Is There a Door in the Middle of the Hoover Dam?

The Hoover Dam is a true engineering marvel, with its massive concrete structure spanning the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. But one question that often comes up about the dam is whether or not there is a door in the middle of it. Many movie fans will have seen Clark open a door and almost throw himself down the face of the dam in Vegas Vacation.

Is there really a door like in Vegas Vacation?

The short answer is no, there is no door in the middle of the Hoover Dam. The door he opens actually just goes to a bathroom.

However, there are several access points and tunnels that run through the dam, allowing workers and maintenance crews to access different parts of the structure. These tunnels and access points are located in the base of the dam, not in the middle of it.

Lower Intake Tunnels

One of the most notable access points is the "lower intake tunnels," which are located at the base of the dam on the Nevada side. These tunnels were used to divert the Colorado River during the construction of the dam, and they now serve as a means of access for workers and maintenance crews.

Another important access point is the "penstock tunnels," which are located on the Arizona side of the dam. These tunnels carry water from the intake towers to the hydroelectric power generators located inside the dam.

So while there may not be a door in the middle of the Hoover Dam, there are certainly plenty of access points and tunnels that allow workers and maintenance crews to access different parts of the structure. These access points and tunnels are an important part of the dam's infrastructure, ensuring that it can continue to function properly and safely for many years to come. You can see this infrastructure on one of our Hoover Dam tours from Las Vegas.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the Hoover Dam is a massive structure that was built to withstand the forces of nature and provide electricity to the surrounding areas. It is a true marvel of engineering that is still in operation today. While there is no door in the middle of the dam, there are several access points and tunnels that allow workers and maintenance crews to access different parts of the structure. It is an important part of the dam's infrastructure, ensuring that it can continue to function properly and safely for many years to come.