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Lake Mead Visitor Center

Lake Mead Visitor Center: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam Highlights Tour

1. From Las Vegas: Hoover Dam Highlights Tour

Experience the top highlights of Hoover Dam on a half-day tour that is perfect for those who want to enjoy views overlooking Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the historic Boulder City. Depart from the Las Vegas Strip aboard a luxury motorcoach for a quick ride to Boulder City, home of the workers who built the Hoover Dam. The stop at this charming town includes a free visit to the Hoover Dam Museum, cafes, antique shops and a unique art walk featuring beautiful, bronze statues. Get stunning views of this "Man-Made Wonder of the World" from the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which gives an aerial view from 900 feet above the Colorado River and Black Canyon.  

Las Vegas: Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Half-Day Tour

2. Las Vegas: Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Half-Day Tour

Take a short trip away from the Las Vegas strip (pickup starts from 7 AM) to Boulder City, home to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Travel in comfort and style in an air-conditioned vehicle as you make your way to your destination. When you arrive at the Hoover Dam, you will be guided to the Visitor Center. Here you will have time to learn about the historical significance of the Hoover Dam. Travel back in time to the 1930s and discover the technology and labor force that went into the construction of the Hoover Dam, dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. See exhibits, models, and photo displays sure to provide you with an in-depth overview of this man-made marvel. Take sight of this famous structure and snap photos of what was once the tallest dam in the world. You'll also be able to enjoy views of the glimmering waters of Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States. This half-day guided tour is a perfect way to get a dose of history and sightseeing. Arrive safely back at your hotel at approximately 12:30 PM.

Lake Mead & Valley of Fire State Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

3. Lake Mead & Valley of Fire State Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 74-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Lake Mead in 3-4 hours. Once downloaded, the journey begins at the Lake Mead Visitor Center. From there, you’ll pass the Lake Mead Marina, a vibrant hub of recreational activities. As you drive on, take in the array of colored rocks along the cliffs! You’ll learn about the area’s fascinating geologic history which encompasses billions of years. Then delve into the Colorado River Tribes and find out how they survived in such a harsh climate. You’ll even pass the hot springs which ancient Paleo-Indians found therapeutic and sacred! Discover tales of lawlessness and murder which played out during the region’s Wild West days, then continue on to the Wetlands Trail, packed with diverse wildlife. Stop by the Northshore Road Overlook for majestic views, then hear the fascinating story of explorer John Wesley Powell. You’ll also hear about steamboats and how they served as a vital form of transportation until the railroads came to the area. Plus, find out about Elwood Mead and why this famous lake bears his name. Discover the geological wonder of the Hamblin-Cleopatra Volcano and the drowned archaeological marvel of the Lost City. Then hear about the devastating MegaDrought and the ongoing fight over Lake Mead’s water. Next, head into Valley of Fire State Park, home to blazing rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, unforgettable hiking trails, and some proper Wild West history. Your tour concludes here.

Nevada: A Comprehensive Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle

4. Nevada: A Comprehensive Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle

This bundle contains three tours: Vegas to the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Red Rock Canyon. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 74-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Lake Mead in 3-4 hours. Your journey to the Hoover Dam begins on the Las Vegas Strip. Driving through the Las Vegas Valley, uncover the city's wild beginnings, from its inception as a modest railway town to an early gambling hub. Learn how the Hoover Dam helped Las Vegas survive! View the Colorado River and relive the fights to contain its power. Pass through Boulder City, established specifically for the Hoover Dam construction, and find out about the brutal conditions its workers endured. Stop by Lake Mead Viewpoint for wondrous views of the lake born from the Hoover Dam. If you like, you can walk the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail, along a long defunct railroad line. Move onto the Lakeview Overlook, another great vantage point that highlights Lake Mead's grandeur. Then pause at the Boulder Dam Bridge Overlook for an awe-inspiring view of the Hoover Dam. Finally, drive across the dam or stop and walk along the impressive rim! Your tour ends at the Hoover Dam Lookout on the dam’s far side. For Lake Mead, your tour begins at the visitor center. You’ll get tales of geological history, while observing colorful rock formations. Learn how Native tribes used the river for survival and pass the hot springs which Paleo-Indians believed sacred. Learn about John Wesley Powell, Elwood Mead, and other essential figures in the region’s history as you drive. Step back in time and feel the devastating impacts of the Imperial Valley Disaster, then hear about a different kind of disaster as you behold the Hamblin-Cleopatra Volcano. Hear about the diverse animals which thrive in this harsh climate, such as mountain lions and Gila Monsters, then drive to the famous Valley of Fire State Park, where your tour will conclude. In Red Rock Canyon, start at the visitor center. From there, you’ll delve into Red Rock’s unique sandstone formations, like the amazing Calico Hills. Hear about fights between conservation and development in the area as you drive, then visit petroglyphs and pictographs over 800 years old! Pass the Ice Box Canyon trail, where narrow canyon walls block out the sun! Learn about the canyon’s famed fossils, including one thought to be the oldest land animal ever found in Nevada! The tour ends at the panoramic Red Rock Canyon Overlook. This is the perfect bundle to enhance any trip to the southwest!

Hoover Dam & Lake Mead: Audio Guide Tour Bundle, Nevada

5. Hoover Dam & Lake Mead: Audio Guide Tour Bundle, Nevada

This bundle contains two tours: Vegas to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 30+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Hoover Dam in 3-5 hours. Once downloaded, your journey to the colossal Hoover Dam begins on the Las Vegas Strip. As you drive through the Las Vegas Valley, delve into the city's wild beginnings, from its inception as a modest railway town to its early years as a bustling gambling hub. Hear how the Hoover Dam helped the struggling city survive. Behold the mighty Colorado River and follow the struggles to channel its raging power. Then, meet the figures behind the Hoover Dam project, including the imposing Frank "Hurry Up" Crowe and the consortium called the Six Companies. The next stop is Boulder City, a federally-funded city, established for the Hoover Dam construction. Hear about the rugged and harsh conditions in which its workers lived. The Lake Mead Viewpoint, next, offers captivating views of the man-made lake born from the Hoover Dam. If you wish, you can take a hike on the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail that follows an old railroad route. Proceed to the Lakeview Overlook, another magnificent vantage point to appreciate Lake Mead's grandeur. As the dam draws near, opt for a stop at the Boulder Dam Bridge Overlook for a breathtaking view of the Hoover Dam. Then, you can either drive across the dam or park and walk along its impressive rim! Finally, arrive at the Hoover Dam Lookout on the dam's far side and consider its impact on the Southwest and its future. Your tour of the dam concludes here. For Lake Mead, your tour commences at the visitor center. Hear stories of geological history and metamorphosis, while viewing multicolored rock formations. Unearth Indian tribes and admire how they diverted water for survival! Also pass the hot springs which Paleo-Indians deemed therapeutic and sacred. Proceed past the Las Vegas Wash, a valuable stopping point and which helped early farmers and miners eke out a living. Bring to life explorers like John Wesley Powell, who bravely explored the uncharted portions of the Colorado River. Uncover how Lake Mead’s namesake Elwood Mead went against the grain pushing for revolutionary water management practices. See the Hamblin-Cleopatra Volcano and discover how it broke into three pieces! Learn about the animals that call this area home, including tarantulas and Gila Monsters. Then, enter Valley of Fire State Park and witness the stunningly red rock formations which make this landscape famous. Your tour concludes here.

Other Sightseeing Options in Lake Mead Visitor Center

Want to discover all there is to do in Lake Mead Visitor Center? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Lake Mead Visitor Center

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 44 reviews

Simply GREAT! Our tour guide Robert was sensational! We made a few stops and always had enough time for photos and any bathroom breaks! He was funny and accommodating and told us so many interesting things about the Hover Dam! If one was too hot, he didn't have to get off and could wait in the air-conditioned bus. We can only recommend this tour to everyone!

We really enjoyed our tour to the Hoover Dam. Our driver was Tony and he was amazing! He is such a fun and lively tour guy, he is also very knowledgeable and we loved that. We definitely want to go on other tours and want him to be driver! 5 stars for sure!!!

The ride was good. Michael was very exelent in knowledge and meeting all the needs of the trip. Highly recommend! Just make sure to find out exactly were to meet, because at Treasure Island, there is NO sign stating tours or what tours.

The tour was really an express tour. It's not too long, but included everything required and we enjoyed the ride. The bus driver was excellent.

Tony, the tour guide, was very nice and knowledgeable about the Hoover dam.