State of Arizona and Nevada

During our trip to Nevada, we stopped at the Hoover Dam. It was Benson, my son, and my first time in Nevada and at the dam. My wife had previously driven on it before the overpass bridge was constructed but didn’t take a tour or even walk on it. By the end of the trip, my wife was done listening to my “dam” dad jokes!

Our visit to the Hoover Dam took place in early July. During our time in Nevada, temperatures ranged from 105 to a scorching 115 degrees. We made the mistake of not getting there earlier in the day and not parking in the parking garage. We made the decision to drive over the dam, park on the Arizona side, and walk and push Benson in the stroller to the tour and museum area. During our second visit, we didn’t make the same mistake.

The only way to escape the heat during the summer is to park in covered parking or in an air-conditioned structure. Even then, there is little to no relief. A security officer collapsed when we went into the security checkpoint area. We are not certain of the cause of her medical situation, but the heat was excessive.

If you have the opportunity to visit in the morning, I would recommend it as a great time. There are fewer people at this time and less difficulty finding a parking spot in the parking garage.

Status of the Location

When beginning the process of writing this, it was very difficult to decide what category to place it in. It isn’t a national or state park, however, it isn’t really a “roadside attraction.” However, its status as a National Historic Landmark led us to group it with parks.

For those who, like me, wonder why the Hoover Dam isn’t considered a National Monument, the following might be the best explanation I could give why it isn’t. The designation of National Monument is typically reserved for areas of significant natural, cultural, or historical importance that are managed and protected by the National Park Service. While the Hoover Dam does possess historical significance, its primary function as a critical infrastructure for power generation and water management sets it apart from the usual criteria for National Monument designation.

The Hoover Dam is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees water resource management, power generation, and related activities. The dam’s status as a National Historic Landmark acknowledges its historical and engineering significance.

Brief History of the Location

The Hoover Dam, an iconic engineering marvel located on the Colorado River.

The dam stretches across the border of Nevada and Arizona, and is a true symbol of American progress. It is constructed between the years of 1931 and 1936, during the height of the Great Depression and provides employment opportunities to thousands of workers. At the height of its construction, it employs as many as 5,000 people. The lowest paid employee makes 50 cents an hour and the highest paid employee makes $1.25 an hour. The average for all of the workers at the dam is about 62.5 cents an hour.

The Hoover Dam rises to a height of 726 feet and spans 1,244 feet across the Black Canyon. The dam forms the largest reservoir in the United States (Lake Mead National Recreation Area). At its completion, the dam is the tallest in the world. It will remain the tallest dam in the U.S. until it is surpassed by the Oroville Dam in Northern California in 1968.

At its base, the Hoover Dam is 660 feet thick, which is as thick as two football fields are long from goal line to goal line.

If this article interests you, read about other state and national parks I have visited in Arizona and Nevada. Or check out other articles related to National Historic Landmark or National Register of Historic Places.

For more information about Hoover Dam, its days and hours of operation, as well as fees, visit usbr.gov . Also travelnevada.com for other information that might improve your visit.

Location

Hoover Dam Visitor Center
81 Hoover Dam Access Rd,
Boulder City, NV 89005