WPT001
Location: 36.0114479064941, -114.794044494629
From the visitor center, begin hiking east along the Historic Railroad Trail.
Note, since water is not available along the trail, and temperatures can soar well over 100 degrees, make sure to have enough for the duration of the hike.
WPT002
Location: 36.0111389160156, -114.790870666504
Continue straight through access gate and head northeast towards Lake Mead.
WPT003
Location: 36.0132369995117, -114.787712097168
Overlook: Crest the top of a small hill and enjoy sweeping views of Lake Mead and the marina to the northeast. The white bathtub ring around the lake, is from decades of being underwater, and only recently becoming exposed as the water level drops.
WPT004
Location: 36.013355255127, -114.784561157227
Take a load off, and drink in more views of Lake Mead from several benches placed along the trail.
WPT005
Location: 36.0179672241211, -114.776901245117
Tunnel #1: Pass through the first of five tunnels over the next 1.2 miles.
Built during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, these 25-foot tall tunnels were blasted out of the Aztec Sandstone mountains standing in the way of the Hoover Dam site. Unable to climb the gradient from the dam site to Boulder City, trains were forced to zigzag across the desert. Over the years, several of the tunnels have fallen victim to arson and required a concrete coating to be applied.
WPT006
Location: 36.0169486999512, -114.762672424316
Tunnel #5: The final tunnel; either continue hiking east towards Hoover Dam, or turn around to return to your car.
Note: The gates just beyond the tunnel are locked after dark, so plan accordingly.
WPT007
Location: 36.0158538818359, -114.753074645996
Continue hiking as the bath begins to wind down to the Hoover Dam site. Depending on the season, it’s possible to catch a glimpse of jackrabbits, bighorn sheep and seasonal white fluffy flowers dotting the landscape.
WPT008
Location: 36.0167045593262, -114.751495361328
Turn left at 3-way junction and continue on the Historic Railroad Trail.
WPT009
Location: 36.018928527832, -114.749824523926
Turn right at 3-way junction and begin descending to the dam site. Look closely and you can see the path cutting into the hillside below.
WPT010
Location: 36.0175399780273, -114.745147705078
Continue under crackling power lines and stay straight at 4-way junction with a service road.
Note: Service trucks drive this route regularly, so look closely before crossing.
WPT011
Location: 36.0172843933106, -114.742782592773
Final descent to Hoover Dam.
WPT012
Location: 36.0162353515625, -114.741508483887
Hoover Dam parking garage: Trail ends. To return back to your car, make a u-turn and head back to waypoint 1.
Optional: Spend some time walking around Hoover Dam and checking out the visitor center. Standing atop of the dam, it’s impossible not to lose your breath thinking about the sheer magnitude of this engineering marvel. Depending on time, take one of the Best Dam Tours Around, and descend deep into the depths of the damn.
Access Gate
Location: 36.011058807373, -114.790878295898
Lake Mead
Location: 36.0131874084473, -114.787673950195
Hanging out
Location: 36.0134086608887, -114.78450012207
Tunnel #1
Location: 36.0179557800293, -114.776809692383
Inside the Tunnel
Location: 36.016918182373, -114.773384094238
Overlook
Location: 36.0166969299316, -114.764457702637
Gate
Location: 36.0168838500977, -114.762756347656
Make sure you return before nightfall
Trail
Location: 36.0158386230469, -114.753204345703
Seasonal Flowers
Location: 36.0161285400391, -114.754081726074
Road Crossing
Location: 36.0166320800781, -114.751625061035
Powerstation
Location: 36.0174713134766, -114.745819091797
Picnic Tables
Location: 36.0175590515137, -114.743392944336
Trail
Location: 36.0164680480957, -114.741790771484
Hoover Dam
Location: 36.0161476135254, -114.741317749023
From the visitor center start hiking east along the Historic Railway Trail, paralleling Lake Mead on the left and open desert on the right. In 1 mile, begin to head through five separate tunnels blasted into the Aztec Sandstone Mountains in the early 1930's to let trains pass through en route to Hoover Dam. The tunnels, now restored by the National Park Service, are 25 feet high, and provide cool damp shade against the hot desert sun. After passing through the final tunnel, continue 1.6 miles, descending 300 feet to Hoover Dam. Depending on time, check out Hoover Dam visitor center and even take a tour of the dam. To finish, simply make a u-turn and retrace your steps.
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