Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam)

Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam)

Hoover Dam is a concrete gravity-arch dam on the border between the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada.

The Bureau of Reclamation engineers calculated that if the dam were built in a single continuous pour, the concrete would have gotten so hot that it would have taken 125 years to cool to ambient temperatures.

Hoover Dam is a concrete gravity-arch dam on the border between the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada.

The dam is named after Herbert Hoover, who played an instrumental role in its construction, first as Secretary of Commerce and then later as President of the United States.

Lake Mead is the reservoir created behind the dam, named after Elwood Mead, who oversaw the construction of the dam.

Construction began in 1931 and was completed in 1935. The dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.

Location

Black Canyon of the Colorado River
48 km (30 miles) southeast of Las Vegas
Nevada, USA

Getting There

Hoover Dam (formerly known as Boulder Dam) is located on the border between Nevada and Arizona, about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas. There are several options for traveling to the Hoover Dam by public transportation:

RTC Transit: The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada offers bus service from the South Strip Transfer Terminal in Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes, and the fare is $3 per person each way.

Gray Line Tours: Gray Line offers guided tours to the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas that include transportation by air-conditioned motorcoach. The tour also includes a visit to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens. Prices vary depending on the tour package.

Private shuttle services: There are several private shuttle services that offer transportation to the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas. Prices vary depending on the service and the type of vehicle.

Rental car: Visitors can rent a car in Las Vegas and drive to the Hoover Dam. The drive takes about 45 minutes, and there is plenty of parking available at the dam.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Nevada that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.