Hoover Dam: Crossing the Colorado River Between Nevada and Arizona

Take a drive across one of the most iconic man-made structures in the United States as we traverse the Hoover Dam, linking Nevada and Arizona across the mighty Colorado River. Our journey begins on the Nevada side, where Hoover Dam Access Road peels off from U.S. Route 93 near the base of the Black Canyon. As we descend toward the dam, the rocky hills and sparse desert vegetation give way to concrete switchbacks that funnel us to the edge of one of the most recognizable landmarks in the American West.

Crossing the dam from west to east, we cruise over its massive concrete crest, flanked by art deco towers that once symbolized the future of modern engineering. Below us lies Lake Mead—the nation’s largest reservoir by volume—formed when the dam first held back the Colorado River in 1935. As we pass from Nevada into Arizona, the state line cuts straight through the dam, marked by clocks on each intake tower that once displayed two time zones before Arizona stopped observing daylight saving time. The transition is subtle, but symbolic—linking two states, two landscapes, and a legacy that changed the Southwest forever.

After looping around to the Arizona side, we begin the return journey westward. From this vantage point, the view stretches out across the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge (also known as the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge), which now carries the bulk of U.S. Route 93 traffic. Opened in 2010, the bridge offers sweeping views of the dam and was constructed to relieve congestion and enhance security after 9/11. Back on the dam itself, the slower pace allows us to savor the details: the power plant vents etched into the canyon walls, the bronze sculpture plaza honoring workers lost during construction, and the ever-present hum of hydroelectric energy surging beneath our wheels.

While no longer part of the main highway system, the drive across Hoover Dam remains a bucket-list experience—a rare opportunity to literally drive over a piece of American history. It’s a short route in miles, but rich in symbolism, scenery, and engineering achievement. The contrast between natural canyon walls and bold human ambition couldn’t be more striking. This isn’t just a crossing—it’s a moment of reflection suspended over a river that shaped the West.