When I was a Cub Scout leader, the Historic Railroad Tunnels were one of my favorite day hikes. Unfortunately, the trail is currently closed at Tunnel #3 due to deterioration of the tunnel support beams, but the trail remains open from both ends up to Tunnel #3.
In 1931 a railroad spur was built to haul equipment and supplies from Las Vegas-to-Boulder City and then on to the Hoover Dam construction site. In order to reach the site, a railroad grade was built using cut-and-fill when possible, but in five places tunnels had to be drilled through solid rock. When the dam was completed in 1935, the rail line was used for an number of years and then the spur line was abandoned in 1961, after the last generator was hauled to the power plant. Years later, the tracks were removed and the railroad grade was converted to a hiking trail.
Although the trail starts at Pacifica Way in Boulder City, most people start this hike at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Alan Bible Visitor Center, which is located just outside of the Park entrance along U.S. Highway 93. From the Visitor Center parking lot, there are nice views of Lake Mead and the Marina at Hemenway Harbor.
Before the trail closure at Tunnel #3, it was possible to follow the old railroad grade and hike from the Alan Bible Visitor Center to the Hoover Dam Visitor Center. At the Hoover Dam end of the trail there is a metal bridge that connects the trail to the roof of the Hoover Dam Visitor Center parking structure.
If you don't like crowded day hikes, this hike can also be made at night. And, if you bring your own "campfire," you can even have S'mores at the end of the hike.
BONUS PICTURE
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