Hoover Dam hours at a glance
Two sets of times matter. The dam itself is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The Visitor Center and the tours run on shorter hours, from 9:00 to 17:00. The doors close at 16:15 and the last tour starts at 16:10, so arrive well before that if you want a ticket. Tour prices and what each ticket covers are on our page for Hoover Dam tickets and tours.
The Visitor Center and the tours are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2026 that means 26 November and 25 December. The dam grounds stay on their normal hours on other days, apart from short notices that the operator posts for repairs, events or weather.
Opening hours and closure days
Regular hours for 2026.
| Part of the visit | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| The dam | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily | – |
| Visitor Center | 9:00–17:00, doors close 16:15 | Thanksgiving (26 November 2026) and Christmas (25 December 2026) |
| Powerplant Tour | 9:00–17:00, last tour 16:10 | Thanksgiving and Christmas |
| Dam Tour | 9:00–17:00, last tour 16:10 | Thanksgiving and Christmas |
For most people the practical rule is simple: be at the Visitor Center well before the last tour. The security check and the ticket queue come before the tour itself. The Dam Tour is sold on site only, the whole group must be present, and tickets go first come, first served. Tickets can sell out, and the operator decides which tours run on a given day. Ask at the Visitor Center what is on before you plan your day around a specific tour.
Our pick: powerplant tour from Las Vegas
This trip times the powerplant tour and visitor center for you, so you do not have to plan around tour slots.
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 near Hoover Dam
Guided visits, small-group trips from Las Vegas and combinations with Grand Canyon West, with live prices and availability.
Security check and what you can bring
Everyone passes a checkpoint on the way in.
Screening
Visitors pass a metal detector or a pat-down, and items are inspected. A small daypack is the sensible choice, because every bag is inspected. You can refuse an inspection, but then you are denied entry.
Food and water
Water is allowed. Sealed food and drinks may be carried, but eating and drinking is not allowed inside the buildings. Food rules can be stricter in places, so keep your bag light and eat before or after.
Not allowed
Weapons, explosives, fireworks, marijuana and drones are banned. Knives are not allowed inside. Pets may not enter the crown or the buildings. Trained service animals are allowed.
Vehicles
Box trailers and semi-trucks are not allowed through the checkpoint. Do not stop or change passengers on the crown. Details on routes and parking are on how to get to Hoover Dam.
Tour prices and who can join
The 2026 rates are $25 for a Powerplant Tour (adults) and $15 for ages 4 to 16, $40 per person for the Dam Tour and $15 per person for the self-guided Visitor Center. Children up to age 3 are free everywhere. The Powerplant guide takes about 30 minutes and the Dam Tour guide about one hour, plus a 10-minute film for each, so treat those lengths as rough.
The Powerplant Tour allows wheelchairs, scooters and strollers. The Dam Tour does not take strollers or motorized wheelchairs, and the shaft is not accessible for a manual wheelchair. Check the current tour list at the Visitor Center before you decide, as the operator can change what runs.
Time zones: Nevada, Arizona and your watch
The dam sits on the state line, so the clock can differ across the river.
Nevada follows Pacific time: Pacific Standard Time is UTC-8 and Pacific Daylight Time is UTC-7. In 2026 daylight time runs from 8 March to 1 November. Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time, UTC-7, all year and does not change its clocks. In summer both sides show the same hour. From 1 November 2026 until daylight time returns, Arizona is one hour ahead of Nevada.
The Visitor Center labels its hours Pacific. Plan by Nevada clock time, and if you start from the Arizona side in winter, count that extra hour. If you add Grand Canyon West to the day, see Grand Canyon tours for the wider region. Grand Canyon West is open from 8:00 to 18:00, with the last ticket sold at 16:30, and in summer the hours can run to 19:00.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pages that go with the opening hours.
Hoover Dam tickets
Powerplant Tour, Dam Tour and the self-guided Visitor Center, with 2026 prices.
Driving and parking
The route from Nevada and Arizona, parking fees and the checkpoint.
Best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and how to handle the heat.
The Memorial Bridge walkway
A free walk with a view down on the dam.
Hoover Dam hours: frequently asked questions
What time does Hoover Dam open and close?
The dam is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Visitor Center and the tours run from 9:00 to 17:00, with the doors closing at 16:15 and the last tour at 16:10.
Is Hoover Dam open on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
The Visitor Center and the tours are closed on both days. In 2026 those are 26 November and 25 December.
How much time do I need?
A Powerplant Tour guide runs about 30 minutes and a Dam Tour guide about an hour, each with a short film. Add time for the checkpoint, parking and the exhibits. The Memorial Bridge walk comes on top.
Can I bring a bag?
Bags are inspected at the checkpoint. Bring a small daypack and water. Food is allowed only if sealed and cannot be eaten inside.
Does Arizona time differ from Nevada time?
In summer the clocks match. In winter, after daylight time ends on 1 November 2026, Arizona is one hour ahead of Nevada.
Is this the official Hoover 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, and it is not connected to any tour operator. Check the posted hours at the dam before you go.