An abandoned railroad track used in the construction of the world-famous Hoover Dam is now a popular hiking trail in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Built in the early 1930s, the 30-mile railroad system employed nine steam trains, four gas trains and 71 people. Today most of the abandoned railroad bed is unusable or underwater, but a little less than four miles has been designated as a national recreation trail.
The railroad closed in 1961, and the track was dismantled in 1962.
Flickr / Don Barrett
It was built to aid in the construction of the Hoover Dam.
Public Domain The railroad connected Boulder City with the services it needed to build the dam, including a concrete mixing plant, gravel plant and gravel beds.
The abandoned railroad track reopened as a trail in 1995.
Yelp / Dan S. Today the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail offers a leisurely 3.7-mile walk from Lake Mead to the Hoover Dam. The abandoned railroad trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The trail begins near the Alan Bible Visitor Center at Lake Mead.
TripAdvisor / mini
Hikers are led through five tunnels.
Flickr / Don Barrett
Flickr / Don Barrett
Flickr / Don Barrett Each tunnel is about 300 feet long and 25 feet wide.
It’s an easy hike along flat dirt and gravel surfaces.
Flickr / Lake Mead NRA Public Affairs
Flickr / Don Barrett
It’s also a great place to go running,
Flickr / Jill
Flickr / Jill
Biking,
Flickr / Aaron M.
Or horseback riding.
Yelp / Emily R.
There are plenty of spots to rest and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Mead.
Yelp / Laurie V.
Yelp / Priscilla Y.
Flickr / Don Barrett
Yelp / Ron W.
You may also come across wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep,
Yelp / Micah L.
Goats,
TripAdvisor / KaseJason
Birds,
Yelp / Daniel S.
Lizards,
Daniel S.
and other less natural sights.
Yelp / Ron W.
TripAdvisor / DutchKathy The Hoover Dam Lodge
Yelp / Norm K. These broken concrete plugs were used as placeholders in the powerhouse floor of the Hoover Dam. They were later removed so the generators could be installed.
The trail ends on the top floor of the Hoover Dam parking garage in Boulder City.
Yelp / Wyster M.
Yelp / Micah L. You can view the Hoover Dam from here or trek a bit farther and walk across the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tilman Memorial Bridge. The arch bridge spans the Colorado River, connecting Nevada and Arizona.
Happy trails!
Yelp / Ania K.
Ready for some more hiking fun? Try one of these 8 Hiking Trails That Will Lead You To Unforgettable Places.
Flickr / Don Barrett
Public Domain
The railroad connected Boulder City with the services it needed to build the dam, including a concrete mixing plant, gravel plant and gravel beds.
Yelp / Dan S.
Today the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail offers a leisurely 3.7-mile walk from Lake Mead to the Hoover Dam. The abandoned railroad trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
TripAdvisor / mini
Flickr / Don Barrett
Each tunnel is about 300 feet long and 25 feet wide.
Flickr / Lake Mead NRA Public Affairs
Flickr / Jill
Flickr / Aaron M.
Yelp / Emily R.
Yelp / Laurie V.
Yelp / Priscilla Y.
Yelp / Ron W.
Yelp / Micah L.
TripAdvisor / KaseJason
Yelp / Daniel S.
Daniel S.
TripAdvisor / DutchKathy
The Hoover Dam Lodge
Yelp / Norm K.
These broken concrete plugs were used as placeholders in the powerhouse floor of the Hoover Dam. They were later removed so the generators could be installed.
Yelp / Wyster M.
You can view the Hoover Dam from here or trek a bit farther and walk across the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tilman Memorial Bridge. The arch bridge spans the Colorado River, connecting Nevada and Arizona.
Yelp / Ania K.
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