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The first time I went to Hoover Dam in Nevada, I was blown away by how mighty it was. Not only is it an iconic landmark, it’s also huge!
You can find beautiful views of the Colorado River flowing through it. And you can walk the dam and find more picture-worthy sights.
I’ll share what to know when visiting, information on getting there, exploring the dam, and tips.
Getting to Hoover Dam
Since I’ve been here a couple of times, I’ve taken different routes. The traffic hasn’t been bad either way.
Coming from Las Vegas
Coming from Las Vegas, it’s a short road trip to the Hoover Dam. It’s about 35 miles from the Strip, so it’s not far.
The dam is southeast of Las Vegas, and you can take Highway 93 South to get there.
If you encounter traffic on the strip, once leaving it, the highway isn’t bad.
Going Through Lake Mead
My favorite way is through Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This was a more scenic route, but we were coming from California this time.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to enter the area, or use your national parks pass like I do. Then it’s about 30 miles from the Lake Mead area to the dam.
You’ll find scenic viewpoints, rest areas, and a couple of restaurants. I also encountered fierce wind gusts that almost swept me away and bad pollen!
Visiting Hoover Dam
The national landmark is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., except for holidays. Visit on a weekday afternoon, and it probably won’t be crowded.
It is free to walk around and explore the Hoover Dam. However, I had to pay $10 for parking.
If you want to drive through, you don’t have to pay. But you cannot stop your car on the side of the road and take pictures.
Security Checkpoint: What to Know
The first stop was the security checkpoint. A officer asked if there were any guns or explosives in the camper van.
Then they did an inspection. They said all guns had to be locked in cases, as this was federal land.
After that, I rode down the road to oversized parking. Here I ate and relaxed. By the way, there’s a cafe by the visitor center.
Walking Around the Dam
You can go to the visitor center to learn more about the landmark. My favorite thing is to walk around the dam.
I’ve been on both the top and bottom parts. You’ll find mnay displays with fun facts and information about the dam.
From up above, I had a wide view of the Colorado River. There’s a nice view from the lower part too.
I took pictures of the bridge, towers, power plants, and spillways on the lower part of the dam. Nevada, California, and Arizona get a lot of hydroelectric power from here.
If you explore both the upper and lower parts, expect to walk up and down ramps and stairs.
Hoover Dam Is Huge
It’s a long stretch from the parking lot to the visitor center. And I was wearing my comfy walking shoes.
The width of the dam’s base is two football fields from end to end. That might give you an idea of how massive it is.
I saw a woman trekking across the dam in four-inch heels and a mini-skirt. She looked like she was in pain, but maybe she was trying to snap some cool photos.
Now, I love wearing a snazzy pair of stilettos on occasion, but this wasn’t the place. Ha ha!
Exploring When It’s Windy
Remember when I said it was windy traveling to the dam? Well, the wind blew stuff around like a tornado when the van’s door slid open.
Yikes! I could barely hold onto my hat and take pictures.
At times, it nearly ripped the phone out of my hand. When I looked at the bottom of the dam, I saw that many hats had escaped from their owners.
While walking around, I heard one lady tell her friends, “I’m sure glad I didn’t wear my wig today!”
I imagined the wind sweeping up a wig and whirling it across the dam. Ha-ha!
Hopefully, it won’t be so bad when you visit! But it has been gusty every time I’ve been.
Guided Tours at Hoover Dam
They have a guided tour for the dam and power plant. You can buy them at the time of visiting, but you’ll want to check the schedule for the times.
I’d like to go on one the next visit. You can walk through the tunnels and feel the water’s vibrations. Whoa!
Travel Notes
You’ll want to give yourself a lot of time when visiting—at least a couple of hours. This is especially if you make stops along the way.
If you’re just there to snap a photo and leave, there are many viewpoints, but no parking. You’re not supposed to pull over on the road for selfies, but I saw people doing this.
Visiting during the summer can be hot, so bring a water bottle and a hat. And if it’s windy, maybe not the hat!
Overall
Well, I’ve visited more than once, and always marvel at how grand it is. Sometimes, one day just isn’t enough to see all the views at Hoover Dam.
But if you’re on a road trip, driving through the area, it’s worth a stop. Plus, I’ve found another reason to come back and discover more. The guided tour is next on my list!
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