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Las Vegas is a great place where the fun never stops. However, the attractions that Nevada offers expand beyond the city limits. The state is blessed with picturesque landscapes, lots of nature and plenty of history.
If you are headed to the city and want to explore the nearby beauties, you are on the right page. Below, we are listing some of the best things to do outside Las Vegas.
How about a day trip away from the iconic Las Vegas Strip?
The landmarks below are ideal for day trips from Las Vegas or multi-day excursions. Most of them are in close proximity (at only a few hours away) from the city and can be easily reached by car. All of them are great for adventure seekers, hikers and nature enthusiasts. You can take a guided tour to explore each of them or visit on your own.
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is another major landmark close to Las Vegas. It is located on the western edge of the city, making it a quick escape for many of the locals. Characterized by the red rock hills, the area also offers great hiking trails.
Driving enthusiasts should know that there is a one-way 13 mile scenic loop in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is another thing you should put on your checklist when visiting this Las Vegas NV attraction. You can take the 13 mile drive by car or with an off-road vehicle.
Plenty of Las Vegas residents visit this area for hiking in the Red Rock Canyon and witnessing some spectacular views. You can visit the area in the spring and explore some of the scenic tours. Adventurers can choose from the numerous hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and off-road driving tours with motorized vehicles in the Red Rock Canyon, making most of the scenery and going for new kinds of adventures.
Toward the southern end of this natural landmark, you can reach the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and the Bonnie Springs Ranch which was sold in 2019 and closed to the public. The latter was also known for its replica of a western ghost town.
The Grand Canyon National Conservation Area is another buzzing spot close to Las Vegas and one of the popular places to visit. This attraction is located in Arizona and about 130 miles from the heart of Las Vegas, though the North Rim and South Rim are located over 270 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.
According to scientists, the Grand Canyon National Park formed 5 to 6 million years ago when the river began to cut its channel through layers or rock. At the time, humans have inhabited the area – in fact, the first Europeans to reach the Grand Canyon were the Spaniards in the 1540s. Since 1893, the Grand Canyon is protected as a forest reserve. In 1919, it became an official United States National Park.
Today, visitors go to the Grand Canyon to trace its geologic history on the Trail of Time, an interesting exhibit on the park's South Rim. The spectacular viewpoints in the Grand Canyon have also made the destination popular for adventurers and thrill seekers.
With more than five million visitors from all over the globe visiting the Grand Canyon each year, there are plenty of new developments. One of them is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which is a walkway with a glass floor that hangs over a western section of the Grand Canyon. All in all, one of the most famous and popular destinations close to Las Vegas.
Death Valley is located in California but can be visited on a day trip from Las Vegas. Surrounded by wilderness, the Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the United States (besides Alaska) and an International Biosphere Reserve.
Despite its morbid name, the Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes with plenty of contrasts. You can notice towering peaks frosted with winter snow, rare rainstorms, and tons of wildflowers. No wonder why it is a famous Las Vegas attraction.
You will be surprised to see dunes, fields of wildflowers, lakes and plenty of different colors. The sights don't require long walks, and some of the best highlights are Badwater Basin, the moving rocks at Race Track, the rolling hills at Zabriskie Point, and the viewpoint from Dante's View. Perfect for a road trip!
Because of this stunning location, Nevada is sometimes called "the Valley of Fire state." A trip from Las Vegas to the Valley of Fire State Park guarantees a lot of excitement, especially if you are into history and want to explore old signs carved on massive red rock formations in the Mojave Desert.
The Valley of Fire State Park is a great place for hiking, and a popular destination of Las Vegas residents and people living in Nevada. The trails here are short but lead you to some great sceneries. The area stretches around more than 42,000 acres of haunting sandstone creations which were formed by sand dunes that settled and solidified. The first human signs here date back to approximately 3,000 years ago.
From red rock formations to petroglyphs, the Valley Of Fire State Park is an interesting archeological spot. There are multiple opportunities to see wildlife, camp, and enjoy the scenery out in the open. To reach this magnificent landmark, you should take Interstate 15 north from the city and drive for about an hour.
The Zion National Park is hosting 2.5 million visitors per year, many of which are coming from Las Vegas. Located in SouthWestern Utah, it is the state's oldest and most visited national park that is located 160 miles from the city. The best driving route to take is Interstate 16, which offers some beautiful sights and won't take more than 2.5 hours.
The Zion National Park starts with the Zyon Canyon as the main attraction at the south end, exhibiting scenic rock formations, monolith structures and eroded canyon walls cut by the Virgin River. The 2,200 foot Great White Throne is another great highlight in the Zion National Park and the most popular landmark in the area. Others include the Court of the Patriarchs, Angel's Landing and the Watchman, all of which are interesting sights.
Other notable places to visit in this area are the hiking trails which are positioned all around the park – there are even areas that are so narrow so that hikers could nearly touch both sides of the canyon with their hands.
The town of Mount Charleston offers a nice change of scene and climate from the Sin City, which is why even locals consider it for a quick adventure. Positioned at 7,000 feet, it is an easy hour's drive from Las Vegas.
What looks like a cool escape in the summer can easily transform to a snowy wonderland in the winter. Every season is unique in Mount Charleston, and this place is unlike any desert nearby. No wonder why it is among the favorite national parks for locals.
The mountainous region is definitely a change compared to the desert ambiance near the city. Tall pines and fabulous trails for hiking are among the top-rated activities, whether you are looking for a refreshing break from the smoke filled casinos or an active weekend surrounded by nature. You can even spend a night in a hotel and enjoy the fresh air.
Over 25 endemic plant and animal species live in the "sky island" of Mount Charleston, and the scenery changes in different elevations. You can also take a guided tour to explore different trees, wildflowers, and oases.
There are trails for all skill levels, whether you want to hike, camp, climb cycle or drive. The city also offers fun to horseback riders who can choose from a variety of settings and indulge in the beauties of the Spring Mountains.
Lake Mead is easily on the list of best day trips from Las Vegas and the largest reservoir in the country created by the construction of the Hoover Dam. Lake Mead offers 750 miles of shoreline, which is plenty for many looking for relaxation.
Plenty of natural activities like swimming, boating, hiking, camping and fishing are all possible in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Ideal for a road trip from Sin City, this playground is located in America's First National Recreation Area that spreads across 1.5 million acres of scenic hills, canyons, valleys and lakes (Lake Mead and Lake Mohave).
Expect to see hills that look like purple majesties, breathe in fresh air and enjoy a day at the beach. When at Lake Mead, you can also take a boat out from Hemenway Harbor and nestle into a cove or take a cruise to the Hoover Dam. Beach enthusiasts should visit Boulder Beach for a lazy day or Callville Bay for water sports and activities.
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is easily one of the best spots nearby Las Vegas, Nevada for visitors who want to get away from the city and relax looking at or swimming in the blue waters surrounded by colorful desert.
The Colorado River is flowing near Las Vegas into the Gulf of California. It is a main source of freshwater and an attraction in many different areas of the country. Located close to the city of Las Vegas near Lake Mead, it offers the picturesque Black Canyon area where you can indulge in rafting tours and enjoy white water rafting activities under the dam.
One of the most scenic viewpoints in these rafting tours is going below the Hoover Dam bridge and exploring the incredible Black Canyon and all of the stone-made hills nearby. Going under the dam in a raft is a breathtaking experience you will remember.
Unlike the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon, the Bryce Canyon located in Utah is not a single canyon but a series of bowls carved into the edge of a high mountain. It is also a landmark where you can explore otherworldly sculptures that have been there for millions of years. This place is a main tourist attraction in the state and a spot where you can see natural stone sculptures.
The dead standing trees provide a lot of habitat – more than 85 species of North American birds build their nests in them. Nature enthusiasts can also spot mammals, lizards, insects and many other species that make the Bryce Canyon their home.
Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park is full of red-orange-pink amphitheaters that date back to 70 million years ago. Wind, water, and time eroded these sandstone cliffs into breathtaking characters that look almost intentional, yet perfectly surreal.
Boulder city is a town that is located 26 miles (45 minutes by car) southeast from Las Vegas. Known for the iconic Hoover Dam and the Boulder Dam Museum, it also has a power plant. It is also a place where you can hike – the Historic Railroad Trail is among the favorites for hikers.
Boulder City's downtown is not as big or fast-paced as Las Vegas' but is still a major landmark. The town has rich railroad history and offers a less frenetic, but still lively setting. The best times for visiting it are the spring and fall seasons, mostly because of the heat of the summer which can sometimes reach 100-degree-plus temperatures.
The famous Hoover Dam is part of the history of this town, and Boulder City's Boulder Dam Museum in downtown tells the story of its origin. You can expect stunning views and plenty of history when visiting this place. As the museum's website says, the Hoover Dam has a remote location and difficult terrain, which is why a town had to be built to house the construction companies and their workers. Because of these two landmarks, the city is often called Boulder Dam, too.
Hiking and cycling are also welcome in this city. You can take the 3.7 mile tour route and explore the tunnels built along with the Hoover Dam that burrow through the rugged volcanic rocks. The trail is rated easy and is among Nevada's most spectacular hikes. You can also see the bighorn sheep in the Hemenway Valley Park, visit Lake Mead (only 15 minutes away), or go for a drink in the downtown. Other tours of the Dam's neighboring power plant are offered, too.
Now is the best time to book a guided tour or just pick one of these locations and start your adventure. From the beauties of the popular Grand Canyon where you can enjoy breathtaking views to the trails at Mount Charleston, there are too many activities that can give you the recharge you deserve after a wild night in Las Vegas.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast who appreciates seeing more than just a hotel room and a full casino, you will absolutely love these attractions. All of the national parks, mountains, scenic viewpoints and other landmarks that are only a few hours away from the city and perfect for a day trip.
