Visiting Hoover Dam from Las Vegas
The dam sits on the Colorado River at Black Canyon, on the border of Nevada and Arizona. The drive from Las Vegas takes about 40 to 45 minutes. That is an approximate figure for the drive alone, not a tour package with pickup and a guide.
You can look at the dam for free from the public areas, or pay for the Visitor Center and a tour inside. Which tour you choose decides the price, the length of the visit and who can join.
Prices and booking in 2026
Prices as updated on 29 July 2026.
| Option | Price | Booking and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | $15, children up to 3 free | Add-ons possible on site |
| Power Plant Tour | Adults $25, ages 4 to 16 $15, children up to 3 free | Bookable online; wheelchair accessible |
| Dam Tour | $40, children up to 3 free | On site only, for the whole group, after you arrive; no strollers or motorized wheelchairs |
A bus package does not automatically include the guided Dam Tour, so check what your booking covers. Short-notice tour cancellations are possible, and national park passes are not valid at the dam.
Our picks: Hoover Dam tours
A power plant tour with lunch, a small-group mini tour and a Grand Canyon West day with a dam photo stop.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Grand Canyon West Rim and Hoover Dam by bus
A 10-hour day by air-conditioned coach to the West Rim, with Grand Canyon West entry, a Hoover Dam photo stop, breakfast and a BBQ lunch. The Skywalk and the free zipline come only with the Skywalk option.
Check availability →
Hoover Dam small-group mini tour
3 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle from selected Strip hotels, with dam entry, a guide and water. Downtown hotel pickup and tips are extra.
Check availability →Hoover Dam tour with power plant and lunch
5.5 hours with hotel transfer, dam entry, a guided power plant tour, a walk on the dam crest and a restaurant lunch. A comedy club ticket is included too.
Check availability →Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas
Day trips, small-group tours and combinations with other stops, with live prices and availability.
Hours, parking and rules
The practical details for the day.
Hours
The dam is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Visitor Center and tours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Doors close at 4:15 p.m., and the last tour starts at 4:10 p.m. Times are given in Pacific Standard Time.
Parking
The Nevada garage costs $10. In Arizona, Lot 9 costs $10, and Lots 13 and 14 are free. Use your own car or take a coach, but build the parking and the walk into your time.
Access
Vehicles can be inspected on the approach. You may not stop or get out on the dam crest. Weapons, drones and marijuana are banned. Pets are not allowed on the crest or inside buildings, except trained service animals, and animals must never be left alone in a car.
Time to plan
The last tour starts shortly before the Visitor Center closes. If you want the Dam Tour, arrive earlier in the day, since it is bought on site after you arrive.
Which option fits your group
Match the tour to who is coming and how much time you have.
Short on time
You can see the dam from the public areas between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. without paying for a tour. The Visitor Center at $15 is the simplest paid option if you only have an hour or two.
Families
Children up to 3 are free on all three options. On the Power Plant Tour, ages 4 to 16 pay $15. The Dam Tour has a single price of $40, so a family should add up the full group before deciding.
Wheelchairs and strollers
The Power Plant Tour is wheelchair accessible. The Dam Tour does not allow strollers or motorized wheelchairs, so choose the Power Plant Tour if either is part of your group.
Large groups
The Dam Tour is bought on site for the whole group at once, after you arrive. Everyone needs to be present, so keep the group together at the Visitor Center.
If you book a coach tour, ask what the booking includes. A bus package does not automatically cover the guided Dam Tour or the Power Plant Tour.
A simple plan for the day
Built around the opening hours.
The Visitor Center and tours open at 9 a.m., so an early start gives you the most room. Park first, then go to the Visitor Center. If you want the Dam Tour, buy it right after you arrive, because it is sold on site only. The last tour starts at 4:10 p.m. and the doors close at 4:15 p.m., so do not leave a tour until the end of the afternoon. After your visit, you can still look at the dam from the public areas until 9 p.m.
Combine it with another trip
The dam fits half a day or a full day.
The dam works as a stand-alone trip or as one stop on a longer day out of the city. The Grand Canyon is a different, much longer excursion, and the Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas guide helps you compare how far each option goes. Summers are hot, so bring water and plan any outdoor time for the cooler hours.
Hoover Dam from Las Vegas: frequently asked questions
How far is Hoover Dam from Las Vegas?
The drive takes about 40 to 45 minutes. This is an approximate drive time without pickup, queues or a tour.
How much does a Hoover Dam tour cost?
In 2026 the Visitor Center costs $15, the Power Plant Tour costs $25 for adults and $15 for ages 4 to 16, and the Dam Tour costs $40. Children up to 3 are free.
Do I need to book the tour in advance?
The Power Plant Tour can be booked online. The Dam Tour is sold only on site after you arrive, for the whole group at once.
Can I stop on the dam?
The dam is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., but you may not stop or get out on the dam crest. Tours and the Visitor Center have their own hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is the parking cost?
The Nevada garage costs $10, Lot 9 on the Arizona side costs $10, and Lots 13 and 14 are free.