Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
Lake Mead is the reservoir the dam holds back on the Colorado River. The Bureau of Reclamation runs the dam and the power plant, while the National Park Service manages recreation on the lake. That split explains why the dam and the lake have separate tickets and fees.
Most visitors reach the lake in one of three ways: on a cruise from Hemenway Harbor, on foot to a viewpoint or by car with the park entry fee. This page starts with the cruise.
Our picks: on Lake Mead
The paddlewheeler is the easy way onto the lake from Boulder City. The guided kayak tour is for active visitors and includes lunch on an island.
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.
Guided Lake Mead kayak tour toward the dam
- Kayak and guide
- Lunch on an island
Kayak, life jacket and a guide, with lunch and snacks on an island in the lake. The park entry is extra; check the meeting point before you book.
Check availability →
Lake Mead paddlewheeler cruise toward the dam
- 90-minute paddlewheeler cruise
- Indoor and outdoor decks
- Parking
A 90-minute cruise with indoor and outdoor decks and recorded commentary. The Lake Mead park entry fee is extra.
Check availability →Lake Mead cruises and Hoover Dam tours
Boat trips on the lake, tours of the dam and combinations, with live prices and availability.
Hoover Dam sightseeing cruise on Lake Mead in 2026
Schedule and prices of the cruise operator.
Season and days
The 2026 schedule runs from 4 February to 21 December, Wednesday to Sunday, with departures at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The cruise is closed on Thanksgiving. There is no Monday or Tuesday departure, so do not plan around one.
Length and arrival
The cruise lasts 90 minutes. Arrive 45 minutes before departure. The ship is a three-deck vessel in the style of a Mississippi riverboat.
Prices
Adults pay $52 and children aged 2 to 11 pay $28 in 2026. Check the final total, any online fees and the price for children under 2 when you book.
Departure point
Boats leave from Hemenway Harbor. Use the address 490 Horsepower Cove Road, Boulder City, NV 89005, and follow the signs for Boat Tours. The park entry fee is extra, because the boat ticket is not a park pass.
Lake Mead fees and passes in 2026
Entry and boat fees of the National Park Service. Payment is by card, not cash.
| Fee | Price (2026) | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $25 | 1 to 7 days | One fee per vehicle |
| Motorcycle | $20 | 7 days | Up to 2 motorcycles and 4 people |
| On foot or by bike | $15 | 7 days | Age 16 and over, younger visitors free |
| Motorboat | $16 | 7 days | Annual pass $50, senior and access discount of 50 percent |
| Local annual pass | $45 | 1 year | For US citizens and residents |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 resident, $250 non-resident | 1 year | Not a ticket for dam tours |
Non-motorized boats do not need a vessel pass. Park entry and dam tours are separate: the entry fee does not buy a dam tour, and a dam tour ticket does not cover park entry. For most day visitors, the vehicle fee is the one that matters.
The water level of Lake Mead
The level of the lake changes with the seasons and the dry years, and the light band on the canyon walls marks where the water once stood. The level is a height measured in feet above sea level, not a measure of how full the lake is.
For scale, a full lake at a surface of 1,221.4 ft held about 28.9 million acre-feet of water, or 35.7 cubic kilometers. That is a capacity figure, not what the lake holds today. Boat ramps and harbors depend on the level, so check the current conditions before you plan a launch.
Viewpoints, swimming and safety
Where to look at the lake and where to stay out of the water.
Viewpoints
The Historic Railroad Trail follows an old rail line through 5 tunnels and looks out over the lake and the Boulder Basin. It is 3.7 miles (6.0 km) one way, and you can walk or cycle it. The Memorial Bridge walkway and the observation deck of the Visitor Center give a different angle, but the deck needs a ticket.
Memorial Bridge walkway →Swimming
Harbors, marinas, mooring areas and boat ramps are closed to swimming and wading. The lake has designated swim areas, for example Boulder Beach. Swimming is not banned across the whole lake.
Heat and storms
Plan for strong heat when you hike, for thunderstorms and flash floods, and for wind on the water. Carry water and check the forecast.
Wildlife
Keep your distance, and do not feed, touch or disturb animals.
A cruise and a dam visit on the same day
How the opening times fit together.
Dam and Visitor Center hours
The dam is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Visitor Center and tours run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last tour at 4:10 p.m.
Cruise times
Cruise departures at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. plus 45 minutes of arrival time mean you should be at the harbor by 10:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m. Allow time for the drive between the dam and the harbor.
Park entry
One park entry fee covers the lake for 1 to 7 days per private vehicle. Dam tickets are bought separately.
Plan the rest of your trip
The dam and the canyon below it.
Hoover Dam tickets
Powerplant Tour, Dam Tour and Visitor Center with 2026 prices.
Black Canyon kayak
Kayaking on the river below the dam and to Emerald Cave.
Things to do near the dam
Boulder City, trails and viewpoints.
Lake Mead is one of two large reservoirs on the Colorado. For its upstream neighbor in Arizona, see Lake Powell near Page.
Lake Mead: frequently asked questions
How much is the Hoover Dam sightseeing cruise?
Adults pay $52 and children aged 2 to 11 pay $28 in 2026. The final total, online fees and the price for children under 2 are shown when you book.
When does the cruise run?
The 2026 schedule runs from 4 February to 21 December, Wednesday to Sunday, with departures at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving. Arrive 45 minutes before departure.
Does the boat ticket include park entry?
No. The park entry fee is extra, $25 for a private vehicle for 1 to 7 days in 2026.
Can I swim in Lake Mead?
Yes, in designated swim areas such as Boulder Beach. Harbors, marinas, mooring areas and boat ramps are closed to swimming and wading.
Where does the cruise leave from?
From Hemenway Harbor, at 490 Horsepower Cove Road, Boulder City, NV 89005. Follow the signs for Boat Tours.
Is hoover-dam.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by or connected to the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service or any tour operator.