Historic Railroad Hiking Trail

An old railroad grade built for the construction of Hoover Dam is now a bike- and dog-friendly trail, complete with tunnels and sweeping views.

Hoover Dam, of course, is a famous technological megaproject from the 1930s, spanning the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona. At that time rail was the only practical transportation technology for such a large project, and so a dedicated rail line was built to the dam site. The upper rail line, which ran to near the top of the dam, got some desultory use after the dam's completion, but the tracks were torn up after the last generator was installed in 1961. For decades the old right-of-way just lay there, blocked off with fences and "No Trespassing" signs, but since the turn of the present century it has been repurposed as a recreational trail. It gives expansive views of Lake Mead and traverses several tunnels, and ends at the Visitor Center on the Nevada side. (The gates beyond tunnel #5 are locked at sunset.) The trail is also open to bikes and leashed dogs.

The trailhead is just beyond the Lake Mead Visitor Center, which is off US Business 93 on Lakeshore Road, near the entrance to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Important: Security is much tighter beyond the last tunnel, as you get near the dam. Take the "Stay on Trail" signs seriously!

www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hikerr.htm

An old railroad grade built for the construction of Hoover Dam is now a bike- and dog-friendly trail, complete with tunnels and sweeping views.

Hoover Dam, of course, is a famous technological megaproject from the 1930s, spanning the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona. At that time rail was the only practical transportation technology for such a large project, and so a dedicated rail …  (read more)

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