Standing 726 feet (221 meters) high on the Nevada-Arizona state line, the impressive Hoover Dam is a popular destination for Las Vegas tourism. The concrete arch-gravity dam harnesses the flow of the Colorado river and once formed Lake Mead, one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, providing power, flood control, irrigation, and water to the surrounding areas. With nearly a million people touring the dam each year, the Hoover Dam is quite a popular tourist attraction, and for good reason! 

Our Hoover Dam tours will get you up close and personal with this spectacular feat of engineering by bus, kayak, raft, or aircraft. Just 40 minutes from Las Vegas, this is a sight not to be missed!

Hoover Dam History

The Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression, and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Originally known as Boulder Dam from 1933, it was officially renamed Hoover Dam by a joint resolution of Congress in 1947. The dam was named after President Herbert Hoover, whose administration secured the necessary agreements for the project to begin construction. 

Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and the dangerous work cost over one hundred individuals their life in the process. With the influx of blue collar workers, engineers, and government employees to this area of the Southwest, the Hoover Dam is credited to have helped make the city of Las Vegas (and the nearby town of Boulder City) what it is today. 

Best Time To Visit

The Hoover Dam Visitor Center and our Hoover Dam tours from Vegas are available year-round to welcome visitors from all over the world. If you’re looking to skip the crowds, a tour in the winter may provide a more secluded visit. Any time you visit will be sure to impress!

Featured Tours

There are many ways to experience the immensity of the Hoover Dam! 

For an in depth tour of the facility, check out our Hoover Dam Tour. With bus pick-up in Las Vegas, your comfortable transportation will make this day a breeze. Explore the exterior of the dam and enjoy stops at scenic lookouts before heading inside for a VIP tour.  You’ll be guided through the Visitor Center, Exhibit Area, Movie Room, Observation Area, and more!

For those looking to include the dam as part of another adventure, check out the following tours!

Our Black Canyon Kayaking tour is a full day experience with approximately 5-6 hours on the crystal clear waters of the Colorado River. You’ll be able to see the Hoover Dam from the bottom of the gorge, before your guide leads you through the best that the Black Canyon has to offer, making stops to visit some of the remote caves, coves, and hot springs along the way. There is so much to learn and see, and this kayak tour allows enough time to do it all! Beginners are welcome on this tour, as a short safety demonstration will be provided prior to drop-in. Glide along the river in the serenity of a paddlecraft.

For those wanting to kick back and relax, our Black Canyon Rafting tour, which is also a full day experience with approximately 3 hours on the water, allows for epic views of the dam before cruising into the wilderness. This rafting tour is run on a motorized raft, leaving your hands free to snap some photos! Your expert guide will ferry you through the gorge while educating you on the history, archeology, and ecology of the land. Transportation to and from Las Vegas in an air-conditioned vehicle is provided. 

Alternatively, soar over the Hoover Dam from above as you leave Las Vegas on a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour. Feel like a VIP as you are whisked away to the Colorado Plateau, home of the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon. There’s nothing quite like a bird’s eye view!

Last but not least, you’ll make a stop at the Hoover Dam and Route 66 on our 2-Day Grand Canyon Camping Tour from Las Vegas. Spend a night under the stars at the Grand Canyon (camping and hotel options) and get more out of this truly amazing National Park. With the bright lights of Sin City, the history of the Hoover Dam and Route 66, and the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon, this all-encompassing tour does not disappoint!