While Las Vegas is typically associated with casinos, nightlife, and all things luxury, Las Vegas is also home to one of the greatest wonders of the United States– the Hoover Dam. Lucky for you, there are several Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas. Many of them include exclusive tours and stops at some amazing historical locations.
We have done all of the research for you and found the best Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas. Our overall winner is the Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch for its well-rounded history lesson and a wide variety of included experiences.
We have also named the best bus tour for those looking to go the traditional route, the best luxury tour for those wanting to keep the Las Vegas luxurious feel, and the best express tour for those short on time.
Best Las Vegas Hoover Dam Tour
Though every tour has something great to offer, we have picked out the best Las Vegas Hoover Dam Tours.
Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch – Our Overall Winner
The Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas wins our title of the best overall tour because of its multiple interesting stops allowing you to get the full history of the area and the included lunch. The Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch gets you to the Hoover Dam before the crowds arrive, giving you uninterrupted time to take in the sight. This 45-minute tour is fully guided by knowledgeable staff and includes a walk on the Hoover Dam itself, a Powerplant tour down the walls of the Black Canyon, and even lunch. On your way in and out, the VIP tour has bonus stops at the Las Vegas Welcome sign, the Hoover Dam Museum in Boulder City, and the Hoover Dam memorial bridge, making for excellent photo ops. What makes this tour really special is that it is one of the only ones from Las Vegas that allows you to trek over the Dam itself.
Hoover Dam Deluxe Tour with Lake Mead Cruise
The Hoover Dam Deluxe Tour is a day trip that offers exploration time at the Hoover Dam, where you’ll visit the visitor’s center, exhibits, the viewing platform, and a guided tour. You’ll also board the Desert Princes, a paddlewheel cruise on Lake Mead where you’ll have a picnic lunch and experience the country’s largest man-made lake. As a bonus, you’ll also get to stop at Ethel M’s chocolate factory and botanical gardens to reflect on all of the magnificent sights. And don’t worry, this tour also includes a stop at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign that is a must-have photo opportunity.
Personally-Guided Hoover Dam Expedition Tour
The Personally-Guided Hoover Dam Expedition Tour is a 6-hour tour that will take you through Boulder City and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the way to the Hoover Dam. At the Dam, you’ll get to take the Power Plant tour to see the Dam’s massive generators and enjoy a short movie about the history. The Personally-Guided Hoover Dam Expedition is limited to 10 people in a party and includes breakfast as well!
Best Hoover Dam Bus Tours From Las Vegas
Bus tours are the traditional method of sightseeing as you get transportation and a tour guide to point out all the history and sights along the way.
Hoover Dam Comedy Tour
The Hoover Dam Comedy Tour receives our Best Hoover Dam Bus Tour designation because it’s led by a professional comedian combining history and the fun of Vegas all in one. The Hoover Dam Comedy Tour departs from select hotels in Vegas and takes you by bus first to the Las Vegas Welcome Sign for a classic photo opportunity. Then you’ll arrive at the Hoover Dam, where your comedian guide will give you the full history, and you’ll get to do the Hoover Dam Power Plant tour, which takes you into the walls of Black Canyon to look at one of the massive generators and water pipes. After, you’ll get a comprehensive walking tour over the top of the Dam. The bus will also stop at the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge for some sensational views of the Dam from above on its way to the final stop in Boulder City. In Boulder City, you’ll enjoy the included lunch before heading back to Las Vegas. On your way back, your comedian tour guide will tell you about Vegas’ interesting past to get you excited for the rest of your trip.
Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop
There are many bus tours to choose from, but the Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop offers an entire day trip filled with history led by an experienced tour guide. This bus tour lasts about ten hours and includes two hot meals and stops at the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West Rim, Grand Canyon Skywalk, and Guano Point. This bus tour truly is an adventure all day. You’ll get to see an ancient forest, the home of the Hualapai Indians, Eagle Point, Hualapai Ranch, an old Western town, views of the Colorado River, and of course, the Hoover Dam. This bus tour has VIP bus access to the Canyon, which is an exclusive benefit to choosing this tour.
Best Cheap Hoover Dam Tour
Even on a budget, you can still tour the Hoover Dam in style.
Hoover Dam Experience from Las Vegas
The Hoover Dam Experience from Las Vegas is our winner for the best cheap Hoover Dam tour because it is a budget-friendly tour that includes transportation and extensive exploration of the Hoover Dam. The 6.5-hour tour picks up from most Vegas hotels and takes you on a tour that takes you through Boulder City, the historic town of the Hoover Dam workers, and passes by Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the country. The scenic drive stops briefly over the top of the Hoover Dam at the Arizona Lookout for a photo opportunity and then makes its way to the Hoover Dam Visitors Center, where you’ll join the two-hour Powerplant Tour to learn about the inner workings of the Dam and its history. Afterward, there is some free time to explore, shop, and eat. On the way back to Vegas, the tour stops at the Bypass Bridge above the Colorado River for more photos and time to purchase a souvenir or food at the Dam restaurant.
Hoover Dam’s Best Highlights Tour from Las Vegas
The Hoover Dam’s Best Highlight Tour from Las Vegas begins at their departure location and takes you first to the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge for a photo stop at the highest viewpoint (on the Arizona side) overlooking the Hoover Dam. The tour goes on to stop at the Hoover Dam itself, where you can walk across it, explore, and take more gorgeous photos. On the way back, the tour stops at the historic Boulder City, a still-functioning town where the workers of the Hoover Dam lived in the 1930s. The tour ends at the original departure location and is a wonderful discovery tour.
Luxury Hoover Dam Tours from Vegas
When you visit Las Vegas, luxury is always on the mind, especially while on the Strip. However, you can experience that same luxury while sightseeing as well.
Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour
Feel the luxury of Vegas and take in one of America’s greatest engineering feats from the sky. We have named the Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter tour the best luxury Hoover Dam tour. The Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour picks you up from your hotel, where you are taken to the heli-pad and loaded up for a luxury tour of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Grand Canyon, and the Las Vegas Strip. Take in the aerial views on your way to a private bluff situated 3,000 feet below the canyon rim, 300 feet above the Colorado River, where you’ll enjoy snacks and a champagne toast in a traditional Native American ramada shelter. This is an opportunity to chat with the pilot and soak in breathtaking views. The tour offers a pre-recorded commentary about the history of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. This tour makes you feel like a VIP for four hours while you get to enjoy endless photo opportunities.
Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour
After picking you up from your hotel in a luxury van, the Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour will take you to the airport in Boulder City for takeoff. Once you take to the skies, you’ll get an aerial view from different angles of the Hoover Dam and Bypass Bridge; then you’ll fly past Fortification Hill which is a colorful, extinct volcano. Your aerial tour will continue over the stunning Lake Mead and to the Grand Canyon. Once you reach the Grand Canyon, you’ll descend into the canyon itself and soar just above the Colorado River past the rock formations that are millions of years old. On your way back to the Boulder City airport, you’ll also see the Mojave Desert. During your entire 70 minute flight, your pilot doubles as a tour guide, providing entertaining and informative commentary.
Express Hoover Dam Tours from Las Vegas
If you are looking for something to do between check out and your late flight, going on an express Hoover Dam tour is a great option to get in some last-minute sightseeing. Or, if you don’t want to spend the whole day away from the action of the Strip, express tours of the Hoover Dam are the way to go.
Small-Group 3 Hour Hoover Dam Mini Tour
The Small Group 3-Hour Hoover Dam Mini Tour is our pick for an express Hoover Dam tour. It picks you up from the Strip and takes you to see the Hoover dam, Colorado River, and Lake Mead from various angles while keeping in mind your short time frame. The tour will take your through Boulder City, a town built for the workers of the Hoover Dam, to Hemenway Park, where you can hangout with Desert BigHorn Sheep, to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area for panoramic views and a quick history lesson of Lake Mead, to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge where you can walk up the bridge, over 1,000 feet above the Dam, and then finally to the top of the Hoover Dam for photo opportunities and some interesting facts. This is the best Hoover Dam express tour if you have to catch a flight or want to head back to the casinos.
Private Deluxe Petit Tour of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead & Historic Boulder City
The Private Deluxe Petit Tour is a three-hour journey that will pick you up and take you first to the Hoover Dam Bypass bridge to see the Hoover Dam from above and take pictures. Then it makes its way to the Hoover Dam Visitors Center, where you can learn about the history, explore, shop, and dine. The next stop on tour is to the Lakeview Overlook, where you can take in the beauty of Lake Mead. On the way back to Vegas, the tour stops at Hemenway Park near historic Boulder City, where you can check out the charming shops and spot native Bighorn Sheep. This tour is not only conscious of time but also is private, only allowing up to six people in your party. No strangers with you on this one!
Please note: The Black Canyon Power Plant tour offered on many of these excursions is currently unavailable due to COVID-19.
Hoover Dam Tour Buyer’s Guide
When choosing a tour, there are a few details to consider to ensure you select the best one for you.
Express vs. All-day Tour
When it comes to Hoover Dam tours, there are typically two categories– those that take all day and those that are considered express tours. Express tours are often under four hours. There are benefits to both.
All-day tours can give more in-depth history, longer times for you to explore, and frequently have stops in other scenic areas. Express tours are conscious of time while still getting to take in a brief history of the Hoover Dam. Which is better for you is going to depend on how much time you have, your interest level, and how much you want to see while you are in Vegas.
Level of Activity
The level of activity is another factor to consider before making a decision. Some tours require a lot of walking, for instance, and that isn’t easy for everyone. Consider how much activity you will be expected to do and make sure you are comfortable with that before choosing.
Aerial vs. Ground View
Aerial tours and traditional bus or small group tours offer different views of the Dam. If you want to see it from above to really take in how massive it is, an aerial experience could be for you. Whereas if you want to walk on the Dam itself, ground tours are the way to go. Contemplate what view you want before making a selection.
Other Points of Interest
Many of the tours above stop at other points of interest along the way, but some of them only go to the Dam and back. If seeing other stops are important to you, be sure that it is included before choosing a tour.
FAQs
Bottom Line
All tours provide different opportunities to see one of the greatest feats in U.S. history. However, our clear overall winner is the Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch due to its comprehensive stops and its ability to get you to the Dam before the crowds arrive.
If budget is your main concern, our top cheap choice is the Hoover Dam Experience from Las Vegas since it is both affordable and rich with details of the past. Since budget isn’t always a concern, we have also crowned the Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour as the best luxury experience.
To cover all bases, we have also named our best express pick and best bus tour: the Small-Group 3 Hour Hoover Dam Mini Tour and the Hoover Dam Comedy Tour, respectively.
No matter which you choose, seeing the Hoover Dam is sure to be a highlight of your Vegas vacation.