Boulder City, Nevada

1. Hoover Dam

• What is the Hoover Dam?
  • Hoover Dam is a colossal concrete arch-gravity dam located in the Black Canyon on the Colorado River.
  • It was constructed during the Great Depression between 1931 and 1936.
• What was Hoover Dam originally called?
  • It was originally known as Boulder Dam from 1933 and was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935.
  • In 1947, a joint resolution of Congress officially renamed it the Hoover Dam after President Herbert Hoover.
• What is the purpose of the Hoover Dam?
  • The dam impounds Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States by volume.
  • It generates hydroelectric power for public and private utilities in Nevada, Arizona, and California.
• How many visitors does Hoover Dam attract?
  • The Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction.
  • It sees almost a million visitors every year.

2. Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum

• What is the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum?
  • The Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum is a small museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Boulder Canyon Project and the construction of the Hoover Dam.
  • It tells the story of the brave men and women who endured the hostile Southern Nevada desert during the Great Depression.
• Where is the museum located?
  • The museum is situated on the second floor of the historic Boulder Dam Hotel.
• What kind of exhibits are featured?
  • The museum features interactive three-dimensional displays and exhibits chronicling the history of Boulder City from the 1929 Stock Market Crash to the Boulder Canyon Project.
  • Visitors can explore diary pages, dioramas, documents, and oral histories from those who worked on the project.
  • The museum also includes multimedia displays, soundscapes, and videos that bring the era to life.
• Why should visitors stop at the museum?
  • The museum is a favorite stop for tourists heading to see the gigantic Hoover Dam.

1305 Arizona Street, Boulder City, NV 89005

3. Historic Railroad Hiking Trail

• What is the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail?
  • The Historic Railroad Hiking Trail is a dog-friendly hiking trail along a former railroad grade that offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Mead and the Boulder Basin.
  • It is designated as a national recreation trail and shares the rich history of the creation of Lake Mead and the construction of the Hoover Dam.
• How long is the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail?
  • The trail stretches for 7.5 miles and follows a portion of the original railroad route used between Boulder City and the Hoover Dam in the mid-1900s.
• What makes the trail unique?
  • The trail winds through five massive tunnels, each approximately 300 feet in length and 25 feet in diameter.

Boulder City, NV 89005, Phone: 702-293-8990

4. Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

• What is the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge?
  • The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, also known as the Hoover Dam Bridge, is a remarkable engineering feat that spans the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada.
• How long and high is the bridge?
  • The bridge stretches 1,500 feet long and rests 890 feet above the Colorado River.
  • It is the second-highest bridge in the United States and boasts the tallest concrete columns of its kind.
• Why is the bridge significant?
  • It serves as a major commercial route connecting Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
  • It is the highest and longest arched concrete bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
  • The bridge is named after Mike O’Callaghan, a former Governor of Nevada, and Pat Tillman, a professional football player and military hero.

5. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area

• What is the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area?
  • The Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is a 48,000-square-acre nature preserve located south of Las Vegas.
  • It is renowned for its rich cultural history and stunning petroglyphs carved by Native Americans.
• What makes the Sloan Petroglyph Site special?
  • The site is often called the "Sistine Chapel of Native American rock art" due to its extensive petroglyph collection.
  • It contains more than 300 rock art panels with over 1,700 individual design elements dating back to the Archaic era.
• What trailheads are available at Sloan Canyon?
  • East boundary: Dutchman Pass (Mission Hills).
  • Eastern border: Quo Vadis.
  • West southern border: Hidden Valley.
  • Western boundary (South of Inspirada): Petroglyph Canyon.
  • Western boundary (Inside Solara): Shadow Canyon.
  • Northwestern boundary (South Anthem): Anthem Hills.

Henderson, NV 89052, Phone: 702-515-5000

6. Nature Discovery Trail and Rock Garden

• What is the Nature Discovery Trail and Rock Garden?
  • The Nature Discovery Trail and Rock Garden is a scenic walking trail located in Bootleg Canyon.
  • It is part of a beautiful municipal park and provides a great place for families to explore nature together.
• What can visitors see along the trail?
  • The paved walking trail is lined with colorful rock gardens and features giant statues of desert animals.
  • Some of the statues include a giant jackrabbit, a scorpion, a horned lizard, a roadrunner, a tortoise, a Mojave rattlesnake, and a Gila monster.
• Are there educational features on the trail?
  • Yes, the trail includes information plaques along the route that describe the local fauna and flora.
  • Visitors can learn about plants such as the cholla, the prickly pear, and the Joshua tree.
• What are the trail’s length and amenities?
  • The trail is 1,800 feet long and provides spectacular panoramic views of Boulder City.
  • It ends at a covered pavilion with a picnic table, making it a great spot for family outings.

7. Nevada Southern Railroad Museum

• What is the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum?
  • The Nevada Southern Railroad Museum is a family-friendly museum dedicated to the history of the railroad system in Boulder City.
  • It is operated by the Nevada State Railroad Museum and is located on tracks originally laid by the Union Pacific Railroad for the Boulder Dam project.
• What locomotives and exhibits are featured at the museum?
  • The museum features four operational diesel locomotives and three steam locomotives.
  • There is a variety of non-operational equipment that has been cosmetically refurbished for static display.
  • Visitors can explore a passenger platform and various railroad artifacts.
• Can visitors take train rides?
  • Yes! Guests can enjoy rides on wheelchair-accessible open-air cars or air-conditioned and heated Pullman coaches.
  • Rides are available on weekends and offer a unique way to experience railroad history.
• Are there any additional attractions at the museum?
  • The museum also features model railroad displays and 7½" gauge trains on the weekends.
  • It provides a great opportunity for families and railroad enthusiasts to explore and learn.

601 Yucca St, Boulder City, NV 89005, Phone: 702-486-5933

8. Papillon Helicopter Tour

• What is the Papillon Helicopter Tour?
  • The Papillon Helicopter Tour is an adventure company offering a variety of helicopter tours over the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Black Canyon.
  • It is the oldest Grand Canyon helicopter sightseeing company and operates the largest fleet of sightseeing aircraft in the world.
• What tours are available?
  • Hoover Dam Heli Tour: Covers around 10 miles at 2,500 feet above the ground, offering spectacular aerial views of the Hoover Dam, Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, Lake Mead, and the Black Canyon.
  • Lake View Heli Tour: Offers stunning views of Lake Mead from above.
  • Black Canyon Heli Tour: Includes sights of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and a flight down the Colorado River toward the Black Canyon, known for its dramatic chasms and emerald coves.
• What features do the helicopters offer?
  • Each helicopter is equipped with air-conditioning for a comfortable flight.
  • Multi-language narration is available to enhance the experience for international visitors.
  • State-of-the-art passenger-to-pilot communications allow for interaction during the flight.
• How can I contact Papillon Helicopter Tours?
  • You can reach them by phone at 702-736-7243.