From happy customers

Loved by 48 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Allen Easterling
US

Allen

United States
Feb 2026

review-image

review-image
My husband and I were in town for our 1 year anniversary ... we landed down by the river and had the champagne and it was the most beautiful scenery and sights we have seen. We had the best pilot, I'm thinking it was Mitch . He was so knowledgeable and had a great personality and even had great music. This was a really great tour and would highly recommend for a lifetime memory.
Shlomo Shenzis

Shlomo

Jan 2026

review-image
The helicopter tour was an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. The panoramic view of the grand canyon from above were truly spectacular, offering a breathtaking perspective of the landscape. The entire team, from the pilot to the ground staff, was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Their genuine warmth and engaging sense of humor added an extra layer of enjoyment to an already unforgettable journey. I highly recommend this tour for an incredible adventure and a truly memorable outing.
Lisa Burgess
GB

Lisa

United Kingdom
Oct 2025

review-image

review-image
What an amazing trip this was. Our guide Gia was sooooo knowledgeable and such good fun. The Canyon itself was simply WOW. We did the sky walk and decided to add the helicopter and boat to our day and I can honestly say it was worth every penny. We will absolutely be back to Vegas and will use this company again.
Terri L Cunkle
US

Terri

United States
Sep 2025

review-image

review-image
#It was incredible, we did the VIP tour to go underground along with up top. We were on a tour bus group, could have used at least another 1/2 hour there. But overall loved it. We have been to Vegas several times and this is the first time we've done the Dam tour. A must do.

Trusted by over 48M guests worldwide

100% booking protection

You are fully protected end-to-end. If anything is off, we'll fix it or refund you.

Know more

Enjoy flexible bookings

Book stress-free with free cancellation and pay-later options.

24/7 trip support

We're always a tap away - before, during and after your trip, in all languages.

Verified reviews from real travellers. Trusted by guests worldwide.

The Hoover Dam is one of the most significant engineering projects in U.S. history, spanning the Nevada–Arizona border and holding back Lake Mead, the country’s largest reservoir.

Overview:

  • Distance from Las Vegas: 32.8 miles (~53 km)
  • Travel time: 34 minutes
  • On-site duration: 1.5–2 hours
  • Best time to visit: October to April for pleasant temperatures.
  • Meeting/drop-off points: Excalibur Hotel, Horseshoe Hotel, and Treasure Island
  • Key highlights: Visitor Center exhibits, Lake Mead overlooks, Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Walk, and views of the Black Canyon & Colorado River.
  • Most booked tours: From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam VIP Inside Exploration Tour


What to expect

Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
1/5

Departure from Las Vegas

Your Hoover Dam adventure begins with pickup from select hotels along the Las Vegas Strip, in a luxury motorcoach. As you leave the Strip behind, your expert English-speaking guide shares stories of the dam, the Colorado River, and the Nevada desert landscapes, setting the stage for the engineering marvel ahead.

Walk across an engineering marvel from the 1930s

On the Highlights Tour , stroll across the Hoover Dam and take in views from the Memorial Bridge and Lake Mead Overlook. Learn about its construction, the Colorado River’s role, and the enormous scale of the project, all while feeling the desert breeze and expansive canyon walls around you.

Step inside the dam on the VIP tour

The VIP Inside tour lets you explore tunnels and the power plant interiors. Feel the vibrations of water rushing through a 30-foot penstock, see eight massive generators in the Nevada Powerhouse, and stand on platforms that reveal the inner workings of this monumental structure. End with a walk over the Memorial Bridge for a canyon view.

Glide beneath the dam on a raft tour

Hop aboard a raft at the base of the dam for a glide down the Colorado River. Your guide points out wildlife, Black Canyon formations, and engineering details like the Old Catwalk and Gauging Station—unique perspectives that can only be seen from the water below, on the raft tour .

Discover Boulder City before heading back

Finish your day with a visit to Boulder City and the Hoover Dam Museum. Explore the museum at your own pace, grab a snack at a nearby boutique cafe, and browse souvenirs before returning comfortably to Las Vegas, reflecting on a day filled with history, engineering, and breathtaking views.

Things to know before booking your tour

  1. All Hoover Dam tours include round-trip transportation from Las Vegas, which is a 45-minute drive. But due to the popularity of the destination, parking fills up quickly. Opting for a tour with transportation means you skip the stress of renting a car, navigating the desert highways, and finding parking. 
  2. Pickup points from Las Vegas are largely from select hotels along the Strip and Downtown. Check your ticket voucher for details.
  3. The Hoover Dam can be experience in different ways—walk outside, step inside, or float underneath it. The Highlights Tour covers the essentials–a walk across the dam and scenic views from vantage points, without stepping inside. To delve deeper, beyond the views, there is the VIP Exploration Tour , a guided tour of the dam’s interiors, including the generator room and power plant room with the active turbines.
  4. Exteriors & interiors sound too mainstream? Glide underneath the Hoover Dam on a raft , looking up at close-up details of the dam’s construction, including the old catwalk and gauging station.
  5. The Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is a 900-foot viewpoint, overlooking the Hoover Dam, that is included in all the tours. What if you can climb higher? The Helicopter Tour covers the entire Las Vegas Strip, including the Hoover Dam, Bellagio Fountains, and Downtown.
  6. Combine your Hoover Dam tour with another popular tourist attraction, the Grand Canyon West Rim, located 92.6 miles away. Choose a bus or helicopter tour for a full-day adventure.

Hoover Dam tours explained

In-depth exploration

  • Best for visitors who want to go inside Hoover Dam and understand how it works. Walk construction tunnels, stand over a massive penstock overlooking turbines, and explore the powerhouse with eight functional generators.
  • Offers the most engineering detail and behind-the-scenes access, making it ideal for visitors who enjoy history, structural engineering, or immersive guided tours.

Recommended experience:
From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam VIP Inside Exploration Tour

Outdoor highlights tour

  • Great for first-time visitors who want classic views and learn essential dam history. Walk across Hoover Dam and the Memorial Bridge while taking in its Art Deco designs from the 1930s.
  • It's a great choice if you prefer open-air sightseeing and want the signature photo spots without going inside deep tunnels or the power plant/generator rooms.

Recommended experience:
From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam Highlights Tour

Raft tour

  • Ideal for visitors seeking an adventure. Float through Black Canyon, glide beneath the Hoover Dam, and view construction details only visible from water level.
  • A relaxed, scenic experience focused on geology, wildlife, and close-ups of the dam's technical details which are unavailable on any land-based tour.

Recommended experience:
From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam Raft Float Tour

Helicopter tour

  • Designed for visitors who want a fast but dramatic overview. Fly above Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the desert for panoramic aerial views you can’t get from the ground.
  • The most time-efficient option, capturing all major highlights in around 40 minutes including motorcoach transfer—ideal for tight schedules or pairing with other Las Vegas activities.

Recommended experience:
40-min Las Vegas Strip and Hoover Dam Helicopter Tour

Highlights of your tour

Hoover Dam towers and reservoir view from a scenic overlook.

Hoover Dam Overlook

Stand atop the dam for stunning views of the Colorado River, Black Canyon, and surrounding desert landscapes.

Aerial view of Hoover Dam and Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, Nevada.
Hoover Dam turbine generators inside the power plant during exploration tour.
Hoover Dam worker mural and historical photo exhibit at Boulder City and Hoover Dam Museum.
Lake Mead marina with boats and docks viewed from a high vantage point.

Plan your visit

Hoover Dam with surrounding desert landscape in Boulder City, Nevada.

Open daily from 5am–9pm (PST)

  • The Visitor Center and Tours are open daily from 9am–5pm.
  • Early closure on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas at 4:15pm .
  • The last tour departs at 4:10pm; the dam is open for self-exploration till 9pm.

All Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas start at 10am; the helicopter tours has two time slots–7am and 9:30am.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during spring (March–May) and fall (September–November), when temperatures are pleasant and crowds are smaller. Summer (June–August) afternoons can be very hot, so early mornings (the first tour starts at 9am) year-round are ideal for comfortable exploring and sightseeing.

Address: 2786+CW Boulder City, Nevada, USA | Find on Maps
Hoover Dam is located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, on the Nevada-Arizona border.

Getting there:

  • Guided tours: Most visitors opt for tours with round-trip transportation from Las Vegas, saving time and the hassle of parking.
  • By car: Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas via US-93, with parking available on both the Nevada and Arizona sides.
  • By bus/shuttle: Several operators run daily departures from the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown hotels, with a fixed schedule.
Wheelchair accessible path with sign, USA.
  • Accessibility varies across the dam, depending on the tour you are on: While the Inside Exploration Tour and Highlights Tour are wheelchair and stroller-accessible, the Half-Day Raft Tour is not.
  • Service animals, which are trained to assist a person with a disability, are allowed on site.
Security officer conducting bag check at public event.
  • All vehicles are inspected at the Nevada Security Checkpoint; refusal means no entry beyond the checkpoint.
  • No stopping on top of the dam; use designated parking areas for pick-up and drop-off.
  • Weapons, firearms, knives, explosives, fireworks, marijuana, and drones are prohibited on Hoover Dam property.
  • Visitor Center screening is required—all personal items are checked, and metal objects must be removed before entering.
  • Service animals only; pets and comfort animals are not allowed on the dam or inside buildings.
  • Parking is limited; use the Nevada garage ($10) or Arizona lots for oversized vehicles, RVs, and trailers.
  • Dress appropriately; shirts and shoes are required in buildings, and attire with offensive graphics or unsafe fit may be denied.
  • Prepare for outdoor conditions—much of the tour is outside, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for desert weather.
  • Hoover Dam Café: A casual stop right by the Dam, serving burgers, sandwiches, and quick, affordable fare in an outdoor setting with a gift shop. 
    Must-try: “Dam” cheeseburger
  • Bighorn Café: Located inside Hoover Dam Lodge, this full-service café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a comfortable, family-friendly environment.
    Must-try: Omelet and pancakes
  • Southwest Diner: A longtime Boulder City favorite, this diner offers homestyle eats—think meatloaf, tacos, and hearty breakfast fare, in a relaxed, friendly setting. 
    Must-try: Fish tacos and “Dam Beer”
  • Boulder Dam Restaurant: At the Boulder Dam Hotel, this spot serves breakfast and lunch classics with a salad bar, burgers, and brunch-style fare.
    Must-try: Monte Cristo sandwich and fresh-baked biscuit
Woman drinking water while hiking with mountain view in background.
  • The major part of your tour takes place outdoors; wear protective clothing.
  • Carry a refillable water bottle; water sold onsite is pricey.
  • Tip your guide for their services; it’s not included in the ticket.
  • If you’re afraid of heights, skip the Memorial Bridge walkway (stands at 900 feet above the Colorado River); even those comfortable with heights say it’s a dizzying experience, but the views are unmatched.
  • If you have the time, bike or hike the Historic Railroad Trail for a scenic and active way to approach the dam.

Beyond Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon National Park

Just a few hours from Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon offers breathtaking viewpoints, rim walks, and hiking trails. Its layered rock formations reveal millions of years of Earth’s history, while sunset and sunrise views create unforgettable moments.

Antelope Canyon

Located in Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is famous for its narrow sandstone passageways, swirling patterns, and beams of sunlight that illuminate the canyon walls. This slot canyon is best explored with a guided tour, making it one of the most photographed natural landmarks near Hoover Dam.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Created by Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States and a hub for outdoor adventure. Visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking, fishing, and hiking while surrounded by dramatic desert landscapes, making it a perfect complement to a Hoover Dam day trip.

Frequently asked questions about Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas

Most tours last between 4–6 hours when departing from Las Vegas, including travel time. If you’re just visiting the dam itself, expect to spend 1–2 hours exploring.