On the edge of the Mojave Desert stands a monument that turned dust, rock and roaring water into hope during the Great Depression. Nearly 90 years later, it generates electricity for a substantial portion of the Southwest while offering recreation (and a vital water source) with the country’s largest man-made reservoir, Lake Mead.
Looking for a day of fun, combined with some history and adventure? A Hoover Dam day trip is a journey through time, and with the nearby lake, there is plenty to do and see here. If you only have time for a short weekend trip, here’s the best way to pack it all in.
Bradley Fortner CC BY 2.0
Boulder Dam Hotel
Where to Stay
For your stay, Boulder Dam Hotel is an excellent choice to keep you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time. This 1930s landmark once hosted movie stars and other important people and is adorned with furniture and décor that nods to Old Hollywood charm. In fact, legend has it that if you listen closely enough, you can still hear the footsteps of the early travelers who came to see America’s biggest engineering gamble. Tucked in the heart of Boulder City, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, and even a small museum you can visit as a preview to the big tour.
Hoover Dam Day Trip: Powerplant Tour
If you don’t know how the dam came to be, here’s a quick backstory: Construction began in 1931, smack in the middle of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce and families flocked to this barren canyon for the promise of steady work. Over 20,000 men labored in brutal conditions to tame the Colorado River. They built diversion tunnels, poured more than three million cubic yards of concrete and worked around the clock in the scorching heat. By 1936, the project was complete, two years ahead of schedule.
Since this is the desert, the best time to go on your tour is in the morning to beat the heat. You could go meet the dam on your own, but guided tours are a terrific way to truly learn the history and understand the significance of where you are. There are a couple of tour options, but we recommend booking the Hoover Dam Guided Powerplant Tour, which takes you about 500 feet below the surface into the generator hall, flanked by giant turbines that have been quietly spinning out electricity for nearly a century.
Walking through the cool tunnels, you can’t help but imagine what it felt like to be part of this massive, risky and wildly ambitious project. You’ll also get to time-travel as you walk…kind of. Since the dam straddles two states, there’s a spot with clocks set to both Nevada and Arizona time. Arizona doesn’t observe daylight saving (they have enough day to spare), so you’ll have fun walking across time zones. On the tour, you’ll learn about the workers too, including the high scalers, daredevils who swung from ropes to blast away loose rock above the canyon walls. These guys were so legendary that tourists used to send postcards featuring them like action heroes. The guides are knowledgeable, offering several trivia tidbits as you go.
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Lake Mead
Aerial view of Boulder City and the Colorado River in the back
Cruise Across Lake Mead
The dam tour lasts about 2 hours and if you went early in the morning, you’ll have a lot of day left for adventure afterward. Once you resurface from the depths of the dam, head over to Lake Mead where you can rent all kinds of watercraft and enjoy swimming. Or book a cruise for a more leisurely activity with Lake Mead Cruises. Their U.S. Coastguard-Certified, three-level paddler known as the Desert Princess, is your chariot for a 90-minute narrated cruise. At about $35 to $50 per adult, it’s one of the most affordable ways to get a front-row seat to the lake and canyon views.
From the deck, you’ll see Hoover Dam from the waterline, which feels like sneaking a peek at a celebrity from a different angle. The narration explains how Lake Mead became the largest man-made reservoir in the United States, created when the Colorado River backed up behind the dam. Without it, cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix would still be dusty outposts. Grab a drink or light snack on board and let the desert sun, jaw-dropping views and history sink in.
Plan your trip to Boulder City at visitbouldercity.com.
Quick Tips for Your Hoover Dam Day Trip:
Book early: Powerplant Tours sell out quickly, especially mornings. Reserve in advance at usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/index.html.
Must-pack items: good walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and water.
Lake Mead: The cruise is open every March-October. To get tickets, head to lakemeadcruises.com/cruises/desert-princess/.
Photo ops: For the best view (and photo) of the Hoover Dam, walk the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
Bonus stop: Explore the free Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum inside the hotel before or after your trip.