Historic Railroad Trail — Five Tunnels

Walk the abandoned railroad route that helped build Hoover Dam and disappear through five giant tunnels carved straight through volcanic rock.

The fifth tunnel is about 2.2 miles from the trailhead. The old railroad hauled materials used to build Hoover Dam.

ONCE YOU’RE THERE

Park in the Historic Railroad Trail lot below the visitor center on Lakeshore Road. Join the wide, hard-packed railroad grade and follow it toward Hoover Dam. Stay on the main railroad bed as it contours above Boulder Basin and continue through Tunnels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Once you've cleared Tunnel Five, turn around and retrace the same route to the trailhead.

LOCAL INTEL

Find the view where one tunnel perfectly frames the next.

TRAIL CONDITIONS & SAFETY

Summer temperatures can reach dangerous levels and the route is not recommended during summer heat. The railroad grade is highly exposed, especially before the tunnels. Essentially no shade for the first 1.5 miles.

FEES & ACCESS

Access to the Historic Railroad Trailhead is within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Current standard entrance fees are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per person entering on foot or bicycle; qualifying passes may cover admission.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The trail is maintained year-round, but the exposed route has little shade and dangerous heat is a recurring warm-season concern. Cooler fall-through-spring conditions are generally better suited to the outing.