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 massive structure on the Colorado River that created Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the United States. Visiting the dam is one of the best things to do on a trip to Las Vegas- here's how!

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

One of the most comprehensive tours you can do from Las Vegas is the tour that combines a visit to the Grand Canyon with the mighty Hoover Dam This 12-hour adventure takes 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 the thrilling Skywalk, a helicopter flight over the canyon or a pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River. Stops at Eagle Point and Guano Point will give you some of the best panoramic views in the canyon.

Details of interest

• Price: from ₹10,285
• Duration: about 12 hours
• Recommended if... you want to combine nature, history and adventure in a full day trip 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 from your hotel to head first to the Grand Canyon, where you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and explore the overlooks while learning about the geology and history of the site from your expert guide.

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

Next stop will be the Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece that regulates the waters of the Colorado River. Here you'll 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 the trails and marvel at the beauty of this protected park.

Details of interest

• Price: from ₹19,123
• Duration: about 7-8 hours
• Recommended if... you want to discover three natural gems of the American Southwest in one day.

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 pick-up from your hotel and during the tour you'll have included amenities such as breakfast, lunch and bottled water so all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself.

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

You'll then continue on to the Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll 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 over 1200 metres to the bottom of the canyon or entry to the thrilling Skywalk to walk on a glass bridge suspended above the void.

Interesting details

• Price: from ₹14,453
• 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 with this 6.5 hour comedy guided tour that combines history, engineering and a lot of humour. 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. You will also 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 go inside the power plant to understand how it works from the inside.

Interesting details

• Price: from ₹9,640
• Duration: about 6 and a half hours
• 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 you to join an organised tour as you don't have to worry about travelling or how to get tickets there, which makes things much simpler.

I also 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 travellers, it's that easy!

Hoover Dam is located just 50 kilometres 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 natural and historic landscapes of the area.

Many organised 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 experience one of America's most impressive engineering feats.

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

So you don't have to worry about logistics, an excellent option is to book an organised tour that combines the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon on 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 take you long to get there, stop, take pictures and so on. 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 back to Las Vegas in the same day and still allow you to enjoy the site, the views and learn a bit about its importance, its construction, etc.

Depending on the tour you choose, you'll be able to see the Hoover Dam and different tourist attractions related to the reservoir such as the Hoover Dam Power Plant and Visitors Center, Lake Mead, Boulder City, the Arizona Overlook or the Dam Bypass Bridge where there are magnificent views of the landscape. Get your camera ready because you're 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 at 640 square kilometres. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, boating, jet skiing and scuba diving.