The Hoover Dam bridge and its walkway
The Hoover Dam bridge is the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, also called the Hoover Dam Bypass. It carries US-93 over the Black Canyon, a short way downstream of the dam. Next to the road lies a pedestrian walkway across the state line between Nevada and Arizona. Walking it is free, and it gives you a view down on the dam and the canyon walls.
You do not need a tour ticket for the bridge. The walkway is separate from the dam parking garage. If you want to go inside the dam as well, see our page for Hoover Dam tickets and tours.
How to reach the bridge walkway
Access is from the Nevada side, from its own viewpoint area.
Drive to the plaza
Follow the signs for the Memorial Bridge Plaza and the viewpoint parking area. It is a separate area from the dam parking garage. The signs start at the same Nevada exit as the route to the dam. Directions for the whole trip are on how to get to Hoover Dam.
Climb to the walkway
From the parking area you reach the walkway by stairs or by a longer paved ramp. Take the ramp if you travel with a stroller or have trouble with steps, and allow extra time for the climb in the heat.
Walk onto the span
The walkway crosses the state line, so you can stand in Nevada and Arizona on the same walk. Wear shoes you can walk in and keep a hand on your phone and camera over the drop.
Our pick: the dam crest and the bridge
This tour walks the crest and the Memorial Bridge with a guide, the two places most visitors want to stand on.
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.
Tours that include the Hoover Dam area
Small-group trips, combinations with Grand Canyon West and flights over the dam, with live prices and availability.
The view: why you walk instead of drive
The walkway and the roadway are separate. Barriers along the road limit the view from a car, and a drive across the bridge does not replace the walk. From the walkway you look down on the dam in its canyon, which no road view shows.
The canyon below the dam is the Black Canyon, where paddlers travel by kayak. If the walk makes you curious about the river itself, see kayaking the Black Canyon.
Height and length: two figures to expect
The height is a range, the length one figure.
| Measure | Figure | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Height above the river | About 890 to 900 ft | About 271 to 274 m |
| Length of the bridge | About 1,900 ft | About 579 m |
| Cost to walk | Free | – |
The height is about 890 to 900 feet, depending on how it is measured. Either number is fine for planning. Plan the bridge as a short stop and add the time to your day around the dam.
Practical notes before you walk
What to know on the day.
Heat and water
The walkway is exposed. In summer the heat is severe, so bring water and go early or late. Details on temperatures are on the best time to visit Hoover Dam.
Restrictions
Access is normally open without a ticket or reservation. Security or weather limits can apply for a short time, so follow the signs and any instructions at the site.
Time zones
The walkway crosses the border between Nevada and Arizona. Nevada uses daylight saving time in summer and Arizona does not. From 1 November 2026 Arizona is one hour ahead of Nevada until daylight time returns.
Driving on into Arizona
The old dam road is not a through road to Arizona. To continue by car, return to US-93 in Nevada and cross the bridge. For ideas beyond the dam, see Arizona road trip ideas.
Other viewpoints near the dam
Three places that give a view, each in a different way.
The Memorial Bridge walkway
Free, open to everyone, and the place that looks down on the dam in its canyon.
The Visitor Center viewing deck
The deck looks down on the dam as well, but it needs a ticket. Tickets are $15 for the self-guided Visitor Center in 2026.
The Historic Railroad Trail
The old railroad bed has five tunnels and looks over Lake Mead and the Boulder Basin. It is about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) one way for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs. Check the current state of the trail before you go. See things to do near Hoover Dam.
More to see around the dam
Pages that fit a bridge walk.
Hoover Dam bridge: frequently asked questions
Is the Hoover Dam bridge free to walk?
Yes. Walking the Memorial Bridge costs nothing, and you do not need a tour ticket or a reservation.
Where do I park for the bridge?
Use the Memorial Bridge Plaza and the viewpoint parking area on the Nevada side, which are signed from the same exit as the dam. It is a separate area from the dam parking garage.
How high is the bridge?
About 890 to 900 feet (271 to 274 m) above the Colorado River. The bridge is about 1,900 feet (579 m) long.
Can I see the dam from a car on the bridge?
Only poorly. Barriers along the roadway limit the view, and the walkway is the place to look down on the dam.
Is the walk suitable with a stroller or wheelchair?
You reach the walkway by stairs or by a longer paved ramp. The ramp is the option for strollers and for anyone who cannot use steps.
Is this the official bridge or dam website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not the official site of Hoover Dam, the Bureau of Reclamation or the National Park Service. Check the signs at the bridge for current access.