Historic Railroad Trail
Historic Railroad Trail
4.5
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Areas of this trail were used in the movie "The Gauntlet."
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- cludasdulacTorquay, United Kingdom99 contributionsLove ItThis really is a lovely walk, we always walk to the Hoover Dam have lunch and walk back. Great views of Lake Mead, we were lucky to see the Mountain goats on a stroll. Would recommend if you like walking.Visited November 2022Written 5 December 2022
- yoroseyLas Vegas, Nevada5,161 contributionsNice trailIt is a nice trail along the south side of lake mead. You can walk through various tunnels and enjoy the views of the hills, lake, dessert and old railway tunnels. Not sure how long it takes to do full trail but we did just over hour walk and got to see at least 3 tunnels.Visited January 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 January 2023
- Patt T2 contributionsInteresting but neglectedIt ends/begins on the top floor of the parking garage at the Hoover Dam. There was hardly any signage so we pretty much found it by accident and only because we knew it was there somewhere and were looking for it! the signs along the trails were very worn and not legible in places. It's a shame that it isn't maintained. Bikes aren't allowed in so if people rode over, there should be a safe place for them to leave bikes inside so they could tour the dam. We walked out from the dam and was hoping to see some of the tunnels and views but ran out of time. A trail map with distances would be helpful. I was glad I got to see some of it but there wasn't enough information on this end to explain what we were walking on.Visited January 2023Written 18 January 2023
- Sharon KLas Vegas, Nevada115 contributionsMy favorite place for a day hikeI used to hike back in here a long time ago when it wasn't open to the public and we'd have to hide from the ranger! But now that it is public I go quite often. It is scenic and historic. It is not strenuous and I an take the kids or elderly folk here. The tunnels are interesting and quite unique to this area.Visited October 2022Written 16 February 2023
- Linred1735 contributionsEasy hike from Hoover Dam entranceWe started from the Hoover Dam. Use the top floor of the parking garage. Easy hike. Beautiful views of the canyon. Path is not marked too well - bring a map or pre plan where to go.Visited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 6 April 2023
- Doc & BrecindaQuartzsite, Arizona4 contributionsThis is a rails to trails historic path. Needs a little maintenance as the trim starting to wash out in a few places, BUEntered this trail 3.7 miles north northwest of Hoover dam. Took our e-bikes on this beautiful historic rails to trails conversion. Rode our e-bikes to a point just north of the Hoover dam where they no longer allow bikes. Two bike racks here, so bring sturdy locks, leave your bikes and hike the short distance to the dam. Awesome scenery, total of 5 railroad tunnels to go thru, just a neat outing. Highly recommend.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
198 reviews
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Brian
New York City, NY202 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Had read about the trail and was looking forward to it. It didn’t disappoint. I did make the mistake of using google maps to try to get there. It tried to take me through the national park which would have required a payment; the ranger told me how to go back and get there without paying. That was super kind. The trail was easy to find once I found the trailhead near the parking lot. It’s flat, easy to navigate, and the views are spectacular. About 10 degrees cooler inside the tunnels, too, which was nice!
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doc & Brecinda
Quartzsite, AZ4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Entered this trail 3.7 miles north northwest of Hoover dam. Took our e-bikes on this beautiful historic rails to trails conversion. Rode our e-bikes to a point just north of the Hoover dam where they no longer allow bikes. Two bike racks here, so bring sturdy locks, leave your bikes and hike the short distance to the dam. Awesome scenery, total of 5 railroad tunnels to go thru, just a neat outing. Highly recommend.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linred17
New York35 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We started from the Hoover Dam. Use the top floor of the parking garage. Easy hike. Beautiful views of the canyon. Path is not marked too well - bring a map or pre plan where to go.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer H
Columbus, OH530 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
It was a nice hike. I wish the tunnels were closer to the Leak Mead visitor center, but I guess there isn’t much you can do about that. I can see how it would be horribly hot in the summer.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon K
Las Vegas, NV115 contributions
Oct 2022
I used to hike back in here a long time ago when it wasn't open to the public and we'd have to hide from the ranger! But now that it is public I go quite often. It is scenic and historic. It is not strenuous and I an take the kids or elderly folk here. The tunnels are interesting and quite unique to this area.
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
budzy829
Henderson, NV251 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
🎈Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail
•Easy hike - 7.5 miles Round Trip - 434 ft elevation change - Sand & Gravel Trail
•Remnants of the Hoover Dam's construction can be seen throughout the route. There are 5 tunnels total, each are approximately 300 ft in length, and 25 ft in diameter. Great panoramic views of #LakeMead and the Boulder Basin region along the journey
•Go early in the morning, it gets hot by 10 AM and afternoons get hot too!
•Easy hike - 7.5 miles Round Trip - 434 ft elevation change - Sand & Gravel Trail
•Remnants of the Hoover Dam's construction can be seen throughout the route. There are 5 tunnels total, each are approximately 300 ft in length, and 25 ft in diameter. Great panoramic views of #LakeMead and the Boulder Basin region along the journey
•Go early in the morning, it gets hot by 10 AM and afternoons get hot too!
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patt T
2 contributions
Jan 2023
It ends/begins on the top floor of the parking garage at the Hoover Dam. There was hardly any signage so we pretty much found it by accident and only because we knew it was there somewhere and were looking for it! the signs along the trails were very worn and not legible in places. It's a shame that it isn't maintained. Bikes aren't allowed in so if people rode over, there should be a safe place for them to leave bikes inside so they could tour the dam. We walked out from the dam and was hoping to see some of the tunnels and views but ran out of time. A trail map with distances would be helpful. I was glad I got to see some of it but there wasn't enough information on this end to explain what we were walking on.
Written 18 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda B
74 contributions
Jan 2023
It was a beautiful sunny day for a walk. As you walk you can see Lake Mead and stop and take pictures. Just to see the Hoover Dam and the bridge is awesome.
Written 18 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yorosey
Las Vegas, NV5,161 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
It is a nice trail along the south side of lake mead. You can walk through various tunnels and enjoy the views of the hills, lake, dessert and old railway tunnels. Not sure how long it takes to do full trail but we did just over hour walk and got to see at least 3 tunnels.
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cludasdulac
Torquay, UK99 contributions
Nov 2022
This really is a lovely walk, we always walk to the Hoover Dam have lunch and walk back. Great views of Lake Mead, we were lucky to see the Mountain goats on a stroll. Would recommend if you like walking.
Written 5 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Looking for place to hike with an extended family ranging in ages 16 months to 56 y/o. Will be in Vegas later half of July. I'm concerned about the heat....
Christina B
Louisiana2,712 contributions
This trail was great and easy. The Tunnels were interesting and the view of Lake Mead along part of it was nice. I will say were walked it in Aug and it was 100 degrees. Although it wasn’t really too bad going. The only shade is the tunnels themselves which are only about 100 feet or so long. After the first couple its pretty much the same so you really don’t need to walk the whole thing, although we did walk all the way to Hoover Dam and back. IF you only walk part of it up until the 2nd or 3rd tunnel it would only be about 3 miles round trip. Just a little up hill in the beginning but nothing strenuous. If you go all the way to Hoover Dam there are a few more strenuous areas coming back. Don’t count on an Uber or Lyft at HD. It was our intention to take one back to the car. None responded to us so after 1/2 hour cool off we hiked back. Bring water where ever you go. Use Sunscreen too.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park over in Red Rock has some great areas as well. We took a moonlight hike let by guide there. It was great. Look on the State Park link itself for info. Red Rock area itself has some great areas to hike.
Check out Mount Charleston as well. It’s a nice drive with some stop offs as well. Pretty areas when you get out of LV city area itself.
The Valley of Fire is awesome and lots of places that all ages can enjoy. It’s just north of LV about an hour. None of the hikes/walks are overly long. Most are easy to moderate. I’m 58 and had no issues with any of the things I’ve suggestion. My son and GF went to Valley of Fire this past year and LOVED it. They are 28. Cool Petroglyphs, along with the beautiful red waves, some walks are on sand. Lots of areas the kids can climb up on if they choose, especially for photos. Big rocks and stuff. Get a map when you enter. It will give you info on all stopping point and info about each. I think it was $10 to enter at the gate and get the free map there. It has some beautiful scenery and its a great day out.
If you can Look back in my reviews you can see photos and probably more info. The things I mention we did in Aug. of 2018.
Reviews not organized like they used to be since TA updated their site.
Have a great trip. IF you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon the drive there isn’t bad. A few hours. Hoover Dam is great along with a boat ride down the Colorado. We’ve done those too in the past. I’m not the biggest fan of the casinos, so every time we’ve been there we see things outside of LV when there for a show.
Jenigal
Dallas, TX6 contributions
Is there a fee to get into the Historic Railroad Trail?
JulieH2408
Kingsbridge, UK7 contributions
No it’s free. There is a small car park at the entrance which is also free.
As others have suggested, try to go earlier in the day as gets very hot.
mattrsunset
New York City, NY30 contributions
W'd like to walk the trail early April 2019. What temperature to expect? How long should leisurely hike take from trailhead to Hoover Dam? If we wish to access Hoover Dam, will there be issues carrying backpacks, water, etc.?
CrankingChick
Tucson, AZ7,872 contributions
I agree with TravelinLady- the weather is unpredictable that time of year so be prepared for a variety of conditions. We walked most of the trail and it is not very difficult or strenuous so you should be able to make good time, but you will want to take photos. Visitors are required to go through security screening. The website says small backpacks are permitted.
We are looking to bike the trail. Is there bicycle rental nearby?
AdventuringAF
Regina, Canada282 contributions
Yes! You can rent bikes at All Mountain Cyclery in Boulder City. I believe that they even provide pick up or drop off at the visitors centre which is close to the start of the trail. Definitely contact them to ask. Have fun!
John D
Charlotte130 contributions
Are there any tours that will take you through the tunnels? I have difficulty walking Thank you.
kenracine
Racine, WI147 contributions
I did not see any tour groups walking the trail. I never saw any advertised either. Bicycling would be fine, but there is no place close to rent bikes, except probably in a nearby city. There is free parking at the beginning of the trail. It is just below the visitors center on the road going to the Hoover Dam.
Hi just wondering if there is free parking near by?
Rob A
Toronto, Canada350 contributions
Yes there is free parking available at the Park information center and also at Hoover Dam.
Jay W
Almena, KS140 contributions
how far of a walk is it to the first few tunnels?
jameseZ1331GO
Las Vegas, NV5 contributions
For a casual hike with intensely beautiful views of Lake Mead, this ranks as one of the best.
Go to the National Park page on the Railroad Tunnel Trail (google search).
Good luck and take plenty of water and a snack, as it is a "Round Trip" from whichever end you start, unless you have a car parked at each end.
If you start at the Lake Mead side early enough, you can end up at the Hoover Dam and tour it before heading back. That would make quite a day, then end it up by driving to the new bypass bridge (Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge)
Good luck and have fun. These are three winners and will provide a full day of exercise and spectacular views and lasting memories of the West.
beaugeste2014
Las Vegas, NV
What is breakfast like here? Do they have wi-fi?
Craig M
Mishwaka, IN7 contributions
The trail is just that a trail, the only eating area is once you reach the Hoover Dam site. The trail is a fairly level path of a section once used by the railroad to get building material to the dam site during construction. There are no actual stop area for refreshments, water, etc. Wi-Fi? I'm sorry I can't answer that, if there is, it would be at the visitor center area at the dam site.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Historic Railroad Trail
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Historic Railroad Trail:
- Hoover Dam Electric Bike Tour (From ₹ 11,581.40)
- Hoover Dam Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide (From ₹ 1,248.96)
- Hoover Dam & Lake Mead Self-Guided Audio Tour (From ₹ 1,415.60)
- Hoover Dam And Red Rock Canyon Self-Guided Audio Tour (From ₹ 1,415.60)
- 2-Day Self-Guided Las Vegas Day Trips: Hoover Dam + Red Rock (From ₹ 1,582.24)
- Hotels near Historic Railroad Trail:
- (1.13 km) Hoover Dam Lodge
- (6.99 km) Boulder Dam Hotel
- (7.47 km) Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel
- (7.58 km) Sands Motel
- (2.77 km) Lake Mead RV Village
- Restaurants near Historic Railroad Trail:
- (0.88 km) Lake Mead Marina
- (1.08 km) The Boat House
- (1.18 km) The Big Horn Cafe
- (7.10 km) Coffee Cup Cafe
- (7.70 km) Fox Smokehouse BBQ