Hoover Dam at a glance
Hoover Dam stands in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between Nevada and Arizona. It protects against floods, stores water and produces hydropower. Visitors come for the Powerplant Tour, the Visitor Center, the walk on the Memorial Bridge and the view of Lake Mead behind the dam.
This guide covers the whole visit: tickets and tours at the dam, day trips and transport from Las Vegas, helicopter flights, combinations with Grand Canyon West, kayaking in the Black Canyon, opening hours, the bridge, Lake Mead, facts and history, getting there, the best time to visit and where to stay. Prices are in US dollars as listed for 2026, and they change.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area charges its own entry fee, $25 per private vehicle for 1 to 7 days in 2026. It is separate from the dam tour tickets.
Our picks: Hoover Dam tours
For the inside of the dam, take a tour with the powerplant and generator room in its includes. If you also want the Grand Canyon, the small-group West Rim day adds a walk on the crest; the helicopter flight shows the dam, Lake Mead and the canyon from the air.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Helicopter flight over Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon
- About 70-minute flight
- Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and canyon
- Recorded commentary
About 70 minutes in the air over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Grand Canyon West, with recorded commentary and no landing.
Check availability →
Small-group West Rim, Skywalk and Hoover Dam
- West Rim and Skywalk entry
- Hot lunch
- Guide
West Rim and Skywalk entry, a hot lunch and a guide, with a walk on the dam crest on the way back.
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Emerald Cave kayak tour with shuttle from Las Vegas
- Shuttle from Mandalay Bay
- Guided kayak tour
- Snacks and water
Six hours in total with about three on the water, guided to the Emerald Cave. The national park entry is extra.
Check availability →
Powerplant tour with a guided walk on the dam
- Powerplant and generator room
- Memorial Bridge
- Entry fees and taxes
The powerplant and generator room, a guided walk on the crest, the Memorial Bridge and the Winged Figures, with entry fees included.
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Walk on top of the dam and the bridge
- Walk on the dam crest
- Observation deck
- Memorial Bridge
A guided walk on the crest, the observation deck, the Memorial Bridge and the Lakeview Overlook. The powerplant is not included.
Check availability →
Hoover Dam with powerplant tour and lunch
- Powerplant tour
- Walk on the dam
- Lunch
The guided powerplant tour with the generator rooms, a walk on the dam and a restaurant lunch, with transfers from Las Vegas.
Check availability →Hoover Dam tours and day trips
Small-group trips from Las Vegas, helicopter flights, Grand Canyon West combinations and kayaking, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Hoover Dam visit
Start with tickets or a tour, then pick the pages you need.
Hoover Dam tickets
Powerplant Tour, Dam Tour and Visitor Center prices for 2026, and how to buy.
Hoover Dam tours
Small groups, hotel pickup and what each kind of tour includes.
Hoover Dam from Las Vegas
Distance, drive time, tours with transfer and what public transport does not reach.
Helicopter tours
Flights over the dam and Lake Mead, without a landing at the dam.
Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam
West Rim day trips that add the dam to Grand Canyon West.
Kayaking the Black Canyon
Emerald Cave, Willow Beach and the permit at the foot of the dam.
Opening hours
Hours for the dam, the Visitor Center and the last tour, plus security rules.
The Memorial Bridge
A free footpath high above the Colorado with a view of the dam.
Lake Mead
Cruises, entry fees and the water level, explained.
Hoover Dam facts
Height, concrete, power output and the two time zones.
History of Hoover Dam
From the 1928 law to the 1935 dedication and the workers.
Getting to Hoover Dam
Route, parking lots and the security checkpoint.
Things to do near Hoover Dam
Boulder City, the Historic Railroad Trail and the hot springs rules.
Best time to visit
Monthly highs, lows and rain, and what summer heat means for your day.
Where to stay
Boulder City or Las Vegas as your base.
A few things to know before you go
The points that most often change a plan.
Parking differs by lot
The Nevada garage costs $10 per vehicle. In Arizona, lot 9 also costs $10, while lots 13 and 14 are free. Large vehicles, RVs and trailers use the Arizona lots signed for them.
Getting there →Passes and tour tickets are separate
Lake Mead entry fees, such as the $45 local annual pass, cover the recreation area. Dam tour tickets are bought separately, so do not assume a pass includes a tour.
Lake Mead fees →The Dam Tour is sold on site
The $40 Dam Tour is sold on site only, first come, first served, and your whole group must be present. Check which tours are running before your visit.
Tickets →Grand Canyon West is not a national park
It lies on Hualapai land and is run by the Hualapai Tribe. National park passes are not accepted there.
Grand Canyon combos →Hot springs trails close in summer
Access to the hot springs trails near Lake Mead is closed from 15 May to 30 September, and extra heat closures are possible.
Around the dam →Two time zones meet here
Nevada uses Pacific time with daylight saving. Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time all year. In summer the clocks match, and in winter Arizona is one hour ahead.
Facts →Beyond the dam
Bigger trips that have their own guides.
If you plan to see the canyon itself, Grand Canyon tours are covered in a separate guide. For a longer trip through the state, see an Arizona road trip. This site stays with the dam, Lake Mead and what you can reach from Las Vegas in a day.
More independent guides to Arizona and southern Utah
Separate guides from the same team.
Arizona
Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Sedona and road trips across the state.
Tucson
Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, desert museums and the missions of southern Arizona.
Kanab
The Wave, White Pocket, Coral Pink Sand Dunes and slot canyons on the Utah–Arizona border.
Hoover Dam: frequently asked questions
How far is Hoover Dam from Las Vegas?
The dam is 30 to 35 miles (48 to 56 km) southeast of Las Vegas, depending on the start point. From the airport the drive takes about 45 minutes. See Hoover Dam from Las Vegas.
How much do tickets cost?
In 2026 the Powerplant Tour costs $25 for adults and $15 for ages 4 to 16. The Dam Tour costs $40, and the self-guided Visitor Center costs $15. Children up to 3 years are free. Parking is extra. See Hoover Dam tickets.
When is Hoover Dam open?
The dam is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Visitor Center and tours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., doors close at 4:15 p.m. and the last tour starts at 4:10 p.m. The Visitor Center and tours are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. See opening hours.
Can I see the dam without a tour?
Yes. The footpath on the Memorial Bridge is free and looks down on the dam and the Black Canyon. The Visitor Center and its viewing deck need a ticket.
Can I drive over the dam to Arizona?
The old road over the crown is not a through route. To continue to Arizona, take US-93 and I-11 back toward Nevada and cross the bypass bridge. Details are on the getting there page.
Is hoover-dam.org the official Hoover Dam website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service or any tour operator or hotel.