The short answer: Hoover Dam is about 32 miles from the Bellagio, roughly 40 minutes by freeway outside rush hour. In 2026 the guided Dam Tour costs $40 a person and is sold only at the dam, first come, first served. Arrive near 9 a.m., when the Visitor Center opens.
October to April is the easy season. The 1991–2020 normals at Harry Reid airport keep highs under 82°F in all 7 of those months.
| What | Cost in 2026 | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Dam Tour | $40 a person, 3 and under free; on site only | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; last tour leaves 4:10 p.m. |
| Guided Power Plant Tour | $25 adults, $15 ages 4–16, 3 and under free; can be bought online | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; last tour leaves 4:10 p.m. |
| Visitor Center, self-guided | $15 a person | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; doors close 4:15 p.m. |
| The dam itself | Open to the public; you pay for parking | 5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily |
| Nevada-side parking garage | $10 a vehicle | |
| Arizona-side lots (RVs and trailers park here) | Lot 9 $10; Lots 13 and 14 free |
The drive: I-11 and US-93 past Boulder City
From the Strip, head southeast on I-11, which carries US-93 past Henderson and Boulder City toward Arizona. The dam road leaves the highway on the Nevada side, before the bypass bridge takes US-93 over the canyon. Miss the exit and you are in Arizona.
The $10 garage on the Nevada side is the closest parking to the Visitor Center. RVs and trailers must use the Arizona side, where Lot 9 is $10 and Lots 13 and 14 are free. If you are coming from the airport in a rental, the LAS car rental guide covers the pickup.
Which ticket to buy
The Bureau of Reclamation runs 3 paid options, and only one can be booked ahead. The Power Plant Tour is $25 for adults and $15 for ages 4 to 16, sold online. The Dam Tour is $40 and sold only at the dam, with no reservations. The self-guided Visitor Center is $15.
America the Beautiful and other interagency passes are not accepted for the Visitor Center or either tour. The Bureau also says tours "may be cancelled with no prior notice", with refunds. Everything closes on Thanksgiving, Nov 26, 2026, and on Christmas Day. Doors shut at 4:15 p.m., so a 4 p.m. arrival leaves 15 minutes.
Heat and water on top of the dam
The walk along the crest is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and there is little shade on it. At the airport, July averages a high of 104.5°F, and 25.8 of its days reach 100°F or more. From June to September, come early or after 5 p.m. Carry water for everyone in the car.
For a fuller read on the months, see Las Vegas weather by month.
Going on to Lake Mead
The lake is next door, and Boulder Beach is about 31 miles from the Strip. Lake Mead National Recreation Area charges $25 per private vehicle for 1 to 7 days, $20 per motorcycle and $15 per person on foot or by bike. Under-16s are free, and a Lake Mead annual pass is $45.
The dam is also the usual stop on a day out to the Grand Canyon West rim, since US-93 is the road there. With another free day, Valley of Fire is 57 miles the other way.
Who should skip this
Skip the paid tours if you hoped your America the Beautiful pass would cover them: it does not. Skip a July midday visit with small children, when the airport average high is 104.5°F and the crest has little shade. If a tour is the whole point, do not arrive after 4 p.m.
Everyone else can see the dam itself for the price of parking. The best Las Vegas tours page and the Las Vegas guide cover the rest of the week.
The drive from the Strip to Hoover Dam runs southeast through Boulder City on I-11 and US-93.