The canyon is located on the Colorado River at the state line between Nevada and Arizona.

The canyon formed about 15 million years ago during the Miocene Basin and Range uplift.

[1] Just south of the Hoover Dam on the Nevada side of the canyon is the Sauna Cave.

Boy Scout Canyon has water running through it that is warmed from a geothermal source.

[2] On the Arizona side of the river, there are several large hot springs that can be found by taking a trail north from a larger bay about 4 to 5 miles (6.4 to 8.0 km) south of the Hoover Dam.