Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is located on the border of Arizona and Nevada and was constructed on the Colorado River in Black Canyon between years1930 and 1936. It is famous for being the highest concrete arch dam in the United States at 726 feet high (221 meters) and 1,244 feet long (379 meters) at the crest, and is famous for supplying water and power to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and other rapidly growing cities in the Southwest.

Lake Mead is created by the dam, which extends for 115 miles (185 km) upstream and is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. The dam is used for flood and silt control, hydroelectric power, agricultural irrigation, and domestic water supply. It is also a major sightseeing destination, with some seven million visitors a year, almost one million of whom go on tours through the dam.

History of Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is named after the former U.S. president Herbert Hoover who was in office during the years that construction began on the dam (1929–1933). His work as commerce secretary in the 1920s secured agreements necessary for the project to proceed. The dam was built during the Great Depression and was able to create jobs for over 21,000 workers. It had become a symbol of economic progress and hope during these difficult times. The original name of the dam was Boulder Dam, but in 1947 Truman signed a congressional resolution restoring the structure’s formal name to Hoover Dam for official use.

Current Water Issues in the Southwest

85+ years after its completion in 1935, the infrastructure at Hoover Dam continues to retain water and generate electricity for nearby states. But the rules for managing the river and dividing up its water were created in the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which has been modified over the years and is now facing the greatest strains since the dam was built.

 

The effects of years of severe drought and temperatures pushed higher by climate change are strikingly visible along Lake Mead’s retreating shorelines and waters are at a historic low. Since 2000, the water level in the reservoir, which is the largest in the country, has dropped almost 150 feet. Lake Mead is now less than 35% full and is headed for a first-ever official shortage since it was filled.  Increased drought conditions combined with the river's severe overuse threaten the water supplies of cities and farmlands, also revealing how the system of managing and use of water in the desert Southwest is unsustainable.

Book Your Stay in Las Vegas When Visiting Hoover Dam


RECOMMENDED HOOVER DAM TOURS

Arizona Private Tours

Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and
Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and up to 6 guests on a completely customizable tour of Northern Arizona. For majestic private Grand Canyon tours to Verde Valley Wine tours & ghost towns in the Sedona area, we cover it all. Let us create the custom tour of your dreams and know that we want to make this a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Small-Group Grand Canyon West Rim Day Trip from Las Vegas with Optional Skywalk

Marvel at the incredible scenery of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim thanks to this 12-hour flexible sightseeing trip from Las Vegas. Take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour along the edge of the canyon, stopping at highlights like Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Cowboy Ranch. Optional trip upgra
Marvel at the incredible scenery of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim thanks to this 12-hour flexible sightseeing trip from Las Vegas. Take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour along the edge of the canyon, stopping at highlights like Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Cowboy Ranch. Optional trip upgrades including a helicopter flight or access to the Skywalk viewing platform are also available.

Small-Group 3 Hour Hoover Dam Mini Tour With Las Vegas Strip Pickup

Visit Hoover Dam on a Las Vegas "mini" tour that doesn't take up a whole day so you don't waste your precious vacation time. Or, perhaps you have a late flight and want to do something fun after hotel check-out. After departing the Strip, head to the dam, where you visit lookout points

Visit Hoover Dam on a Las Vegas "mini" tour that doesn't take up a whole day so you don't waste your precious vacation time. Or, perhaps you have a late flight and want to do something fun after hotel check-out. After departing the Strip, head to the dam, where you visit lookout points for views and photo ops.

  • Visit Hoover Dam on a tour designed for those short on time
  • Round-trip transport provided from the Las Vegas Strip
  • Travel by small-group vehicle
  • See the dam, Colorado River, and Lake Mead from different angles

Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop with optional Skywalk

This Grand Canyon day tour has it all! Avoid the crowds at the canyon as this tour picks up from select hotels in a luxury modern bus with restrooms on board, giving you more time to enjoy your destination! Enroute to the West Rim and exclusive to this particular tour, you'll enjoy a hot,
This Grand Canyon day tour has it all! Avoid the crowds at the canyon as this tour picks up from select hotels in a luxury modern bus with restrooms on board, giving you more time to enjoy your destination! Enroute to the West Rim and exclusive to this particular tour, you'll enjoy a hot, sit-down breakfast at a restaurant. This tour also includes a bonus stop at the Hoover Dam Memorial Bridge where you can capture incredible photos of the Dam! Continuing onto the Grand Canyon, your tour guide will tell you all about the Canyon and the Hualapai Indians. Included is admission to the West Rim, VIP bus access at the Canyon (an exclusive benefit for this tour only), Breakfast, BBQ lunch on the canyon rim and two bottles of water. Return to Las Vegas at approximately 5pm.

Grand Canyon West Rim Bus or Private Tour with Hoover Dam

Marvel at the incredible scenery of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim thanks to this 12-hour flexible sightseeing trip from Las Vegas. Take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour along the edge of the canyon, stopping at highlights like Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Cowboy Ranch. Optional trip upgra
Marvel at the incredible scenery of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim thanks to this 12-hour flexible sightseeing trip from Las Vegas. Take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour along the edge of the canyon, stopping at highlights like Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Cowboy Ranch. Optional trip upgrades including a helicopter flight or access to the Skywalk viewing platform are also available.

Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam Small Group Day Tour

Experience the world-famous Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam in style during this luxury small-group day trip from Las Vegas. Travel aboard a vehicle with leather seats, USB ports, and outlets as you make stops at the Hoover Dam, Dolan Springs, and Grand Canyon West Rim (site of the Skywalk). R
Experience the world-famous Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam in style during this luxury small-group day trip from Las Vegas. Travel aboard a vehicle with leather seats, USB ports, and outlets as you make stops at the Hoover Dam, Dolan Springs, and Grand Canyon West Rim (site of the Skywalk). Round-trip hotel transport and lunch are included, and an optional Skywalk ticket upgrade package is available.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas with VIP Skywalk & Pontoon Boat Ride

Book the ultimate Grand Canyon getaway with this combo tour that begins with a helicopter flight from Las Vegas. Get a birds-eye-view of Hoover Dam and the Grapevine Mesa Joshua Trees en route to the West Rim. Then descend to the canyon floor for a pontoon boat cruise on the Colorado Ri

Book the ultimate Grand Canyon getaway with this combo tour that begins with a helicopter flight from Las Vegas. Get a birds-eye-view of Hoover Dam and the Grapevine Mesa Joshua Trees en route to the West Rim. Then descend to the canyon floor for a pontoon boat cruise on the Colorado River. Finish with VIP access to the Skywalk, a glass-bottom deck that hovers above the sandstone walls. A souvenir photo and coach transfers are included. ** Please note: Effective for travel prior to April 1, 2024, the price displayed does not include a USD30 per person fuel fee. This fee is payable direct to the supplier on the day of your tour **

  • Grand Canyon helicopter combo tour from Las Vegas
  • View Hoover Dam and the sandstone canyon walls on a helicopter ride
  • Land on the floor of the Grand Canyon Take a pontoon boat cruise along the Colorado River
  • Marvel at the breadth of the canyon from the glass-bottom Skywalk at Eagle Point with skip-the-line admission
  • Hotel transport and souvenir Skywalk photo included

In the Spotlight

MORE WAYS TO EXPLORE HOOVER DAM