The Hoover Dam Is a Remarkable Modern Marvel Outside Las Vegas
The city of Las Vegas is known for having a lack of moderation and being a fun-filled destination full of wonder, joy, and buffoonery as far as one can imagine. The city lights and the continuous bombardment of entertainment can encapsulate a visitor into the pleasantries the Las Vegas Strip has to offer quickly making you forget that there is a desert around you to explore.
Nearby you can find Red Rock National Conservation Area and one of America’s most famous landmarks, The Hoover Dam. This modern marvel is an engineering wonder and is only 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas and it is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River at the Nevada-Arizona border.
ABOUT THE HOOVER DAM
Construction of The Hoover Dam began in 1931 and it was not an easy project for the engineers and especially the labor force creating it. The “Boulder Dam” project, which it was called at the time, started during the Great Depression and it attracted over 21,000 men who were seeking employment from all around the United States. This influx of people led to the creation of the town Boulder City.
The conditions these workers had to put up with were very extreme and dangerous. As you might be aware, the temperatures during the Summer can easily average over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The project claimed the lives of 96 men.
The height of the Hoover Dam is 726 ft (221 meters), comparable to a 60-story building, and it was the tallest dam at the time of its completion in 1935. The mammoth structure used a total of 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete plus an additional 1,100,000 cubic yards of concrete to build the power plant structure and other buildings. The dam had to be huge and be able to withstand the largest man-made lake in the United States, Lake Mead.
The dam was officially named The Hoover Dam in 1947 after President Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States, who was a business man and engineer. Today The Hoover Dam is a testament of America’s ingenuity.
GETTING TO THE HOOVER DAM
Getting to The Hoover Dam from the Vegas strip is easy. Drive east on Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue to I-515 and head South, which automatically turns into US Highway I-11 South. Continue on I-11 South towards Kingman and take Exit 2 US-93 BUS towards Boulder City/Hoover Dam. At the traffic circle take the third exit and continue under the over pass and take a right on Hoover Dam Access Rd. You will then arrive to a security checkpoint.
THINGS TO DO AT THE HOOVER DAM
I highly recommend visiting The Hoover Dam while visiting Las Vegas. Plan to put aside half-a-day or a full-day to make the best of this visit. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to see. Depending on how much time you have, these are some highlights of the trip.
The Hoover Dam Bridge View
As you pass the checkpoint towards The Hoover Dam you will notice a parking lot with accessible ramp and stairs at the end of it. As you make your way to the top there is a nice exhibit explaining the construction and design of the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
As you make your way passed the exhibits you will quickly find yourself next to highway I-11, which runs through the bridge. The fast moving traffic can be intimidating as you make your way towards the center of the bridge, but once you arrive there, you will find yourself standing 890 feet (270 meters) above the Colorado River with a spectacular view of the Hoover Dam.
As you walk back don’t forget to take a picture with the ‘Welcome To Nevada’ Sign.
Exit the parking lot and continue towards the Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam Parking
There are few places to park when you arrive. Immediately you will find on the left a 459-space parking garage that is across from the Visitors Center. A parking fee of $10.00 can be paid as you enter.
If you happen to have oversized vehicles, RVs, or trailer you will find and open parking lot on the Arizona side of the dam. This fee is also $10.00. You can find additional free parking on the Arizona side further up the road if you don’t mind walking back to Nevada.
Walk Across the Dam
Depending on where you park, start making your way to The Hoover Dam. The top of the dam is a two-way road with plenty sidewalk space on either side.
On one side you can see towards the reservoir that is known as Lake Mead and on the other you can see the Colorado River and the power plants that generate electricity.
As you continue your way through the top of the dam you will notice two large wing statues and a 142-foot flagpole.
Wing Figures of the Republic
Right outside the Visitors Center and passed the parking garage you will see two muscular guardian angels protecting a flag pole. This is the art work of Oskar J.W. Hansen, a Norwegian immigrant.
These angels were the largest single-cast bronze statues at the time in the world when they were dedicated in 1935. Made with about 4 tons of bronze, the angel’s wings are about 30 feet tall. They rest on polished jet-black diorite stone that also upholds the the tall flagpole.
The terrazzo floor around the winged figures demonstrates the Hansen’s own Art Deco style along with a star map of the Nevada Sky of how the sky stood when The Hoover Dam was inaugurated.
After enjoying the giants don’t forget to rub the feet for good luck. You might be needing it at the craps table in Vegas later that night. Walk over to the Visitors Center and enjoy some shopping for souvenirs, food, and drinks.
The Scaler at The Hoover Dam
By the souvenir shop looking towards the Mike O’Callaghan – Matt Tillman Memorial Bridge, you will notice another bronze statue. At the time of construction newsreels of workers scaling the Black Canyon’s walls ignited interest to the public. Scaling is the process of removing loose rock from a cliff face. The high-scalers dangled from ropes, using jackhammers to drill holes for dynamite. After the explosives were discharged they would come back down to clear any loose rocks.
The Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression and became a symbol of hope to the struggling nation. The images and newsreel of the workers emboldened tourists to come The Hoover Dam way before it was even finished. Construction workers had to build a platform for these unwanted guests to prevent them from coming into the construction site.
Hoover Dam Tour
There are Dam tours that includes a 10-minute movie on the history of The Hoover Dam, an hour guided tour, the Nevada Wing of the Powerplant, with a stop at the original inspection tunnel inside the dam. The Tour Dam admission is $30.00.
There is also another part of the tour that includes the Nevada Wing of the Powerplant. See below for admission prices.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (Ages 17 – 61) | $15.00 |
| Seniors (62+) | $12.00 |
| Juniors (ages 4 – 16) | $12.00 |
| U.S. Military (with ID) | $12.00 |
| U.S. Military in Uniform | Free |
| Children (ages 0 – 3) | Free |
Lake Meade Overlook
After your trip to The Hoover Dam, on your way back to Las Vegas, I recommend stopping at the Lake Mead Overlook point.
Here you can witness the largest man-made lake in the United States, Lake Mead. There are informative markers at this point that are worth reading. Lake Mead became the nations first Nations Recreation Area in 1965.
Lake Mead is a very popular spot for hiking, boating, and many other types of recreational activities. If you happen to have time during your trip. This could be another stop on your itinerary.
CONCLUSION
The lavish casino life, the over-the-top extravagant shows, the endless bars make Las Vegas a premier party destination. Las Vegas might be known as Sin City, but outside of the city limits it has unique landscapes and landmarks, like the Grand Canyon Valley of Fire, and the remarkable Hoover Dam.
Would you explore outside of Las Vegas if you came to Sin City? If so, what you like to do? Or would you just party all night long? Leave a message or comment below and I will respond as soon as possible.
Ame
I do not know why power plants attract me so much, they are beautiful, practical, they mix nature with the wisdom of man. I would definitely love to see the sunset over the lake.Great post as always.
Jessie Torres
Thanks again for finding my blog useful. Powerplant are very interesting. Their architecture can be also beautiful. Would you find yourself visiting The Hoover Dam if you were in Las Vegas?