Hoover Dam was a masterpiece of engineering when it was completed in 1935. The waters backed up by this Colorado River dam form Lake Mead National Recreation Area. If you're visiting Las Vegas without a private vehicle, you can take an excursion to Hoover Dam; be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Excursion Types
A number of companies in Las Vegas offer excursions to Hoover Dam, which is 35 miles southeast of the Vegas Strip. Most are by coach bus but Hummer, Jeep and van tours are options for small groups. Bus and boat excursions add cruising time on Lake Mead. Extended air tours by helicopter or small plane include flyovers of the Grand Canyon West before boarding a bus for the dam. Some excursions add stops for lunch, shopping and a visit to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory.
Excursion Options
A no-frills excursion includes hotel pick-up and bus transportation. At Hoover Dam, you'll be on your own; from start to finish, allow for five-and-a-half hours. Deluxe tours involve the same type of coach bus but are eight-hour tours, with lunch and admission to the dam tour included. Ultimate tours add a visit to Boulder Dam Museum and a lunch stop at the Boulder Dam Hotel in Boulder City and entertainment aboard the coach on the ride back to town.
Pricing
Casinos, hotels and vendors along the Las Vegas Strip sell excursion packages. The same tours, when booked online, are guaranteed to be lower priced, with 24/7 customer service. Bus tours are far less expensive than air/bus tours. Overnight weekend excursions from Los Angeles that include Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam can be found online and booked for less than the cost of a flight.
Dam Tours
The power plant tour combines a guided tour with exhibits, film and audio presentations; admission to the Visitor Center and power plant is included. The dam tour includes those sites and dam passageways. Admission to the Visitor Center only includes exhibits and a 10-minute film. Check with excursion companies before booking to find out which tour, if any, is included. If no tour is included, ask how long the bus will be at the dam; you'll need two hours to do the full tour.
Hoover Dam Amenities
Hoover Dam street-level displays include sculptures, overlooks and exhibits in the Old Exhibit Building. One side of the street faces Lake Mead; the other side gives you a view of the Colorado River. Food service is available from a concession and gift shops are on-site. Restrooms are located in the Visitor Center, the parking garage, the Old Exhibit Building and in the towers on the downstream side of the street. The Visitor Center and the power plant tour are accessible for handicapped guests.
Considerations
Dam tours are not recommended for people who have claustrophobia. People with pacemakers should stay at street level; generators in the power plant emit electromagnetic frequencies that could interfere with medical equipment.
Bottled water is permitted on tours; other food and drinks, including gum, are prohibited. Personal belongings are scanned before entering the Visitor Center; cameras, purses and small backpacks are allowed. Federal Interagency Senior and Access Passes are not valid for any admission discounts.
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