Featured in recent movies like Vegas Vacation and Transformers, Hoover Dam has become an iconic and much-visited travel destination in the Nevada-Arizona region of the United States. People come from all over to see this (roughly) 726-foot-tall and 1,244-foot-long dam that finished being constructed back in 1936. At that time, Hoover Dam became the world’s largest concrete structure and a true achievement in harnessing hydroelectric power.
The dam was named after Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States and key player in the construction of the dam. Today, Hoover Dam is the 38th largest hydroelectric generating station in the world and is considered a National Historic Landmark. Very few who visit the Hoover Dam walk away without its magnificent image and feeling of power burned into their memories. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the entity in charge of maintaining the dam, conducts numerous tours for the Hoover Dam’s 1 million plus visitors each year.
The Hoover Dam Visitor’s Center is open daily (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 9 am to 6 pm and admission costs $8 for everyone ages three and older (kids under age three are free), if you do not plan to take a tour. Note that you will also need to plan to pay $7.00 to park in the parking garage. The cost to take a Hoover Dam Powerplant Tour is as follows:
- Adults (ages 17-61) – $11.00
- Seniors (62+), Juniors (ages 4-16), and U.S. Military – $9
- Children (3 and under) and U.S. Military (in uniform) – Free
Note that tickets for Powerplant Tours may be purchased in advance online or at Hoover Dam.
If you want to take the full Hoover Dam tour, then these tickets cost $30 a person and children under age eight are not permitted. Also note that these tickets are sold only at the Hoover Dam ticket office and must be purchased in person. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, so you will want to be sure to arrive early to ensure you can be a part of the tour.
Hoover Dam is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, just about 30 miles outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Its construction created the reservoir Lake Mead that has become a popular tourist destination along with Lake Mohave for people who enjoy watersports. Many people like to combine their trip to Hoover Dam with a vacation at Lake Mead or at Lake Mohave, lodging at towns that border the lakes like Bullhead City, Arizona.
In addition to visiting Hoover Dam, you can find a lot to do in the Bullhead City and Lake Mead or Lake Mohave areas. One of the most popular lake activities includes getting an AZ waverunner rental, allowing you to jet from one end of the beautiful lake to the other. Other people like to water ski or casually cruise the lake in a boat rental from Bullhead City. Or after your educational tour of Hoover Dam, you may just be ready to relax at your Bullhead City hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the fine restaurants in the area.
Like the millions of people who flock to Hoover Dam and the Lake Mead area each vacation season, you need to go see what’s so special about this area on the Nevada-Arizona border. From the history and man-made wonder that is Hoover Dam to the warm weather and beautiful scenery around the Colorado River area, you cannot beat this vacation travel destination.
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