Hoover Dam Nevada | Black Rock Canyon | Photo Opportunities Out Of This World – Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

VERDICT: WE GAVE 5 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!

This article is also part of the Ultimate Guide to Nevada, exploring the Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Area 51 and even Getting Married. Read the complete itinerary here.

Discover the extraordinary engineering, history and immense scale of America’s iconic Hoover Dam

The day we visited the Hoover Dam was a staggering 117° but was definitely worth braving the heat. What a fascinating engineering marvel!

The Dam, over the Colorado River in Black Canyon, on the Arizona/Nevada border, creates Lake Mead, a major recreation spot, but also provides vital power & water to cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix & LA.

The power plant & dam are massive & imagining how the builders & workers dealt with such a huge project just boggles the mind.

Built during the Great Depression, this arch-gravity dam, is a National Historic Landmark & has been rated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.

We booked our trip through Viator, not realizing it would be the hottest day (interestingly the hottest day ever was recorded as being 119.9 degrees in the Summer of 1931!) but it was still an excellent trip.

Between 10,000-20,000 men & their families went to Black Canyon to build the Dam, which took less than five years, but was done in a harsh, barren area. 100 lives were lost in the building of the Hoover Dam. The Colorado had to be diverted while they built the dam, and it took four diversion tunnels, driven through the canyon walls, to do it.

We were amazed the job of the “High Scalers” who were suspended from the top of the canyon with ropes, climbing down the walls & removing loose rock with jackhammers & dynamite!

Falling objects were the most common cause of death on the dam site, not surprisingly.

One story that captured us was how one High Scaler was able to save the life of a government inspector, who’d lost his grip of a safety line. As he began tumbling down a slope toward certain death, the High Scaler was able to catch him & pull him into the air!

We were also shocked by the size of the equipment & tools that were needed to do the job, thinking how they would also need to be maintained all of the time.

There are some beautiful viewpoints & photo opportunities here. We would recommend giving yourself a few hours to fully take in this tour.

Here’s a similar trip to the one we enjoyed 👇🏼

Tours & Recreation Available at Hoover Dam

Guided Hoover Dam Tour: The most comprehensive official interior experience. It includes the historic tour tunnels, original elevator, inspection tunnels inside the dam, a view of the Colorado River through a ventilation shaft, and the Powerplant Tour. The Bureau of Reclamation currently lists this at US$40 per person and tickets are purchased on-site only.
Guided Powerplant Tour: A shorter official tour taking visitors inside the dam to learn how Colorado River water is used to generate hydroelectric power. Good if you don’t have time for the full Dam Tour.
Visitor Center & Observation Areas: Explore exhibits about the construction, engineering and history of Hoover Dam and enjoy elevated views over the dam, Lake Mead and Black Canyon.
Las Vegas → Hoover Dam Coach/Small-Group Tours: Numerous operators offer half-day trips from Las Vegas, typically combining the dam with the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge viewpoint, Boulder City and sometimes the Powerplant Tour.
Hoover Dam + Grand Canyon West Tours: A popular full-day combination from Las Vegas. These generally include a Hoover Dam stop before or after Grand Canyon West, although some only provide an exterior/photo stop rather than an interior tour.
Hoover Dam Rafting Tour: Launch from below Hoover Dam and travel through Black Canyon on the Colorado River. It’s one of the best ways to appreciate just how enormous the dam actually is. The National Park Service lists authorized rafting experiences from the security-controlled launch area.
Hoover Dam Kayaking Tour: For something considerably more active, permitted outfitters launch kayaks at the base of Hoover Dam and paddle downstream through Black Canyon toward Willow Beach.
Lake Mead Cruise to Hoover Dam: A much more relaxed option aboard a Mississippi-style paddle-wheeler, travelling across Lake Mead toward Hoover Dam and back.
E-Bike Tours: Guided e-bike excursions are available between the Lake Mead Visitor Center area and Hoover Dam.
Helicopter Tours: Various Las Vegas operators offer aerial sightseeing that incorporates Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, sometimes as part of longer Grand Canyon flights.

Recreation Around Hoover Dam & Lake Mead

There’s considerably more to do around Hoover Dam than simply touring the structure. Lake Mead National Recreation Area covers about 1.5 million acres, making this a worthwhile outdoor destination in its own right.

Kayaking the Colorado River: Paddle through Black Canyon from Willow Beach or, with an authorized outfitter, launch directly below Hoover Dam. Emerald Cave, secluded coves and hot springs can be incorporated into some trips.
Canoeing & Paddleboarding: Lake Mead and Lake Mohave both offer extensive paddling opportunities, with rentals available through area marinas.
Black Canyon National Water Trail: A spectacular 30-mile designated National Water Trail running from Hoover Dam to Eldorado Canyon. It was the Southwest’s first National Water Trail.
Boating on Lake Mead: Rent a boat or explore the lake’s coves, islands and desert shoreline. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave provide more than 290 square miles of waterways.
Fishing: Lake Mead is particularly known for striped bass, with guided fishing excursions available.
Hiking: The Historic Railroad Trail is one of the best choices near Hoover Dam, following the former railroad route used during dam construction and passing through several enormous tunnels.
Cycling & E-Biking: The Historic Railroad Trail and River Mountains Loop Trail provide opportunities to explore the desert landscape by bike.
Scenic Driving & Photography: Lake Mead offers desert roads with viewpoints across brilliant blue water, mountains, canyons and rugged desert terrain.
Wildlife Watching: Look for desert bighorn sheep, particularly around Boulder City and Hemenway Park, along with coyotes, jackrabbits and numerous desert bird species.
Swimming & Picnicking: There are designated recreation and picnic areas throughout Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Camping & RVing: More than 900 camping and RV sites are available across the recreation area.
Scuba Diving: Lake Mead offers freshwater diving, including specialized guided dives to a submerged B-29 Superfortress that crashed into the lake in 1948.

Special highlight:

Kayaking Black Canyon from Hoover Dam toward Willow Beach. You get an entirely different perspective looking up at the 726-foot dam from the Colorado River, and the route can incorporate hot springs, canyon scenery and other historic sites. Direct launches below Hoover Dam require an authorized outfitter because the launch is within the security zone.

Time Needed 2 Hours

Admission Guided Tour Required

Best Time to Visit Year Round

Accessibility Excellent

Visit Official Website Open in Google Maps

Local Tip

Early in the day before crowds appear. Definitely book the tour.

Information Verified: 08/07/2024

The Bottom Line

What an incredible tour. Free photos may be taken from above the dam and the overall canyon. However, to get the full story and see inside the tour is a must. Great experience.

Continue Exploring The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas

Horseshoe Bend – One of Arizona’s most photographed natural landmarks, where the Colorado River curves dramatically around a towering sandstone cliff.
Antelope Canyon – A spectacular slot canyon famous for its colourful sandstone walls and incredible light beams. Guided tours are required.
Hoover Dam – An engineering marvel spanning the Colorado River, offering guided tours and panoramic views over Lake Mead.
Sedona – Renowned for its striking red rock formations, scenic drives, hiking trails, art galleries and vibrant downtown.
Visit Fremont Street Experience – Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
Explore Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – Just 30 minutes from the Strip, this spectacular desert landscape offers scenic drives, hiking, rock climbing and incredible photography opportunities.

Nearby Attractions And Things To Do In Las Vegas

Walk the Las Vegas Strip: Experience the world-famous resorts, themed hotels, dazzling fountains, nightlife and free attractions that make Las Vegas unlike anywhere else.
Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
Stay at the Venetian Hotel: One of the city’s top hotels. It is a little pricier, but the environment, rooms, and the feeling of Venice is steps away. Quite a magical stay!
Try out Nine Fine Irishmen and Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill: There are so many restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed both, great food and fantastic hospitality.
Get Married!: On the Strip you will find numerous opportunities to tie the knot. It all can be arranged in a day. Even get the marriage licence on the day! We did it!

Planning Your Trip?

Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:

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