Places near me Random place
All the United States Nevada Boulder City Historic Railroad Hiking Trail
AO Edited

Historic Railroad Hiking Trail

An old railroad grade built for the construction of Hoover Dam is now a recreational trail featuring several tunnels and sweeping views of Lake Mead.

Boulder City, Nevada

Added By
slgwv
Near the beginning of the trail, heading out.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
The tunnels are big.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Another tunnel.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Dropping toward the dam.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Looking out.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Cactus bloom along the trail during spring   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Cactus bloom along the trail during spring   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Proceed with caution, gate is chained at sunset   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Scenic overlook at trailhead   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Scenic overlook at trailhead   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Scenic overlook at trailhead with Hemenway harbor in the distance   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead from the trail.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead from the trail. Fortification Hill is the basalt mesa on the skyline to the right.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
A coyote off the trail, on the return.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
The first tunnel.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
A tunnel.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead Marina at Hemenway Harbor. Looking northwest; Saddle Island and the old intake for Las Vegas in the distance.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead from the trail. The prominent point between the camera and Fortification Hill is Promontory Point.   slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
trail marker   Avoiding Regret
Tunnel opening, with a view of the lake   Avoiding Regret
Tunnel near Lake Mead   droopydogajna (Atlas Obscura User)
trail   Avoiding Regret
June 2023   brendonstinson (Atlas Obscura User)
Timbered tunnel is a haven for Mexican free-tail bats   TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Hoover Dam, of course, is a famous technological megaproject from the 1930s, spanning the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona.  At the time, the railroad was the only practical transportation technology for such a large project, so a dedicated rail line was constructed to the dam site.

The upper rail line, which ran nearly to 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 sat, blocked off with fences and "No Trespassing" signs.

However, it has since been repurposed as a recreational trail. The trail offers expansive views of Lake Mead and traverses several tunnels, and ends at the Visitor Center on the Nevada side. The trail is also open to bicycles and leashed dogs.

Related Tags

Trails Nature Railroads Dams

Know Before You Go

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 (#5), as you get near the dam. Take the "Stay on Trail" signs seriously. The gate beyond this tunnel is also locked at sunset.

Community Contributors

Added By

slgwv

Published

July 6, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • The trestle from off the southeast abutment.

    Renslow, Washington

    Renslow Trestle

    A former railroad trestle over Interstate 90 has been refurbished for non-motorized traffic on the Palouse to Cascades trail.

  • Mexican Hat

    Mexican Hat, Utah

    Mexican Hat

    This balancing rock is one of Utah's most unusual geological formations.

  • A wall of sandstone with a small opening

    Covington, Indiana

    Portland Arch

    One of Indiana's only natural sandstone arches is nestled between resort ruins and an old Boy Scouts camp.

  • Johnson Beach, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

    Pensacola, Florida

    Johnson Beach

    A pristine beach on the Gulf of Mexico with deep ties to Pensacola’s Black community.

  • Cascadia Soda Springs

    Cascadia, Oregon

    Cascadia Soda Springs

    Now a secluded county park, this site was once a "health tourism" destination for wealthy Oregonians.

  • High-desert scenery gives this place a stark, surreal beauty.

    Naturita, Colorado

    Camp V

    Stay in a luxury cabin or refurbished Airstream in this former mining camp-turned-retreat.

  • Arch at Pearson.

    Mullan, Idaho

    Hiawatha Trail

    Cross the Continental Divide through an old railroad tunnel, and ride back to the top on a shuttle.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads

Become a Member