Can you drive across the hoover dam

The legacy of those men remains. Not only is the dam stronger than ever today, but its power station supplies power to Nevada, Arizona, and California, and the lake the dam has formed on the Nevada side — Lake Mead — is a popular recreation area.

The nearby town of Boulder City, which was built to house the thousands of men building the dam, is still growing, being named one of the best places to retire in the U. And, of course, despite my lack of burning desire to visit, the Hoover Dam is a rather large destination for tourists.

Roughly 1 million people visit the dam each year and take the tours offered by the Bureau of Reclamation. DON'T pay for parking. Since the main highway no longer passes over the dam, you'll come in from the Nevada side. There is a large parking garage here that's open from 8 a. But there's really no need to pay for parking. Simply drive across the dam to the Arizona side, where there's a free parking lot. Then you can stroll back across the dam to get to the visitor's center. DO drive across the dam.

Even if you're not going to take a tour or stick around very long, driving across the dam is pretty cool — it's certainly not something you get to do everyday. DON'T pay to visit the visitor center only. DO pay for a tour. This tour allows you to visit some exclusive parts of the dam and takes you INTO the dam itself. It will make the money you spend more worth it. Don't have a car but still want to visit the Hoover Dam?

It's located less than an hour from Las Vegas, meaning you can easily book a day trip. Check out these Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas:. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to.

Join the ADB Community! You can head out on the Dam tour which is available on a first come, first served basis for those over 8 years of age. Younger children cannot go on the tour. For those wanting to see the Power Plant, too, you can reserve a ticket online or at the visitors center.

All ages are allowed on the Power Plant tour. Neither tour is accessible for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

Yes, you can enjoy the Dam for free. Park in one of the free parking areas and walk across the dam. There are plenty of great photo opportunities and interesting information posted along the way. Look up as you walk and see another marvel of engineering: the construction of an immense bridge across the river just downstream from Hoover Dam.

This is on the Hoover Dam Bypass. The dam was completed in five years. The contractors were allowed seven years from April 20, , but concrete placement in the dam was completed May 29, , and all features were completed by March 1, Nearby Boulder City was built in to house the dam workers.

It is the only city in Nevada where gambling is illegal. Visitors can enjoy antique shopping and restaurants. There are restrooms in the visitors center, parking garage, adjacent to the Old Exhibit Building and in the downstream face towers on top of the dam. There is a food concession at the dam. Shopping for a souvenir? You'll find some interesting things at the gift shop on the lower floor of the parking garage. The Hoover Dam is a major attraction.

It is worth visiting, but you may want to avoid the crowds. The slowest months for visitation are January and February. The least crowded time of day for tours is from 9 am.

Remember that you are in the desert. It can get hot at Hoover Dam lots of concrete, remember? Charging to visit federal facility is like charging to visit the Library of Congress which is free to visit, btw. Your email address will not be published. I don't want to miss another post - sign me up for the PWaC newsletter never more than 1 email per day, and no spam.

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Sharing is Caring! More from Points With A Crew. Marisol on September 3, at pm. Thank you for doing this. It helped so much for our first time. Max on September 23, at pm. Planning a trip there in a week. Great help. Peter on January 21, at pm.

Hi dan, Isnt it basically just one trick and its only how to save on parking? Elmer on January 21, at pm. Pat on January 22, at am. I am having serial senior momens! Dano on January 22, at am. Rick on February 20, at pm.