4 Best Day Trips to Hoover Dam from Las Vegas

Considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, the Hoover Dam is a huge structure on the course of the Colorado River that created Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the United States. Visiting it is one of the best excursions to do during a trip to Las Vegas. I'll tell you how!

Las Vegas is not just a city filled with casinos, neon lights and big shows. Being close to several natural monuments, many travelers take advantage of their stay here to take a trip to stunning sites such as the Grand Canyon, the Valley of Fire or Lake Mead.

One of the most complete tours you can do from Las Vegas is the tour that combines a visit to the Grand Canyon with the imposing Hoover Dam. This 12-hour adventure will take you in a comfortable bus to discover some of the most spectacular scenery in the southwestern United States. Along the way, you'll see the vast Lake Mead, pass through the forest of iconic Joshua trees and stop at the famous dam that regulates the waters of the Colorado River.

Once in the west side of the Grand Canyon, you'll have up to 4 hours free to explore at your own pace and take advantage of optional activities such as a thrilling ride on the Skywalk, a helicopter flight over the canyon or a pontoon tour on the Colorado River. Stops at Eagle Point and Guano Point will allow you to enjoy some of the canyon's best panoramic views.

Details of interest

• Price: from $121
• Duration: about 12 hours
• Recommended if... you want to combine nature, history and adventure in a full day tour from Las Vegas.

This day tour from Las Vegas will allow you to discover three of the most iconic natural destinations in the southwestern United States. The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Joshua Tree tour begins with a pick-up at your hotel to head first to the Grand Canyon, where you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and explore the overlooks while learning about the geology and history of the site from your expert guide.

You will have free time to walk the trails and, if you wish, you can add the optional entrance to the Skywalk, a glass bridge that allows you to feel the immensity of the canyon beneath your feet.

The next stop will be at Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece that regulates the waters of the Colorado River. Here you will learn about its construction and historical impact while enjoying views of Lake Mead.

The adventure ends at Joshua Tree National Park, famous for its desert landscapes and iconic trees. You will have the opportunity to hike its trails and marvel at the beauty of this protected park.

Details of interest

• Price: from $224
• Duration: about 7-8 hours
• Recommended if... you want to discover in one day three natural jewels of the American Southwest.

On this comprehensive tour of approximately 12 hours, you will discover some of the most striking natural wonders near Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and 7 Magic Mountains tour includes hotel pick-up and during the tour you will have included amenities such as breakfast, lunch, and bottled water so all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself.

The first stop will be at the Hoover Dam, where you will hike above this impressive structure and admire the views of the Colorado River.

Then, you will continue to the Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will explore the west side of this gigantic gorge. You'll access highlights such as Eagle Point and Guano Point for spectacular views of the canyon.

Plus, you'll have the option to add premium experiences such as a helicopter flight that descends more than 1,200 meters to the bottom of the canyon or entry to the thrilling Skywalk to walk on a glass bridge suspended above the void.

Details of interest

• Price: from $170
• Duration: about 12 hours
• Recommended if... you are looking for a complete excursion with all amenities included and spectacular views.

Discover the Hoover Dam in a different way thanks to this 6.5 hour guided tour that combines history, engineering and a lot of humor. A knowledgeable and humorous guide will accompany you throughout the tour, making the experience not only informative, but also entertaining.

The tour includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, as well as a hot lunch served at a restaurant next to the dam. In addition, you will receive a complimentary ticket to enjoy the LA Comedy Strap show at the Strap Hotel.

During the tour, you will admire the dam from different angles thanks to stops at viewing platforms, walk a unique path over the dam, and access the inside of the powerhouse to understand how it works from the inside.

Details of interest

• Price: from $102
• Duration: about 6 hours and a half
• Recommended if... you want to discover the Hoover Dam in a fun way and with all the comforts included.

To visit the Hoover Dam I recommend joining an organized tour because you don't have to worry about travel or how to get tickets there, which makes things much simpler.

Also, I like these tours because they combine the visit to the Hoover Dam with other very entertaining activities such as the entrance to the Ethel M. chocolate factory and the botanical cactus garden, a paddleboat cruise on Lake Mead or an exclusive tour over the reservoir with a guide, among others.

In Hellotickets you can compare prices, routes and duration of the tours. All you have to do is check availability, choose the date and the number of travelers, it's that easy!

Hoover Dam is located just 30 miles from Las Vegas, which is approximately a 45-minute drive. This proximity makes it one of the most popular getaways for visitors to the city who want to explore the area's natural and historic landscapes.

Many organized tours include a visit to the dam as part of a half-day itinerary or combined with other attractions, such as the Grand Canyon or the 7 Magic Mountains. So, if you're staying in Las Vegas, you won't have to travel far to enjoy one of America's most impressive engineering feats.

Between the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon there are about 400 kilometers of distance that take almost 4 hours to cover. Combined with the time it takes to get from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam, the entire trip would be about 5 hours. Therefore, it is important to plan the route well if you want to visit both places on your own in one day, taking into account the stops, the time to enjoy each site and the return to Las Vegas.

So you don't have to worry about the logistics, an excellent option is to book an organized tour that combines the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon in the same day This way, you can make the most of the experience with comfortable transfers, an expert guide and stops at the most spectacular viewpoints. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the desert and canyon.

The cheapest way to see the Hoover Dam is to include it in your tour if you plan to do a roadtrip from Las Vegas and rent a car. In that case, it won't cost you much time to get there, stop, take pictures, etc. But if you have to rent a car just to get here, it's not worth the expense.

The most economical way would be to join a guided tour that will take you to the dam and bring you back to Las Vegas in the same day and allow you to enjoy the place, its views and learn a little bit about its importance, its construction, etc.

Depending on the tour you choose, you will be able to see the Hoover Dam and different tourist attractions related to the reservoir such as its power plant and visitors center, Lake Mead, Boulder City, the Arizona overlook or the dam's bypass bridge from where there are magnificent views of the landscape. Get your camera ready because you are going to take some amazing pictures!

The construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River created Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the United States with an area of 640 square kilometers. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, boating, jet skiing and scuba diving.