Hoover Dam
and the New Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge
Hoover Dam, view from Nevada side, standing in afternoon shade beside Hoover Dam Visitor Center
Now Combined Into A Remarkable Two-For-One Detour from Las Vegas.
Just 35 minutes from the Strip (US 95 South from Las Vegas to US 93 toward Boulder City), there are now TWO man-made wonders at this ‘Must-See’ stop for you, the next time you visit Las Vegas.
Maybe you have already seen or even crossed Hoover Dam in the past, when it was the main route to Arizona. Now that all the traffic has been re-routed around the dam, and over the new Mike O’ Callaghan – Pat Tillman Bridge – (commonly called The Hoover Dam Bridge) – it’s time to revisit the landmark.
Anytime you have a chance to see, in person, something as remarkable as Hoover Dam, it’s always a moving experience. Now, with the addition of the new Hoover Dam Bridge bridge, it really takes your breath away!
Hoover Dam Bridge high above the Colorado River. Taken from the original Boulder Highway as it approaches Hoover Dam and the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.
New Hoover Dam Bridge Tour
Viewed from Nevada side of Hoover Dam Bridge Walkway
The Hoover Dam Bridge Project is not just another river crossing over the Colorado river.
The bridge takes all the interstate traffic off Hoover Dam, PLUS it is extraordinary sight-seeing stop.
The bridge adds a new way for visitors to experience Lake Mead, Black Canyon, the Colorado River, and of course, Hoover Dam.
The Hoover Dam Bridge was built with a walkway on the Hoover Dam side.
You can walk the entire length of the bridge, from Nevada to Arizona, and stop a hundred times if you want for photos as you go.
The walkway offers stunning views of Hoover Dam and the Colorado River nearly 900 feet below.
Stairs and Wheelchair Access Ramps to Mike O’Callighan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Hoover Dam Bridge Wheelchair Access
The walkway on the Hoover Dam Bridge is handicap accessible (watch this 2-minute video).
There is a series of seven connected ramps with resting benches along the way.
There is also a series of staircases – 70 steps in all – that will get you to the walkway from the parking lot.
There are landings between all flights of stairs and you can switch from stairs to the ramp at several levels.
You can take a walk on the bridge before or after you take a short drive across Hoover Dam into Arizona side. At the top of the road on the Arizona side, where you turn around to head back across the dam, there is a souvenir store and great views of the dam and the intake towers from high above Lake Mead.
And there are several parking areas available as you head down the winding road to cross Hoover Dam back into Arizona. At these lower parking areas on the Arizona side, you have even more vistas of Hoover Dam, now with the new Hoover Dam Bridge behind it. Beautiful!
Whether you are a first-time visitor to Hoover Dam or have seen it before, the Mike O’ Callaghan – Pat Tillman Bridge – The Hoover Dam Bridge – is an addition to your Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas that you’ll enjoy and remember.
Other Topics In This Series:
- Building Skywalk at Grand Canyon West: From a Las Vegas Tour Guide - December 8, 2019
- Boulder Dam Tour or Hoover Dam Tour - May 11, 2012
- A Visit To Hoover Dam and Hoover Dam Bridge - May 10, 2012