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Before you go
Your trip to Boulder City.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Boulder City – Nevada Destination Las Vegas and Death Valley
How to get there
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Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Las Vegas · 40 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
By car from Las Vegas on I-11 in about 30 minutes. The nearest airport with commercial flights is Las Vegas. Organized tours to the Hoover Dam depart from hotels on the Strip.
How many days
Half a day is enough for the historic center and the dam. With a full day, you’ll have time for Lake Mead, the old railroad trail and the overlook at the bridge over the Colorado River.
When to go
From October to April days are usually mild for walking in the town center and on trails. In summer it is very hot; visit the dam early and save the late afternoon for the lake.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. There is no regular public transportation between Las Vegas, Boulder City and the dam. Without a car, the alternative is organized tours departing from Las Vegas.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Boulder City
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Morning
Hoover Dam
Arrive at the dam early, walk across the crest and visit the visitor center. If you want to see the turbines, buy the guided power plant tour. Afterwards, stop at the overlook on the bridge above the Colorado River.
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Afternoon
Historic center and Lake Mead
Have lunch in Boulder City’s historic center and see the 1930s buildings. In the afternoon, head to the shore of Lake Mead, to one of the beaches or marinas in the recreation area.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth stopping in Boulder City?
Yes, especially on the way to the Hoover Dam. The historic center is small and peaceful, and the town is close to Lake Mead. It’s a good place to have lunch between the dam visit and the return to Las Vegas.
How far is Boulder City from the Hoover Dam?
About 10 km, or roughly a 15-minute drive. The road passes through the Lake Mead recreation area.
What time zone is Boulder City in?
The same as Las Vegas — Pacific Time: UTC-8 in winter and UTC-7 in daylight saving time. The dam is on the border with Arizona, which does not observe daylight saving time; therefore, from March to November the clocks on the Arizona side show the same time as Nevada, and in winter they are one hour ahead.
Why was Boulder City built?
To house the workers and engineers who built the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. The city was planned by the federal government and therefore has an organized layout and buildings from that era.