Side Trip: The Hoover Dam

Making a trip to Las Vegas? Spending a few days at the Grand Canyon? No matter your situation be sure to make a stop at the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

Lake Mead from the top of the Hoover Dam

We recently took a family trip to the Grand Canyon.  Since we were all flying into Las Vegas we made our stop at the Hoover Dam part of our trek from Las Vegas to Williams, AZ.

Some members of our group had an early morning flight into Las Vegas, so we met them with the rental car at the airport around 9am to head to the Hoover Dam.

The dam is a easy 40 minute drive from Las Vegas, so even with a stop for coffee and a quick breakfast, we were at the dam by 10am.  One of the KEYS to this trip is arriving early, even in the off season.  This is a major tourist attraction and with its proximity to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon it stays busy!  Also, on your way to the dam you will pass through a security checkpoint, be sure to read this document so you are aware of the Hoover Dam Policies!

When you arrive the parking deck will be on your left, just before the dam.  Its $7 to park here or you can continue on for other parking options.  Just pay to park here, its easy and gives you direct access to the dam.
The dam offers a few tour options, listed on the website.  However, when we arrived taking the Power-Plant Tour ($11) was our only option. We were a little disappointed as we really wanted to take the Dam Tour ($30).  After buying your tickets, you are filtered through a line where they take the groups photo in front of a green screen then load you into a theater with everyone else on your tour.

After the movie is over, you are broken up into two groups for the tour.  Tours take an elevator down into the dam, so the second group will have to wait a bit, just a few minutes nothing intolerable.  From there, you follow your tour guide through the tour of the powerplant before they drop you off at the dam overlook.

Here you can take your time and start doing the tour at your own pace.  They will be selling photos. (remember posing in front of the green screen) we found them to be pretty affordable for a tourist attraction.

When your group is finished at the overlook, make sure to head across the street to an older building.  There is a short program on all the dams on the Colorado River.  I always think it is interesting to see the view of dams at the facility, verses the view of dams at National Parks and environmental organizations.

From here take some time and walk across the dam, snap some photos and continue on your way.
Back on the road be sure to stop at the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge access.  It gives great view of the Hoover Dam and the bridge is pretty cool itself.

NOTE: They are VERY strict about the speed limit on the dam road, so watch that lead foot!

 

The Memorial Bridge from the Hoover Dam (Sorry for the poor quality, this photo was taken on my phone)

 

From here, if heading back to Las Vegas be sure to stop by the Lake Mead Visitors Center and take the short trip down to the water.  If you are continuing onto the Grand Canyon and other attractions; check back for the rest of our trip!