Welcome to Travel Tuesday! I went to the Hoover Dam back in 2015 when I was on a rotation out in Arizona but didn’t really do much other than rub the toes for luck (but hey, I matched into my first-choice residency so I guess it worked!).
Hoover Dam Guided Powerplant Tour
Address: The Hoover Dam doesn’t actually have a street address, but here are the coordinates!: N 36.016222, W -114.737245
Hours: 5am – 9pm PST
Dam Tour Hours: Open 9am – 5pm PST*
Parking: The garage and parking lot 9 are $10. If you’re willing to walk 0.75 miles, the upper lots on the Arizona side are free!
Hours: 5am – 9pm PST
Dam Tour Hours: Open 9am – 5pm PST*
Parking: The garage and parking lot 9 are $10. If you’re willing to walk 0.75 miles, the upper lots on the Arizona side are free!
Admission Fee: $15 (powerplant tour), $10 (visitor center)
*Powerplant tour tickets are sold until 3:45pm. The visitor center does not allow entry after 4:15pm.
Built between 1931-1936, the Hoover Dam is built into the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. On the day we went, the guided dam tour wasn’t available, so we decided to go for the guided powerplant tour instead. It brings you through the original construction tunnels and up on the viewing platform so you can feel the vibrations from the water rushing through the pipe + the commercial generators in the Nevada wing of the powerplant.
The power plant tour also includes the self-guided visitor center tour (which in itself is already $10, so you might as well add $5 to check out the powerplant too!) where you can learn more through the narrated exhibits, check out the observation deck, and see the 1940’s era 3D model that goes over the region’s dams and power systems.
The Guided Dam Tour + Self-Guided Visitor Center Tours are only available to purchase on-site, but you can buy tickets for the powerplant tour online! Vehicles are subject to inspection.
Semi-trucks, firearms, explosives, fireworks, and flying drones are all prohibited on Hoover Dam property.
There is a security screening for the powerplant tour on top of the dam. No food/drinks are allowed (water bottles are ok)!
There is a security screening for the powerplant tour on top of the dam. No food/drinks are allowed (water bottles are ok)!
We stayed at an Airbnb in Flagstaff, so we decided to get dinner at a place nearby — Tourist Home Café! (Look at this deliciousness!)
- Have you ever been to the Hoover Dam?
- What’s the last tour you went on?
12 comments
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I have not been, but I love your photos!
The last tour I went on was a Chelsea Market food tour in NYC this past December. Crazy to think all that’s happened since then. Also reminds me, I have so many of my own travel posts I still need to write and schedule. I’m way behind. hah
-Lauren
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Author
I definitely never expected anything like this to happen. 😦 (Had I known, I probably would’ve stayed out an extra 1-1.5 months for my road trip, hahaha.)
Best of luck! I have a billion recipes I keep meaning to write about but just haven’t scrounged up the motivation yet. Hopefully one o’ these days… :D..
Loved visiting the Hoover Dam few years ago, but didn’t make it to visit the powerplant. Something to keep in mind for my next trip :) Thanks for all the information.
Author
I hope it’s helpful! :] I didn’t make it into the powerplant the first time around either! Two times the charm in this case, hehe.
I’ve not been to the Hoover Dam but I’ve visited other dams in the past and find the mechanics of them so fascinating. This one looks particularly impressive and I’ll have to visit it next time I’m in the area.
Author
It was definitely really interesting to learn more–I’ve never really visited any others yet! I hope you get a chance to check this one out sometime! :]
Oo cool, it’s incredible just how massive this is! I can image it seems even bigger when you’re there in person! They’re so interesting, I’ve visited a few in the UK and Europe!
Author
Cool! :O I’ve never been to any in Europe yet…there’s a lot over there that I’d like to explore someday!
Never been or considered to go, but love you photos! Might give it a go :D
Author
hehe, I usually opt for wilderness/places with little civilization but it was cool to actually go inside + to learn more!
I wouldn’t usually think of doing something like this but actually sounds pretty interesting. It’s nice to understand how things work.
Author
I wouldn’t have either if my friend hadn’t suggested it, but I’m glad we did! It was really cool to check out! :]