Education Tour Information
We are pleased to offer youth groups admissions into Hoover Dam's Visitor Center for a fee of $5.00 per youth and escort (restrictions apply, see below). Youth groups include educational groups Kindergarten through 12th grade, or age equivalent recognized by a Federal, State or local government; or groups belonging to recognized non-profit clubs, i.e., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, etc., with an educational or badge requirement; and church groups.
Educational Tour
You and your group will receive a guided Power Plant Tour of the world-famous Hoover Dam. Tours are available Monday through Thursday at either 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. PST. Click the ticket button to make your reservation (available dates are shown at time of purchase).
- Walk through original construction tunnels
- Visit the viewing platform overlooking a 30-foot diameter penstock – feel the vibration created by water rushing through the pipe
- See 8 of the commercial generators in the Nevada Powerhouse
- Live guided presentations describing the operations of Hoover Dam and its contributions to the American southwest
- Immerse yourself in the history of Hoover Dam as you walk through our narrated exhibits
- Enjoy a 360-degree view of the Dam, Colorado River, Lake Mead and Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge from the Observation Deck
- Visit the 1940s Original Exhibit Building with narrated 3D model of the region's dams and power systems
Tour Reservations
Click on the educational tour tickets button at the top of this page to make your reservation. A $50 non-refundable time slot deposit is due at the time of reserving your tour slot. Your deposit will be applied to the orders first 10 tickets. Any remaining charges will be paid onsite (Credit Card or Cash). For questions or concerns please call 702-494-2517 or email HDtours@lazparking.com.
Tour reservations for educational groups are made on a first-received, first-accepted basis. We recommend you make reservations 90 days in advance to secure your preferred tour date and time because of the large number of tour requests. Note: Hoover Dam is closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
A maximum of 75 people (students and escorts combined), per school, per day are permitted. If a group has less than 20 participants, accommodations will be made to include the group on a tour with other visitors. One (1) adult escort per 10 students is requested. Additional escorts beyond the 1:10 ratio pay the full price of a Power Plant Tour.
Arrival to Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam tours run on a very tight schedule, and if your group is late, we may not be able to accommodate your tour.
An average of 14,000 vehicles cross the dam daily, often resulting in long traffic delays. Please allow sufficient time for your transportation to arrive at the ticket counter no less than 30 minutes prior to your tour departure time. For directions to the dam, click here.
- 9:30 a.m. Tour - MUST be at the ticket counter at 9:00 sharp
This means you will need to account for travel time, inspection at the security checkpoint, parking, passenger drop-off, restroom break, walking to Visitor Center, and visitor screening before your arrival to the ticket counter. - 10:30 a.m. Tour - MUST be at the ticket counter at 10:00 sharp
This means you will need to account for travel time, inspection at the security checkpoint, parking, passenger drop-off, restroom break, walking to Visitor Center, and visitor screening before your arrival to the ticket counter.
Buses will be boarded by security personnel and cargo areas will be inspected. Luggage is not permitted on buses. Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed. Marijuana and weapons of any kind are not permitted in any buildings.
Buses/vans will drop off and load on the bus level of the parking garage. Buses and vans identified on the application will have complimentary parking in Arizona Lot #9. Additional vehicles such as volunteers can pay to park in the garage or Lot #9 for $10 per vehicle.
Individuals and their belongings will be screened upon arrival to the Visitor Center. All individuals will walk through a magnetometer. All bags will pass through x-ray and may require additional inspection by security personnel. Food and beverages in sealed containers are permitted but may not be opened or consumed inside buildings. Water is allowed and recommended (no glass containers). Service Animals are welcome.
The tour is not recommended for people with claustrophobia.
Best Practices
Upon arriving, make sure your group uses the restrooms located on the bus level of the parking garage before heading to the Visitor Center. We encourage the use of nametags affixed to all group members indicating the name of the school or organization. This will ensure the group member is reunited if separated from the group.
Students/young guests should stay close enough to the adults in their group to hear them speak in a normal voice. The escort should lead the way with the students following. Another escort should follow the group as a trailer to ensure the group stays together. Listen to the tour guide and follow all instructions. Please always stay with your tour group.
Use sidewalks and paved walkways while moving around the dam site. Please walk and do not take short cuts by crossing the street without using a crosswalk.
Young people often desire to climb on benches, fences, exhibit barriers, guard rails, objects along the tour route, or even the canyon walls. These objects are unsafe for such activities; please stay on the paved walkways.
Due to any maintenance or security restrictions, the tour may be cancelled at any time with minimum notice. Should this occur, the Youth Group Coordinator will be contacted as soon as possible, and a refund provided.
Resource Materials
An educational "learning packet" (see links in left margin) provides background information about Hoover Dam and the surrounding area. It includes learning activities to promote understanding of Hoover Dam's impact on the environment and its technical and historical significance for the United States. The student activities may be used either alone or in conjunction with a visit to the dam. Please feel free to reproduce and share the information in this packet.
For questions about Educational Tours call 702-494-2517 or e-mail HDtours@lazparking.com.
