Although Sin City is best known for its neon lights and casinos, there is far more to the Las Vegas area than just glitzy shows and slot machines. Las Vegas (or “the meadows” in Spanish) is situated in a basin within the Mojave Desert, and is surrounded on all sides by various mountain ranges, lakes, and recreation areas — which means there are outdoor adventures aplenty to be had in the area. These 10 amazing Las Vegas outdoor adventures will show you a whole different side of Sin City, and they’re all within a one-hour drive of downtown. Bonus: They’re all kid-friendly too. Next time you and the family are in Vegas, throw your hiking boots into your suitcase and venture off-Strip for one or more of these super fun outdoor things to do in Las Vegas.
1. Visit Valley Of Fire State Park
Nevada’s oldest state park is a scenic one-hour drive from Las Vegas, and is named because the Aztec sandstone in the park’s rock formations is such a vivid red color that the reflection of the sun makes the rocks look as if they’re on fire. The park is also home to petrified trees and a large number of more than 2,000-year-old petroglyphs created by the area’s original inhabitants, the Ancestral Puebloan people.
2. Hike On Mt. Charleston
One of the most popular spots for hikers in the area, Mt. Charleston is just a 50-minute drive from Las Vegas and offers more than 40 scenic trail options from easy to strenuous. If you take on the challenge of the 16-mile round-trip trek to the mountain’s summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Las Vegas. Make sure to take a peek at the mountain’s massive 3,000-year-old bristlecone pine tree while you’re there. If you visit in winter, you’ll find a small ski area too.
3. Get Wet At Lake Mead
The largest reservoir in the U.S., Lake Mead and the adjacent Hoover Dam sit within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which was established in 1947. Just 30 minutes from Las Vegas, Lake Mead is a popular area for swimming, boating, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. If you have time, take a tour of the dam, or go looking for the remains of St. Thomas, a ghost town that was fully submerged when Lake Mead was filled in the 1930s and has since re-emerged, as water levels have dropped due to drought.
4. Explore Red Rock Canyon
Less than 30 minutes from downtown Las Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is full of unique rock formations made up of sandstone peaks in a variety of stunning shades of red. It’s a popular spot for hiking and rock climbing, and also offers a picnic area and visitor center. To explore by car, try the 13-mile scenic drive loop, which is a less strenuous way to admire the gorgeous red rocks throughout the canyon.
5. Get Spooked At Nelson Ghost Town
Abandoned since the 1940s, the ghost town of Nelson, Nevada is an interesting piece of history. Gold was discovered in the area in the 1860s, and that gave rise to a boomtown that thrived until the gold ran out. With its abandoned buildings and many curiosities, this eccentric little town is well worth visiting if you like a bit of a spooky thrill. Explore on your own, or with one of the town’s scheduled tour groups.
6. Paddle The Black Canyon
Officially known as the Black Canyon National Water Trail, this 30-mile trail stretch of the Colorado River is full of beaches, caves, wilderness, hot springs, and wildlife like bighorn sheep. Schedule a tour by kayak or raft, which will leave from just outside the Hoover Dam, and float or paddle down the river with a guide at a leisurely pace. You’ll enjoy the unsullied scenery of the surrounding Mojave Desert, just 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas.
7. Take A Scenic Hot Air Balloon Ride
Just an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, see the sunrise over the scorching sands of the Mojave Desert at an elevation of 10,000 feet from the basket of a vibrant hot air balloon. Watch for wildlife and get a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the desert, mountains, Death Valley, and even eastern California. Balloon rides last 45-60 minutes and usually include a champagne toast upon landing — it’s definitely one of the most unique outdoor things to do in Las Vegas.
8. Soak In The Hot Springs
Enjoy a nice soothing soak in the 110-degree waters of one of the area’s hot springs, and you’ll feel like a whole new person. The Arizona Hot Springs and the Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs are both located just above the Colorado River about a 30-minute drive from Las Vegas. Both hot springs can be accessed by boat via the Black Canyon National Water Trail, or by hiking in on foot (roughly six miles). Because of the summer’s high temps, the pools are closed May through September.
9. See Wildlife At Las Vegas Springs Preserve
The Las Vegas Springs Preserve is an outdoor nature center that offers a wide variety of activities the whole family will enjoy. The 180-acre preserve offers wildlife walks, animal encounters, geology and science exhibits, and even a botanical garden. It’s a fun and educational place to visit for the whole family. Don’t miss the seasonal butterfly habitat, open in the spring and fall.
10. Admire Seven Magic Mountains
Less than 15 minutes from Las Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains is a public art installation by internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Observe seven 30-foot-high towers made up of gigantic boulders stacked one on top of the other, each painted a different bright color. The towers are huge, they’re colorful, and they’re unique. You won’t find bright colors like these in any other desert in the world!
What About The Grand Canyon?
Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is fun to explore and full of beautiful scenery. The only reason why it didn’t make it on the list of top outdoor adventures is that you can’t drive to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas in under an hour. To access the park’s West Rim, it’ll take you 2.5 hours by car. The South Rim is 4.5 hours, and the North Rim is 5.5 hours from Las Vegas by car. Many people do make a day trip from Las Vegas to the West Rim and back in a single day, which is completely doable if it works for you and your travel crew.
If you’re looking for more cool Las Vegas outdoor adventures, check out this handy article for more information on the amazing state and national parks in the area. For more fun Vegas activities, read this article on cool things to do in Las Vegas, or this listicle of the top five non-gambling activities the Strip has to offer. This Las Vegas travel diary from fellow RCI traveler Adrienne has some great tips, too.
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