Hoover Dam was a great experience! Although, we didn't take a tour for our first time, we thoroughly enjoyed walking around the Dam, and of course the drive around it. Sights are beautiful! From parking to walking around, everything is kept up nicely and very clean. Parking is $10 at the visitor center, however, there are other sporadic small parking lots to see some more gorgeous sights, that are free of charge. I did think the parking at the visitor center was fun and different, inside a mountain. Also, the Hoover Dam gift shop has so many cool items/souvenirs, so make sure you stop by right next to the visitor center parking structure. The only comment/critique I would make is regarding the Hoover Dam cafe, adjoined with the gift shop. Although it is kept clean inside and the employees are very friendly, it is entirely too small, especially for the amount of visitors going in and out. There aren't many tables inside, and even though the outside eating area is nice, it is hot most of the year, so many are not able to eat outside. I would love to see the indoor cafe area expanded to provide a comfortable air conditioned spot to have something to eat, especially for families with small children and visitors that are up in age. We are looking forward to returning to Hoover Dam soon, and next time taking a tour! Also, if you are looking for a great spot to eat on the drive to or from Hoover Dam, for a little larger of a meal, Fox's BBQ in Boulder City has excellent food with friendly servers! read more

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Went with a group of 4. Paid $90 including parking. Tour felt a bit rushed and I couldn't really hear/understand everything that was said. It was cool to see, unsure I would do it again. Going in we had an issue. We were told the pepper spray my daughter keeps in her purse could not come in, ok, no problem, we would walk it back to the car. The security guards (wearing sunglasses inside?) said to leave through the glass doors with it (glass everywhere around that area), so when I started walking in not the direction of the "doors" he wanted me to, he raised his voice to an aggressive yelling tone and repeated and pointed to the glass doors. Unnecessary, for sure. There were no signs saying no pepper spray, and kindness goes a long way. He is dealing with tourists and really is in the service industry, he should probably act like it. None of the security guards had name tags that I could easily read, this would be nice. Deducted a star for rude employee experience. read more

Marvel of human innovation! Worth a stop if driving through. Skipped the tour and still completely satisfied read more

Hoover Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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If there's a place in America that makes you feel small in the best and worst way at the same time, it's the Hoover Dam. Straddling the line between Nevada and Arizona, this concrete giant isn't just a photo op it's a full-on reality check. Built in 1931 during the Great Depression, this thing screams grit, sweat, and "we're gonna figure it out no matter what." And get this 4.4 million cubic yards of concrete went into it. That's enough to lay a double-lane highway from San Francisco to New York City. Let that sink in. Now here's where the story gets good. I've been here a handful of times. I've seen Lake Mead when it was living large water high, boats out, everything humming. Came back recently... and it hits different. The "bathtub ring" is no joke. The waterline has dropped so much it feels like you're looking at a ghost of what used to be. And then there's Bob. We didn't book anything special, didn't expect anything special but one of my buddies knew a guy. Next thing you know, Bob (we'll call him Bob), 45+ years deep working at the dam, pulls us aside like we just got backstage passes to history. This wasn't your standard tour. We're walking through the guts of the dam cool air, humming walls, the kind of place where every sound echoes like it's got a story. I ask him straight up, "So what's really going on with the power?" Bob just nods and says, "Seventeen turbines total. Twelve of the big boys? Offline right now. Water's too low. We're running on the five lower ones... about 20% capacity." That hit harder than the view from the top. He starts pointing things out like a man who's lived it: How they poured the concrete in interlocking blocks so it wouldn't crack under its own heat Emergency spillways and hatches designed for floods that haven't come in years Tunnels that could reroute the Colorado River if things got out of hand We're firing questions like kids: "What happens if the water keeps dropping?" "Can the turbines just stop altogether?" "Is this thing still safe?" Bob doesn't sugarcoat it. Says the dam will stand it's overbuilt in the best way but the real concern is the lake. Less snowpack, more demand, too many straws in the same glass. And standing there, deep inside this American icon, you start to feel it this weird mix of pride and concern. They're trying, too. Fish reintroduction, water management, conservation efforts... all of it. But looking out over what's left of Lake Mead, it's hard not to think we might be watching something slowly slip away. Still this place? It's iconic. It's engineering muscle. It's history you can touch. And thanks to Bob, it wasn't just a visit it was a story I'll carry forever. Final verdict: Come for the views. Stay for the history. Hope for the water. read more

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Such a cool place. Our tour bus took us to the bridge that overlooks the dam. Glad we visited. If we are in the area again then we will def go back read more

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This was an amazing tour. The size of the site, the equipment and infrastructure was amazing. It's hard to believe it was built almost 100 years ago. Clean, dependable and cheap power for over 1 million people. This is a must see for everyone. read more

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Last I was here was around 4 years ago, as a tourist. This time I'm here on work location, checking out the dam and details. It pretty much looks the same as it did before. WE walked halfway across the new bridge and then went and explored the dam itself. I gotta say, this this is massive, you don't get a realization of the real size till you're here in person. It's best to park in the parking structure. There's a parking fee, but if you want free parking you might have to drive to the other side of the dam and find something. I don't have time to be searching for parking , so we just parked in the structure and lugged all of our stuff around with us. We did go inside the dam, I think there's tours you can sign up for to do that. I heard it's worth it. Outside is just impressive with this big giant intake hole. Yeah, no flying drones around here either, in case you were wondering. read more

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Probably the best dam tour Ive ever taken and hands down the best dam in the world. Plenty of parking at the structure, the tour starts with an informative film about the history of the dam and then down an elevator for around 500 feet down. The power plant is pretty cool and looks like a sci fi set from the 1950s. Lots of art deco stuff around and outside. The tour guide was very informative and made a lot of "dam" jokes. 5 stars read more

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Definitely a fun few hours of an outing near Las Vegas to see the stunning dam. If you park a bit farther in there, you can park for free. Otherwise, there is some closer parking that costs $. You can basically be in two states at once here. Walk across the dam and you can be in AZ and then go back to NV. Walking across the Memorial Bridge is definitely a must and beautiful sight! You can also book a paid tour to see the underground part, museum, etc. There is a cafe onsite and a few tourist shops. read more

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Amazing, beautiful, outrageously cool! Only some of the adjectives you could use when seeing this wonder of the world. You will love this place from every angle . Walking across it, taking the tour or walking across the bridge that overlooks the dam. Take the tour if you want more history and inner workings of the dam. Tour was okay... be ready for a ton of "dam" jokes! Also, there is an airport like security system used to get in, so leave your vapes (or whatever) in the car! Saw some poor woman get frisked because she had a vape in her purse! They let here take it back to the car though. (Or throw it in the drug box on the wall). Also... the welcome film they use when you start your tour is hilariously (or maybe sadly) really old! Maybe time for an update! read more

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The Hoover Dam absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of the seven civil engineering wonders of the United States. If you're anywhere close, this stop is definitely worth your time, and seeing the sheer scale of the project in person is incredible. Upon entry in by car, there is a security checkpoint. There is no fee to drive through or walk around in the allowed public areas. There are free lots to park in as well (recommend Parking Lot 12). Plenty of breathtaking photo opportunities and restroom facilities throughout. If you choose to take a tour for a more indepth look, prices are reasonable and worth it too. read more

Hoover Dam - Welcome! Security Checkpoint. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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I came here on my way to the Grand Canyon as part of the Comedy on Deck Tours. It's super pretty and a great experience. read more

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Came here many years ago because when in Vegas why not just drive up to the border of Nevada and Arizona? One of the wonders of world at one point I think even the cement is still wet inside deep in the bottom It's a magnificent site/view It's a nice detour or thing to do read more

Hoover Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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Took our son today for his first visit to the Dam and Arizona. Been a few months. I was amazed at the new exhibits at the visitors center. Very, very new and amazing. So many hands on exhibits and videos with an outstanding presentation. Apples and Oranges from the last visit. Highly recommend. Very educational and great for all ages. Guided tours are available. read more

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We all joked that we were off to see the world's largest ball of twine as we left Henderson. Man, were we wrong. This is definitely a man-made engineering wonder, especially since it was built between 1931 - 1936. Five years to pour over 6 million tons of concrete, dig tunnels, and build spillways. Amazing considering this was done during the great depression. Keep in mind that there is a security checkpoint. It took us about 15 minutes or so to pass their cursory security check. There is a parking garage and covered parking lots strategically located throughout the area. There are also vantage points where you can take photos. It is cool to walk from NV to AZ and watch your clocks update. Got vertigo? Then don't hang your head over the wall and look down. It's amazing to see how high you are and the way the concrete was poured. Even though there are signs everywhere to stay off the walls, we did see a few knuckleheads sitting on top of the wall to get that perfect photo for Instaface. There is a gift shop that is worth visiting, and there are restrooms on the dam itself. Our hosts told us the restrooms are a must-stop in the summer as they are air-conditioned. Pro tip: Do not pass Boulder City without checking out the main drag. There are some interesting shops, a brew pub, and our new favorite dive bar, Dillinger's, for drinks and fod. read more

Hoover Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

The Hoover dam is an absolute marvel of engineering, particularly when you consider something of this magnitude was built in the 1930's and is still a functioning hydroelectric power plant to this day. It is a bit of a tourist trap and can be very busy at times, but it's a must see and fascinating to learn about how the dam was built. You get to go down into the depths of the dam and see the tunnels that were used originally to divert water while it was constructed, with some later being repurposed to actually supply water to drive the turbines for the power plant. On the tour you get to see one of the generator rooms with alternators that are driven by the turbines below. The walk across the top of the dam is spectacular, and gives you a real sense of scale of just how big this dam thing is (sorry I had to get that joke in just once). Even better, since the memorial bridge that bypasses the dam was built, you can also get some spectacular views from above the whole installation, and also stand on the divide between Nevada and Arizona - the dam straddles the Colorado river on the state line, and is what created lake Mead. Whether you're a local or just visiting Las Vegas or Boulder City, the Hoover Dam is one of those must see wonders that shouldn't be missed. read more

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Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel, historic milestone and one of the exceptional engincering achievements of the 20th Century. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead have provided a reliable supply of water and affordable electricity to the people of the Southwest since the 1930s. The growth of great American cities like Los Angeles would not have been possible without the dam. Nor would the irrigated farmlands of the region - which supply 80% of America's winter fruits and vegetables. On the day we visited the dam the temperature was a smoldering 113°. So needless to say it can get pretty hot. So be sure to bring plenty of water and shade like bucket hats, UV protection sun umbrellas and portable fans. Because if you go during the summertime, trust me, you'll need them. Although the water levels are at alarming low levels due to global warming, lack of rain and things of that nature. Lake Mead, the Colorado river and the Hoover Dam itself was still a beautiful site to see and is one of America's truly special places. Fun facts: the bridge located at the Hoover Dam is The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. read more

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My friends and I were staying in Las Vegas and decided to drive out to Hoover Dam, which was absolutely worth it. I have a fear of heights, but I pushed through, taking photos while holding on for dear life, mostly to my phone, which I hoped my hands would not fail me and drop it over the edge. It's an impressive structure. Do the tour. Drink the water. Walk the line between Nevada and Arizona. Check out the gift shop. Sadly, there is no secret facility housing Megatron or the AllSpark. read more

Fun day trip to see the Hoover Dam. Parking is $10 or drive a bit to the Arizona side and it's free. But it is a bit of a walk with stairs to get to the main attractions. We paid for the $25 tour for the power plant tour. If you like guided tours and being able to ask questions, I'd give the tour a try, but it's just as great saving the $25 and just walking around outside yourself and visiting the gift shop. I do have to say their little museum was pretty cool and I'd spend the entrance fee to see that. Overall, fun experience for kids and adults to learn a little history. read more

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You can technically experience this marvel of modern engineering for free as the only thing you need to pay for is $10 parking in the garage structure...but I heard there's free parking on the Arizona side if you want to walk a little bit. Walking around the dam is certainly fun in of itself, but if you want to shell out a little extra, the visitor center has a fee to enter to learn more about the dam, and if you pay even more, you can tour the inside of the dam. If you want to keep things free, the food court and the gift shop are separate buildings from the visitor center, so you can hit those up if you don't want to pay the fee to enter the center. read more

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This is so hard to explain it's amazing beauty, because you really need to be there to take it all in. The massiveness of Hoover Dam is overwhelming when you are standing up there over looking it all. If you have never been and get the chance to go, then do so. You will be taken aback by this awesome sight. One more thing, parking was easy: a bonus! read more

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This was interesting but I would not go out of my way to see it. If you happen to be nearby definitely go. The tour was kind of a joke. There really isn't much to see. There's a little movie before the tour that is the most interesting part. They explain how it was made. There's a little cafe there where you can get a bite to eat and of course there's a gift shop. read more

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What an impressive structure and an historically impressive feat! Because of its intrinsic significance, this is worth seeing if you are in this part of the country. Understanding what a massive effort this was to construct and how it turned out to be one of the most notable American engineering accomplishments in the 20th century makes this place a worthwhile stop. Putting it into historical context makes it all the more interesting. I had not been here since I was a kid in the late 60s with my parents, and my wife had never been here. I was eager to see it again and she was interested to see such an iconic site for the first time. Since we flew into Vegas and were on our way to southern Utah, it was a convenient stop before we made our way north and east. While a visit to this site is worth your time, it is not cheap. I'll first say that driving onto and walking around the site is free. There is a vehicle security checkpoint upon entry, but for us, they simply asked if we had firearms or drones. There was also no vehicle queue the Friday morning we were there, as I understand can be the case at times. Hence, entry to the grounds was no hassle on that occasion. Timing is everything! If all you want to do is get a view of the dam and the area, then it can be a very cost-effective day and, if you time it right, a rather relaxed day. But to get a more immersive experience is a bit of a different story. Much to my chagrin, I'll first say that interagency passes, such as the America the Beautiful pass, are not valid as this is run by the Burrau of Reclamation and not NPS. The visit starts with a $10 parking fee, which at least gets your car undercover in a parking garage out of the blazing sun. The day we were there in May, it was a toasty 103 F, so this was at least appreciated. The basic admission to the museum diaplays and the viewing deck is $15 each. To upgrade to a guided tour of the Power Plant is an additional $10 per adult. These two types of tickets can be booked on-line. The latter gets you a minimal immersive experience. If you want the Dam tour, that can only be purchased on site and is subject to availability, first-come-first-served. Your initial purchase can be upgraded, with the final cost coming to $40 per adult. It seems a shame to come to such a marvel and not get the full experience, but the cost is not trivial. The displays in the Visitor Center are modern and interesting, but are a little light in content for $15 in my opinion (I'll get to the overall value statement further down). We upgraded to the Dam tour and found it interesting to see the tunnels and hear about some of the high points of the history. The view from the vent was also pretty cool looking out at the bridge. The guide was congenial and knowledgeable. But the tour was not as extensive or as detailed as I expected for $40. Maybe I'm just too focused on demanding value for what I pay, but I did not think this experience lived up to the $40 price tag. That is why I gave it a 4-star rating rather than giving it five stars. It deserves four stars just for what it is. But I can't justify five stars in my mind. While the Dam is worth seeing because of what it is, I would not necessarily put it on your bucket list unless you're a civil engineer or have a great appreciation for civil engineering feats. If so, then it's right up your alley and perhaps worth the extra effort to get there. If you're a student of 20th-century US history, it might also be worth the exra effort. If you're not in those categories, maybe a free stop with a quick view is enough if you're in the area. For us, in spite of feeling like we should have gotten more for our money, we're glad we did it. But it's not worth repeating. read more

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Came on a Tuesday morning to do a dam tour. We arrived around 9am so parking wasn't an issue and the lines were short. Price was $40 per person for the dam & power plant tour, which I think is too high. The beginning of the tour is a 10 minute movie, which was informative but incredibly dated. Then they take you into the dam and the power plant, which were neat to see and I learned a lot. After that, you go to the top of the dam and are free to walk around. The art deco design is just beautiful and the government has done a great job maintaining it over its nearly 100 years. Before we left, we drove across the dam and back again. Glad we visited. read more

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We wanted to do something off the Strip with the whole family during our Thanksgiving trip. Instead of doing a crazy hike that our kids probably wouldn't enjoy as much, we decided to check out Hoover Dam instead! Parking was $10/vehicle - unfortunately, they no longer offer free parking for those with blue disability placard! We also did not do any tours, and that was definitely the right choice for us as we had my husband's grandma (who couldn't walk much without a rollator) and 2 young kids also. You get to walk all along the top of the dam between the Nevada and Arizona side for free - the whole walk one way can take up to 30min or longer depending on the pace. It was cool that we got to cross the state line (where time is actually one hour apart so you can "time travel" as much as you want LOL), and our kids had a fun time! read more

Day Trip to Hoover Dam from Las Vegas If you drive southeast from Vegas on Highway 11, it takes about 50 minutes to reach Hoover Dam. Along the way, you can stop at: * Hemenway Park to see wild bighorn sheep (free, no dogs allowed) * Lake Mead National Recreation Area ($25 per car for entry) Parking at Hoover Dam: There are two main parking options after you pass the security checkpoint: 1. Free Outdoor Lot (navigate to Boulder Dam Bridge Parking): Has portable toilets and direct access to the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge: great views of the dam from above. 2. Indoor Parking Garage ($10 per car, navigate to Hoover Dam Parking Garage): Right next to the Visitor Center (currently under renovation) and tour entrance. Only about a 10-minute walk between the two lots, but in the heat, indoor might be better and that's where we parked. Security Checkpoint: No pets (except service dogs), no weapons, drones, etc.. Tour Options: * $30 Tour - Must buy on-site, often sells out before 1 PM. Includes original elevator ride, tunnels, river viewing shafts, and powerplant tour. * $15 Tour - Can buy online ahead of time Includes the historic tunnels, a 30-ft diameter water pipe (you'll feel the vibrations!), and a look at the Nevada side powerplant. We chose this one because $30 option was sold out. It started with an intro video, then a guided walk. We didn't see the full powerplant, but still worth it to see one of America's biggest dams. After the tour, there's a gift shop and a small café with light meals. We kept walking along the dam afterward. It was super hot while our visit in the end of March, 2025, so do wear sunscreen and stay hydrated! Hoover Dam sits right on the border of Arizona and Nevada, so you'll see two clocks and Nevada is 1 hour behind. Hoover Dam Visitor Center & Tours Open daily 9 AM-5 PM (closed on Thanksgiving & Christmas) Last tour starts at 3:45 PM read more

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Historic and awe inspiring views of one of Americas greatest engineering marvels. This also is the most important dam for the southwest region of the US and back drop to several Hollywood movies. If driving to Vegas or in the area this is a must stop spot! read more

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It's a Dam tour dammit.... What are some of you people expecting!!! It's an engineering marvel and a pivotal moment of the history or the West!! It's concrete and water! Second time I've been here like 25 years apart and if you haven't experienced it, I highly recommend. We went early in the day to make sure we were able to get a tour since you can't reserve online. The line starts to form at 8:30 am. You can do a shorter $15 tour or a $30 tour that includes more of the insides. Our guides were friendly and informative. Hearing the details that went into the project is truly admirable. read more

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This is a very awesome sight. You just can't imagine the size until you are at the bottom looking up. The elevator taking you down was quite the ride opening into tiled arched hallways. There are 7 generators on one side and 6 on the other. You can just feel the power in the air. The bypass bridge is not for the faint of heart. Not my wife's fave part. read more

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I'm the local lady who loves to go to Hoover Dam to just enjoy the weather, scenery and awesome breezy walk on autumn day w/husband. Clouds were very pretty and top of that long summer is finally over and temperature is cooling down thanks to the rain the night before. We parked at Arizona side of parking lot so that we didn't have to pay $10 fee like last time. A little longer to walk but I didn't mind. I definitely got my steps in for the day. Not many tourist today when I got there around 1pm. It is mid of the week and I liked how quite and less hectic it was this time. :) read more

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Stopped here on a journey home from a roadtrip. And the Hoover Dam did not disappoint, it's historic! We visited during off hours so the museum was not open. But, we were able to glean a lot of knowledge just by walking around. There are some wonderful photo spots and it is truly beautiful! I can't imagine spending more than a few hours here but it is worth stopping in if it's on your way from point a to point b. The road there is twisty and can make you feel a little carsick and there isn't snacks or other amenities nearby - just keep that in mind. Also, there are bathrooms at Hoover Dam which are open to the public. They aren't bad. I highly recommend Hoover Dam if it's on your way. read more

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I took a dam drive out to the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas with some friends. We had a dam good time. While on the dam, you can split yourself between two states and two time zones. That's dam cool. Took a lot of dam pictures and visited the dam visitors center. We looked over the dam edge to get the full dam experience. Dam good view. One dam visit is really all you need. It doesn't change much over the years and probably won't see a dam difference the next time we plan a dam visit. Maybe next time we'll do the dam tour with a dam guide. read more

Hoover dam has always been a cool spot to visit. This was my first time seeing it at dusk and it was really cool to see it all lit up. This was also the lowest amount of people I've ever seen here, making parking, driving, and walking really easy. It was great because my kids were able to walk around and just pay attention to the sites. I always park in the free section because I walk the entire dam and back anytime I visit. It's cool seeing the different clocks for the time zones and to look at the grand scale of everything. read more

Hoover Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

Their exhibit ($10 general admission) was under construction, and the tours started at $25 per adult which I didn't have the time for, so I just walked through the dam and visited the Memorial bridge and Lake Mead overlook. I spent about 1.5 hours walking around at those sites and taking photos. Thankfully there are water bottle filling stations along the walk to the dam because it is sweltering hot during the day! There were plenty of informative signs/placards along the walk too, so I felt like I still had a bit of a self-guided tour--all for free! I went on a Sunday mid-day, and parking was a bit tricky but doable with some patience. read more

Hoover Dam - View of the dam from Memorial bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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This is a must-see place to gain knowledge. What I love most about being in the Hoover Dam area is to play with the time difference. I'm one hour back then one hour forward in just a few steps. Free parking is available but there are limited spots. It will be some walk to the dam but not a big deal. read more

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This place is simply amazing! Pictures don't do it justice. This is the kind of place one needs to see with their own eyes. I wish we had time to take a tour and see inside and all that cool stuff. Next time for sure. But we did drive across the Dam and walked it as well. The wife and kids also enjoyed it. If you are in the Vegas area, this is a must see. Take the easy drive over there. You won't regret it! read more

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Haven't been back here since I was a kid and it's still a sight to see. The history and dam are astonishing. Walking through everywhere felt like a kid all over again. Did a tour and wouldn't mind doing it again. read more

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Hoover Dam is undeniably the eighth wonder of the world and an engineering marvel! You're here because you want to see all that Vegas has to offer and the Hoover Dam is certainly a must see to truly garner just how massive it really is! There are guided tours available for a fee but if you're short on time, guide yourself around and get a few good photos to show you were here. There are good apps that can give you an audio tour while here if you're interested in learning about the history in how this dam came to be. A nice gift shop is on premises too where you can grab souvenirs to prove your visit, like a dam shirt, some dam water, maybe a dam keychain or a dam necklace and a dam hat. Either way you'll have a dam good time at the mother of all dams! read more

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Very cool and impressive work. Must see in person for the full experience. Tour was great and informative. read more

Hoover Dam - Great dam. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

Worth the drive if you're in the area but parking is very limited - and not free- especially on the weekends. If you're not in the area, it's a bit underwhelming. Check out Hemenway Park about 8 miles away where rams and big horn sheep roam the park ! THAT is worth the trip ! read more

Hoover Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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