HOOVER DAM How to Get Here The Bureau of Reclamation started conducting tours through the Hoover Dam and Power Plant in 1937. More then 1,000,00 visitors a year take the tour and millions more drive across the dam. Hoover Dam is located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas on US Highway 93. From Las Vegas go southeast on I-515. I-515 turns into US-93, so just continue on until you reach the dam. A 400 passenger car parking garage is adjacent to the Visitor Center. The parking garage charges a $2.00 fee to park. Several Las Vegas based service providers offer tours which include Hoover Dam. Upon Arrival Parking and access to the Visitor Center is most convenient from the parking garage on the Nevada side of the dam. Oversized vehicles will need to use the parking lots on the Arizona side of the Dam. From the parking garage you will find both an escalator and elevator that will take you down to the Reception Lobby where you can purchase your tickets. This entrance fee entitles you to the use of all facilities and services. Moving past the cashiers you will enter the visitor lobby. Rest room facilities are to the left. Straight ahead is the entrance to the theater. A 36 minute multimedia presentation about water use, early exploration of this area, and the construction of the dam is shown throughout the day. At times, a 25 minute film on the construction of the dam will be substituted for the multimedia presentation in the theater. The story of the Marble and the survey conducted on the Colorado River in 1922 is shown on a monitor next to the rest rooms. At the far side of the visitor lobby, by the large windows, is the line for the guided tour of the dam and power plant.   The Regular Guided Tour The tour through the dam and power plant is 1/2 mile in distance and lasts for approximately 30 to 35 minutes. The tour is fully accessible and wheelchairs are available for use at the point where the tour begins. You start the tour by descending over 500 feet into the canyon wall and then walk through a tunnel into the power plant. Because of the enclosed areas the tour is not recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia. During the tour you will see several hydroelectric generators, each capable of producing 133,000 kilowatts. Due to the electromagnetic frequencies emitted by the generators the tour is not recommended for those with pacemakers or defibrillators. The tour includes a stop outside along the Colorado River affording an excellent view of the dam towering 560 feet above. You then enter into one of the 50 foot diameter diversion tunnels used to divert the river around the dam during its construction.   After the Regular Tour At the end of the tour you will exit the elevators at the Exhibit Gallery. The Exhibit Gallery features interactive multimedia presentations about the construction of the dam and the ecology of the desert southwest. Several sculptures, commissioned by the Bureau of Reclamation, can be seen outside on the Nevada side of the dam. An observation deck is located on the upper floor of this level accessible by stairs and elevator. Concession facilities are located outside on both the Nevada and Arizona side of the dam.     HOME GO BACK REFRESH