The journey begins at the Lake Mead Visitor Center. From there, you’ll pass the Lake Mead Marina, a vibrant hub of recreational activities. As you drive on, take in the array of colored rocks astride the cliffs! You’ll learn about the area’s fascinating geologic history which encompasses billions of years.

Then delve into the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Contemplate the methods they used to divert water to crops, including hand-dug ditches and canals! You’ll also pass the hot springs which ancient Paleo-Indians found therapeutic and sacred. Look for traces of beaver dams along the river! The journey nears its end with further tales of the water wars, the murderous secrets of Lake Mead, the B-29 crash, and the devastating impact of the Mega Drought.

You might make a detour to the right to pass the St. Thomas Trail. Or you might head on straight to the famed Valley of Fire with its sandstone outcrops, the culmination of shifting sand dunes. Pass by the Historic Cabins built by the CCC, which hold petroglyphs behind their foundations. The journey comes to its end after the White Dome trail, with its supposedly turtle-like formation.

Journey through Lake Mead's geological history over billions of years
Delve into tales of native Colorado River tribes and their rich ways of life
Learn of great explorers and the fights to conserve water
Marvel at the imposing structure of the historic Hoover Dam
Experience the vibrant outcrops in the Valley of Fire

Important to know

Know in advance:

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The tour operator's app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Please don't wait until you are on-site
Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket