 to 1936 during the Great Depression, it was designed for flood control, water storage and hydroelectric power — its 17 generators produce about 4 billion kilowatt-hours a year. Behind it lies Lake Mead, the largest reservoir by capacity in the United States.
You can visit three ways: drive yourself (parking $10, official tours $15–$40), take a guided Hoover Dam-only day trip from the Strip ($49–$100), or — the best value for most visitors — book a combo tour that pairs the dam with Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk (from about $179 by small-group van). Spanning the canyon downstream, the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, opened in 2010, gives the best photo angle of the dam from its free pedestrian walkway.
Official 2026 Tour Prices (Bureau of Reclamation)
If you drive yourself, these are bought on-site. National Park passes are not accepted.
| Tour | Adult price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Guided Visitor Center | $15 | Exhibits, observation deck |
| Guided Power Plant Tour | $25 ($15 ages 4–16) | Inside the dam, generator hall |
| Guided Dam Tour | $40 | Deepest access; on-site sales only, sells out by mid-morning |
Hours: Visitor Center 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas). Parking is $10 in the Nevada garage, or free on the Arizona side with a longer walk. Security is airport-style — no weapons, knives or large bags.
3-Hour VIP Hoover Dam Small-Group Mini Tour
The best-rated way to see the dam without a car — a compact, award-winning small-group tour from Las Vegas in an air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle. You'll see the dam from several viewpoints, drive through historic Boulder City, stop at a Lake Mead overlook, and walk both on top of the dam and across the Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Ideal if you want the dam done well in a half-day, not a full one.
- Hotel pickup & drop-off in Las Vegas
- Multiple dam viewpoints + Lake Mead overlook
- Walk on top of the dam
- Walk the Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
- Drive through historic Boulder City
Want the full day? Pair the dam with Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk — see the combos below.
More Hoover Dam Tours & Grand Canyon Combos
A VIP dam tour with lunch, the all-day Grand Canyon + Skywalk combo, and a small-group desert triple-header — book directly below.
Hoover Dam Ultimate VIP Tour with Lunch
A guided walk over the dam, the Nevada power-plant interior tour, a hot lunch at the Omelet House and a Welcome to Las Vegas sign photo stop — plus a free LA Comedy Club ticket.
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Skywalk Option & Two Meals
Our flagship full-day tour — Hoover Dam photo stop, Grand Canyon West, breakfast and BBQ lunch included, and the Skywalk as an optional add-on. The dam plus the canyon in one day.
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam & 7 Magic Mountains
A small-group day from a 7 a.m. start — the Grand Canyon, the largest hydroelectric dam in the US and the colorful Seven Magic Mountains land-art, with direct hotel pickup.
Top Things to See at Hoover Dam
The Visitor Center
Exhibits, a 3D model and an observation deck looking down the face of the dam and out over the Colorado River.
The Power Plant Tour
An elevator descent to the generator hall and penstock viewing — the most popular paid tour, and wheelchair-accessible.
Memorial Bridge Walkway
The free pedestrian walkway on the Pat Tillman Bridge, nearly 900 feet above the river, gives the best photos of the dam.
Walk the Dam Road
Still open to pedestrians — stroll across the crest and stand with one foot in Nevada and one in Arizona on the state line.
Hoover Dam Tours from Las Vegas: FAQ
How far is Hoover Dam from Las Vegas?
Hoover Dam is about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, a drive of roughly 40–45 minutes via US-93 South / Interstate 11 through Boulder City. There is no public transit directly to the dam, so most visitors drive or take a guided tour.
How much is a Hoover Dam tour from Las Vegas?
Guided Hoover Dam-only day trips from the Strip run about $49–$100 per person. Self-driving and buying official tickets on-site costs $15 (Visitor Center), $25 (Power Plant Tour) or $40 (deeper Guided Dam Tour), plus $10 parking. The best value for a full day is a combo tour pairing the dam with Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk from about $179.
Is Hoover Dam worth visiting on its own?
It's genuinely impressive, but most travelers are done in about two hours. Because Grand Canyon West is only about 2.5 hours past the dam, pairing them turns a half-day into a full, memorable day — which is why the Hoover Dam + Grand Canyon West + Skywalk combo is the standout choice if you have a full day.
Can you walk on top of Hoover Dam?
Yes. The road across the top of the dam is open to pedestrians, and you can stand on the Nevada/Arizona state line. The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge has a free pedestrian walkway nearly 900 feet above the river that offers the best photo angle of the dam.