Hoover Dam Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

What your day looks like

Your tour to the Hoover Dam will begin in fabulous Las Vegas, right on the Vegas Strip. As you cruise through the Las Vegas Valley, you’ll get a glimpse into the city’s appropriately Wild West beginnings, from its start as a humble rail town to its early days as a rowdy gambling den. You’ll also find out how the Great Depression and the Hoover Dam changed the city forever. Once you leave Vegas behind, you’ll get acquainted with the mighty Colorado River—which played the dual role of lifegiver and destructive force of nature before the Hoover Dam’s construction. Ever wonder what it took to tame such a powerful force? You’ll find out here! Then, get to know the big names behind the Hoover Dam project, like Frank “Hurry Up” Crowe and the Six Companies. Plus, learn how the water from the dam was intended to be distributed… and how that’s changing today. Next, you’ll arrive in Boulder City, one of the state’s newest cities, and one created exclusively for the construction of the Hoover Dam. As you cruise through this unusual town, you’ll hear about a dramatic standoff between the dam’s builders and the Six Companies, as well as the truth behind the brutal working conditions the laborers suffered under. After that, you’ll reach Lake Mead Viewpoint, offering stellar views of the artificial lake created by the Hoover Dam. Then you’ll hear how workers actually built the dam, from the daring feats of the high scalers to the genius engineering that went into pouring the concrete. If you’d like to hike the route of old railroad tracks, you can do that next at the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail. Then, continue on to Lakeview Overlook, another fabulous spot to take in the scenery and snap some pictures of Lake Mead. As you approach the dam itself, you’ll have the option to stop at Boulder Dam Bridge Overlook for the best view of the Hoover Dam you’ll find anywhere. Then, you can choose whether to drive across the dam or park and walk along the rim yourself! Finally, you’ll arrive at the Hoover Dam Lookout on the dam’s far side, and hear what this dam means for the present and future of the southwest. Your tour concludes here.