Hoover Dam Power Plant Tour and Visitor Center Options
Tour formats, tickets, hours and special event limits at the dam
Tour formats at the dam
Three formats are described for visitors at the dam: a guided Dam Tour, a Power Plant Tour and a self-guided Visitor Center Tour.
| Format | What the facts state |
|---|---|
| Dam Tour | Guided; tickets are sold only on-site, in person |
| Power Plant Tour | Viewing platform overlooking a penstock 30 feet in diameter |
| Visitor Center Tour | Self-guided, with a 360-degree view from the Observation Deck |
Power Plant Tour details
The Power Plant Tour includes a viewing platform overlooking a penstock that is 30 feet in diameter. The tour also shows 8 of the commercial generators in the Nevada Powerhouse.
The least busy windows for Power Plant Tours include 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and a second window from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. The last tour of the day departs at 4:10 p.m.
- 8Commercial generators shown
- 30 feetPenstock diameter on the viewing platform
- 4:10 p.m.Last tour departs
Visitor Center and Observation Deck
The self-guided Visitor Center Tour includes a 360-degree view of the dam, the Colorado River and Lake Mead from the Observation Deck.
The Visitor Center and tours are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Tickets, passes and access rules
Tickets for the guided Dam Tour cannot be bought online. They are sold only on-site, in person.
A visitor must be over 16 to take a tour alone.
Interagency passes, including America the Beautiful, are not accepted for the Visitor Center or guided tours. A parking garage near the Visitor Center on the Nevada side of the dam charges $10 per vehicle.
Strollers and motorized wheelchairs are not allowed on the Dam Tour.
Not all vehicles may cross the dam, and the Traveler's Guide should be checked before driving.
Before driving to the dam, visitors are advised to review the traveler's guide.
Special event limits
Special event activities may be limited or restricted around Easter, in early August, after Thanksgiving and at Christmas–New Year. Visitors should contact the dam to verify availability.
Limits on special events typically fall during the first 2 weeks of August.
| Period | What the facts state |
|---|---|
| Easter | Special event activities may be limited or restricted |
| First 2 weeks of August | Special event activities typically limited or restricted |
| After Thanksgiving | Special event activities may be limited or restricted |
| Christmas to New Year | Special event activities may be limited or restricted |
Dam construction and Boulder City
Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936, during the Great Depression.
Boulder City, Nevada, near the dam, was originally built to house workers on the dam construction project, the work that the facts list as running from 1931 to 1936.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction period | 1931 to 1936 |
| Setting of construction | During the Great Depression |
| Boulder City | Originally built to house workers on the dam construction project |
Tours and activities at the dam
Frequently asked questions
Can tickets for the Dam Tour be bought online?
No. Tickets for the guided Dam Tour cannot be bought online and are sold only on-site, in person.
How old does a visitor have to be to tour alone?
Visitors must be over 16 to go on a tour by themselves.
Are interagency passes accepted?
Interagency passes, including America the Beautiful, are not accepted for the Visitor Center or guided tours.
When does the last tour leave?
The last tour departs at 4:10 p.m.
Can strollers go on the Dam Tour?
Strollers and motorized wheelchairs are not allowed on the Dam Tour.