If you approach the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, you’ll very likely pass the Hoover Dam as well. And there some excellent tours that offer and exploration of both attractions.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
No humanmade construct will ever rival the Grand Canyon. Only the natural world, the very same one that made us, can produce something so vast and so magnificent in its beauty as that. What sets us humans apart in the animal kingdom, however, is that ability to harness the physical processes of the planet to control farming and generate power, which is why it makes perfect sense to view a canyon, carved by a river, after observing how that river’s power is harnessed to carve out a better life, too. Here are some of the best tours that visit both sites.
Grand Canyon West Rim and Hoover Dam Photo Stop
For a really broad exploration of everything that is special about the land between Las Vegas and the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, check this coach tour out. You’ll pass through the Mojave Desert, with a stop to see the Joshua trees growing there. You’ll stop to get a photo opportunity with the grand Hoover Dam, then explore the West Rim’s main views from Eagle and Guano points. Finally, you’ll visit Hualapai Reservation to learn all about the Native Americans who have made this remarkable region their home for millennia. From $139 per person.
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam & Route 66 Tour
(Photo: Viator.com)
If you’d prefer to visit the Hoover Dam properly, to walk on top of it and learn all about its history, then this small group tour (maximum 14 people) is the way to go. Another benefit of this 14-hour trip from Vegas is that you’ll visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Views of it from here are far more extensive and there are many more viewpoints too. Finally, you’ll stop by another humanmade marvel, the mother road of the American Southwest: Route 66. You’ll visit Seligman, where the authenticity of that bygone era of road travel is faithfully upheld. From $185 per person.
Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam VIP Tour
This nine-hour tour is not only better for those who’d prefer a shorter, less exhausting day-trip, but is also another popular small-group tour (max. 15 people). This well reviewed itinerary passes by the Hoover Dam, with a chance to get out of the Mercedes SUV and take photos of it and Lake Mead. Then you’ll navigate through the Mojave Desert, to Eagle Point and the Grand Canyon beyond. See Guano Point and the Hualapai Ranch before your return to Las Vegas. From $199 per person.
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam & Seven Magic Mountains Tour
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Other folk instead prefer a tour that packs as much as possible into the day, and if that’s you, this tour might be a good option. You’ll get to experience the classic sights, including around four hours to fully explore the West Rim’s viewpoints. You’ll see Hoover Dam from the Bypass Bridge Walkway. But this tour’s unique addition is Seven Magic Mountains, a strikingly colorful, 35-foot (10.7m) art installation in the desert south of Las Vegas. As with all tours on this list, there are departures on most days of the year. From $199 per person.
Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam Combo Tour
One thing to note about tours from Vegas to Grand Canyon West via Hoover Dam is that many of the extras are not included. This tour does the opposite and makes certain that guests will not miss out on any of the best experiences on offer. That means having a full exploration of Hoover Dam, from the top of the dam to the generator rooms near its base. You’ll visit a local park to spot bighorn sheep, have a picnic lunch on the rim of the Grand Canyon, and take the Sky Walk over the edge of it. From $308 per person.