Hoover Dam is perfectly situated between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, making it an ideal spot to explore on a combo tour with the natural wonder.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
No humanmade construct will ever rival the Grand Canyon. The raw power of water, wind and ice, slowly working its magic on Arizona’s rock, is crafting a masterpiece. And while the Grand Canyon is the product of millions of years of work, we humans have only recently learned, through science, to harness our planet’s physical processes, in order to generate power. The Hoover Dam is a mighty example of that science in action, its vast bulk spanning the same Colorado River that helped carve out the Grand Canyon. Tours that include a walk atop the dam can be found lower down this list. Here are some of the best options.
Vegas to Grand Canyon Tour with Hoover Dam Stop
Most day trips to the Grand Canyon depart from Las Vegas. Of those, the majority visit the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and include only a brief photo stop at the Hoover Dam. The benefit of such a tour, however, is that it’s a cost-effective way of seeing these two landmarks in one day, particularly for anybody without their own means of transportation. Although this tour, which is by far the best-priced option, is no-frills, bus transportation and Grand Canyon entrance fees are included. You will also get to visit Eagle and Guano viewing points for spectacular canyon vistas. From $99 per person.
Grand Canyon West Rim and Hoover Dam Photo Stop
For a more comfortable exploration of Hoover Dam and the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, check this coach tour out. There’s a 45-minute stop at a spot where you can get panoramic photos of the Hoover Dam, plus various hour-long stops around the mighty canyon’s West Rim. In between, breakfast and a BBQ lunch are provided (vegetarian options are available on request), as well as bottled water. The tour is capped at either end by a pick-up and drop-off service at seven Las Vegas hotel locations along the Strip and Fremont Street. From $165 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam & Route 66 Tour
Despite most Las Vegas tours only reaching the West Rim, it is possible to visit the Grand Canyon’s celebrated South Rim on a day trip. Views from here are simply spectacular, being far more extensive. The South Rim also boasts more viewpoints, plenty of hiking opportunities and better facilities. Other benefits of this excellent 14-hour trip from Vegas include driving over the Hoover Dam and driving a stretch of the mother road of the American Southwest: Route 66. From $199 per person.
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and 7 Magic Mountains Tour
If you’d prefer to visit the Hoover Dam properly, rather than just stopping for a photo, this tour includes a guided walk across the top of it. It’s a great opportunity to learn all about its history. Also included in your itinerary, en-route to Grand Canyon West, is a stop at a colourful outdoor art installation in the desert known as Seven Magic Mountains. At the Grand Canyon, you’ll have two hours to explore the two viewpoints along the West Rim. From $199 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam Combo Tour
If your budget has an extra zero or you happen to have struck it lucky in Vegas, the ultimate experience of the sights to the east of Sin City includes a helicopter flight. As with the other top tours on this list, you’ll reach the Grand Canyon West Rim via a Hoover Dam photo stop using land transportation. From the canyon edge though, you’ll get a unique perspective from the air as you fly over the edge and down to the canyon floor. Here, there’s a chance to disembark and take photos, before the return flight to the West Rim, with roughly 20 minutes spent in the air. From $515 per person.