Hoover Dam is the biggest reservoir in the United States and a feat of engineering. It is also one of the biggest tourist destinations in America. It spans the Colorado River and Lake Mead, and two states (Nevada and Arizona.) It’s only about 25 miles east of Las Vegas, so people from all over the world who are flying into the city for gaming and entertainment also choose this day-trip, whether by renting their own car or taking one of the many tour buses that offer transportation.
With Shaka Guide, you get to navigate through so much more than a tour bus would, and on your own time frame, by making your own choices. And what others may not tell you is that there is so much more to see than ‘just’ Hoover Dam. In fact, although everyone can see Lake Mead from the rim of Hoover Dam, many don’t realize all that the Lake Mead National Recreation Area has to offer. And still others don’t know much about Boulder City, either. (It’s the town that Hoover Dam calls home. And the historic downtown district has a lot to offer.)
This Shaka Guide tour gives you options for a little bit of everything: A few iconic spots in the city of Las Vegas along at the beginning and the end of this tour, some things to do in Boulder City, Hoover Dam itself, along with the incredible bridge that towers over it, and then some awesome scenic driving, overlooks, and hikes at Lake Mead. On the way back to Las Vegas, you’ll be treated to a special Shaka Guide route through the Mojave Desert, complete with lava-capped mountains and so much more to feast your eyes upon.
If you were just driving straight through today’s tour route, you could do the whole thing in under two hours. However, you’re here to explore and experience, right? With 14 stops on this tour and 27 points of narration, you’re more likely to need a full eight hours to enjoy all of the activities and points of interest that Shaka Guide will suggest.
Itinerary
1. The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign
Photo by Lizzie Gerecitano
Approximate time: 10 minutes
The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas'' sign is pretty cool to pose in front of for a photo. This stop is so popular that it's even got its own dedicated, free parking lot smack in the median of the Las Vegas Strip! Bus loads of tourists stop to see the sign and line up for a photo with it, and, from what I hear, if you get there during popular daytime hours, there are hawkers trying to charge you for a photo. But if you decide to start this Shaka Guide tour at daybreak, you not only have the sign to yourself for a photo, but you get a beautiful sunrise silhouette of the private jets across the street that the celebrities use to fly in and out of Vegas. In any case, since it’s a free parking lot, it doesn’t hurt to pull in no matter what time you start your day, just to see if there’s an open space. You could always stand off to the side and take your own selfie without choosing to wait in a line to get up close for a photo.
2. The Boulder City-Hoover Dam Museum
Approximate time: 45 minutes
The Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum is free and open to the public seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 365 days a year. This is a very special little museum, in the heart of where the construction workers who built Hoover Dam lived. This museum tells the true story of those who braved the desolate Mojave Desert to create a settlement for their families during the years that they were building the dam, since they surely couldn’t ‘commute’ every day from far away places. This incredible museum is three-dimensional, with interactive displays and exhibits. There are amazing photos, artifacts, and even sound effects! It is such a worthwhile stop on the way to Hoover Dam that it really gives you the option of skipping the exhibits that you’d have to pay for at the crowded dam site itself. They’re both good exhibits, but it’s good to know that the free exhibit really covers everything. It’s located inside the Boulder Dam Hotel. There is free parking in the plaza next to this pretty little hotel, then just walk inside and past the lobby, straight back to the museum!
3. Hemenway Park
Approximate time: 15 minutes
This park is something you’d picture in a watercolor painting. Because when you pull up and get out of your car, step foot in the lush, green grass and look out in the distance, you get the most glorious first view of the Black Mountains and Lake Mead in the background. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see Bighorn Sheep grazing and hummingbirds buzzing by. It’s so beautiful that it’s worth a stop on the way to the dam. (Some say the bighorn sheep are most likely to be there in the late-afternoon/early evening, but ya never know!)
4. Hoover Dam Lookout
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Driving across Hoover Dam to the Arizona side, this is a worthwhile first look at the entirety of the dam before parking your car. Since there isn’t a view of the entire dam site from the Nevada side, it takes only a couple of minutes longer to drive across the dam to this overlook for the view and some fabulous photos. Plus, it will give you an idea of where all the free parking lots are so that you can eyeball what the walk would be like should you forgo the paid parking lots in favor of a free lot and a little walk to the dam.
5. Hoover Dam
Approximate time: 2 hours
It is difficult to estimate how much time you will spend here since there are so many variables. It is a very personalized experience and without knowing what you wish to do on this visit, I can’t predict how much time you’ll be here. You could spend many hours, or you could see the whole thing in under an hour. If you want to experience the rest of the Shaka Guide tour stops in one day, then you might just choose to park and walk around Hoover Dam without spending extra time and money on the exhibits and the guided tours. It gets very crowded here, and the cafe/grill at the dam could really sap precious time from your day.
6. The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Photo by Lizzie Gerecitano
Approximate time: 45 minutes
This is what I would call ‘an experience!’ It is exhilarating and, truth be told, possibly a little scary to do anything that high up, but it is safe enough and the parking lot to walk across this bridge is almost up as high as the bridge itself, so you’re not climbing up high to get there. Through a series of switchback walking ramps, with photo displays of the bridge being built, you get to the top in very little time. Then, when you walk out onto the pedestrian walkway of the bridge, you’ll be rewarded with the most jaw-dropping, literal birds-eye view of Hoover Dam. The question is, are you brave enough to whip out your phone for a photo, or are you hanging onto the railing for dear life? You’re almost 900 feet above the Colorado River, with 18-wheelers flying by and usually a gusty breeze, so I wouldn’t necessarily call it ‘peaceful’ up there, but – that view!!! This stop is totally free – no charge for parking or for walking across the bridge.
7. Lake Mead Lakeview Overlook
Approximate time: 10 minutes
This is a quick stop. Look for the “Lakeview Overlook'' sign. It gives you yet another stellar view of Lake Mead – this time close up, and with the marina and boats. If you look to your left from there, you’ll see the opening to the last of the historic railroad tunnels (we’ll be heading to that trail next.)
8. Lake Mead Visitor Center and Park Store
Approximate time: 20 minutes
This is a really pretty place and a nice stop. First of all, there are restrooms, which is always a plus. Inside, there is a really great exhibit about Lake Mead, a wonderful gift shop with native-made crafts for purchase, and a staff of volunteers and park rangers that will deputize your kids as Junior Rangers, hand you maps and recommend trails based on your levels and the weather, and answer any other questions you may have. Be sure to ask for maps, directions and advice for the Owl Canyon and the Northshore Summit hikes if you’re considering taking these trails. Better to have them in your car in case you need them, than try to find the trailheads on your own later. Most importantly, the volunteers can also point you in the direction of the trailhead for the HIstoric Railroad Trail, because that’s the trail most worth taking, and it’s an easy one.
9. Historic Railroad Trail
Approximate time: 1 ½ hours
This hike begins from the Lake Mead Visitor Center’s parking lot or the very next parking lot past the Visitor Center. If the weather is good, and you can hike a flat surface, I highly recommend at least going as far as the first couple of tunnels. Walking through these tunnels is an unusual experience, and the scenery along the way is drop-dead gorgeous, with a view of Lake Mead. You’re not at ground level, though, so make sure you remain on the path! And bring water and sunscreen. There is no shade, unless you’re inside the tunnels, where it’s markedly cooler.
10. Boulder Beach
Photo by Lizzie Gerecitano
Approximate time: 20 minutes
After all of those views from afar of Lake Mead, it’s about time we get to actually see the lake up close! It’s a rocky shoreline and beach, though, so watch your step. Maybe you’ll want to collect a few pretty little shells as souvenirs. Considering that the life of Lake Mead is a big question mark due to so many years of drought conditions, you may one day be telling others that you actually got to dip your toes in it…while it still existed. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but still, it’s worth a stop.
11. Sunset View Scenic Overlook
Approximate time: 10 minutes
As we meander Lakeshore Road and take in the beauty of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, head up to Sunset Overlook and just take it all in – the view of the lake and mountains that surround you are astounding.
12. 33-Hole Overlook and Owl Canyon
Approximate time: 15 minutes (the optional Owl Canyon hike would take longer)
Even if you’re not a hiker that wants to scramble down rocks for the chance to see owls in a slot canyon, the road leading to this overlook splits three ways and it’s nice to see the desert from the Owl Canyon viewpoint, and the mountains and lake from the 33-Hole viewpoint. Plus, there are picnic tables here if you brought food and want to eat with amazing views surrounding you. See our hiking guide for details on the Owl Canyon Trail.
13. Northshore Road
Approximate time: (optional and variable)
You are only on this road for a couple of minutes and then you’ll be making a left onto Rt. 147/East Lake Mead Blvd. for a beautiful scenic drive back to Las Vegas. That said, Northshore Road is arguably one of the prettiest scenic drives in all of America. It’s got views of lava-capped mountains, vivid red rock, hiking (16 miles from here is the Northshore Summit Trail), and, if you take it far enough, you’ll end up near either the St. Thomas Ghost Town to your right, or Valley of Fire State Park on your left. (Those places are both about an hour past the intersection of East Lake Mead Blvd., where we turn for Las Vegas).
As nice as it would be to drive all the way up the scenic Northshore Road, if you don’t have enough gas in your tank or food and snacks with you, you better not chance it. There is no place to get food, and only one place to get gas – Echo Bay – about 28 miles from here. Plus, once you got up there, you’d probably want a few more hours to explore. So it’s best left for another day so that you can start the day prepared with a full tank of gas and a supply of food and snacks. That said, there’s no harm in driving a few miles up the road and back if you want a glimpse of it.
So, to stick with the Shaka Guide tour, you’ll be turning left on East Lake Mead Blvd., and this is an amazing route back to Vegas (sure beats the highways you came in on.) But should you choose to drive some of Northshore Road, be sure and come back to the turnoff for Rt. 147/East Lake Mead Blvd to head west back to Las Vegas with the rest of the Shaka Guide tour narration, because there are more stories to tell, and more things to do once we reach Vegas!
14. A Little White Wedding Chapel
Photo by Lizzie Gerecitano
Approximate time: 15 minutes
This is just a fun, kitschy thing to do,“when in Vegas.” It’s something that will actually have you chuckling and is sure to put a smile on your face. This is an iconic Las Vegas wedding chapel, after all, featured in so many movies and TV shows, and so many celebrities (ahem, Jlo and Ben Affleck - not to name drop) have gotten hitched here. From the adorable chapel inside to the drive-in wedding tunnel (!!) you may wonder why the heck you’re stopping here, but then you’ll be thanking me later that you did – just because of the sheer fun of it! Go ahead, try the front doors. If they’re open, you can walk right in for a glimpse!
15. The Strat Observation Tower
Approximate time: 45 minutes (or as long here as you like since it’s our last tour stop.)
First of all, there’s free parking, a rarity in Las Vegas. The Strat Observation Tower has been voted "Best Place to View the City" year after year. At the tippy-top, The Strat (aka Stratosphere) is 1,149-feet-tall with expansive, 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip and valley from both indoor and outdoor observation decks. Level 112 is your official 'selfie spot' – the highest spot in Vegas for viewing the city (at 909 feet). Level 109 is the outdoor observation deck (at 866 feet). Level 108 is the indoor observation deck (at 855 feet). Tickets for the SkyPod Observation Deck Experience – just for the observation decks (without any of the rides) – are $20 per person*** and include both the indoor and outdoor observation decks. And there are viewfinders on the outdoor deck to zoom in on the city. You can get your tickets in advance online. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. - 1 a.m. daily. Although The Strat has a free, self-park parking garage, you can pay if you want to park in one of the closer, more convenient "plus" spots, like on Level 3 which has the pedestrian walkway into the casino. From Las Vegas Boulevard, turn onto W. Bob Stupak Ave. for the Self-Park Parking Garage. In addition to the observation decks, there are thrill rides, shopping, and dining options up there. (And, of course, gaming and alcoholic beverages for those 21+) **Prices are subject to change.
And, hey…that’s all folks! But Vegas is open most of the night, so be sure and check out our Highlights for lots of other things you can do if you’re still pumped for Vegas activities!
And if you happen to have allotted two days to explore this area, I will offer you my personal opinion, as your tour researcher and writer, for the best way to spread this tour out over two days.
So, if you're ready to experience all this, be sure to take our Hoover Dam & Lake Mead tour!