We can all agree that Las Vegas is the pound for pound undisputed champion of extravagance and entertainment, Las Vegas is the city that is included on the bucket list of travelers of every variety. Although Las Vegas is the oasis of entertainment in the heart of the Nevada desert, there is a wealth of natural wonders to explore. I've heard many times that Las Vegas can be exhausting and a day trip into the great outdoors can provide a welcome balance to travelers to Sin City. I have to mention that, I came across the post titled Second Battle of Hoover Dam and wanted to comment on how well this website is designed. Check it out. Super interesting.

If you're looking for a change of pace and are looking for a quick day trip, the LV Plug's Hoover Dam Day Trip is the perfect adventure for you.

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Hoover Dam Day Trip

Without the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas might still be a railroad depot in the middle of the desert. The Hoover Dam opened in 1936 and during it's construction brought thousands of workers to the Las Vegas area and was responsible for the creation of Lake Mead (also included in this day trip). In our Hoover Dam Day Trip, you're going to see the luxurious Lake Las Vegas, drive through Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mead, and finish off at the Hoover Dam.

Driving Overview

• Total Distance: 43.9 miles
• Total Driving Time: 1 hour and 13 minutes
• Total Stops: Four

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Hoover Dam Day Trip Driving Instructions

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Sights You'll See Along The Way

• Lake Las Vegas
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Lake Mead
• Boulder Beach
• Hoover Dam

Are you ready? Let's dive in.

Start: Las Vegas Strip

I have no clue what hotel you're staying at, so I'm using Mandalay Bay as a basic starting place, but this shouldn't really matter. It should be realitvely the same driving distance from all the hotels on the strip. You're going to hop on 215 and head east until you get off in Henderson. You're going to take this road to our first stop Lake Las Vegas.

First Stop: Lake Las Vegas

If you've never been to Lake Las Vegas, you shouldn't miss this this stop. It's not too far out of the way. It's one of my favorite places in Las Vegas. I've included Seasons Grocery as your destination. This store/deli is located at Lake Las Vegas and depending on what time you began your journey, this is a great place to grab coffee, a quick lunch, or beverages for the rest of your trip. After you're done grabbing a bite to eat and taking a few photos, it's time to get back on the road and head towards the entrance of Lake Meade National Recreation Area and to our next photo opportunity, the 33 Hole Overlook.

Drone Footage of Lake Las Vegas

I recorded this video of Lake Las Vegas at the beginning of June 2020.

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Second Stop: Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Once you're inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, you're going to enjoy a beautiful scenic drive as you head towards the Hoover Dam. I've placed a the 33 Hole Overlook on the map because it's a great place to take a family photo or snap a picture of the beautiful Lake Mead. There are a few photo opportunities and scenic overlooks along the way, so if you don't want to stop at the 33 Hole Overlook, there are a few others to pick from.

Third Stop: Lake Mead (Boulder Beach)

Now that you've taken a few photos at the scenic overlooks, I'm taking you down to the water to dip your toes in the water. Boulder Beach is located in the Lake Mead Recreation Area and will get you up close and personal access to Lake Mead. This is another great photo opportunity, so cherish the moment before we head to our next stop: Hoover Dam.

Fourth Stop: Hoover Dam

After you get done taking pictures at Lake Mead, we're heading to our final destination: Hoover Dam. As you get close to Hoover Dam, you'll find a few scenic overlooks, but I had a hard time taking a good picture at those, so I didn't include them in this day trip. Once you get through the security check point at the Hoover Dam, you'll find a parking garage at the Hoover Dam. I think the fee is like $10. You can drive over the Dam and find free parking too, but you'll have to walk a little bit. It's your choice. I've done both.

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Conclusion

That's the end of the trip. I'm not sure what your schedule looks like, so you can decide what you want to do next. The Hoover Dam Lodge is a good option for a cheap lunch or snack before heading back to Las Vegas. If you want to continue exploring and get the most out of your trip, stop by Boulder City. It's pretty cool. Otherwise you can hop back on the freeway and journey back to Las Vegas. Interested in other day trips from Las Vegas? We created a day trip designed around exploring Laughlin and the Colorado River. This is a fun trip if you like Jetskis. Visiting Las Vegas during the month of October? We compiled a list of all the events and activities in Las Vegas During October.

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