The Best Las Vegas Day Trippers
In the Nevada desert, Las Vegas may be an oasis, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only thing to do. Las Vegas is the epicenter for tons of fantastic destinations outside the city limits, from modern marvels to nature’s most beautiful creations. So, buckle up and pack some snacks for your road trip, because we have a list of the best day trips from Las Vegas, starting with the most distant.
RED ROCK CANYON
23-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 23 miles
Price: $15 per vehicle
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO RED ROCK CANYON NOW
The ultimate outdoor Las Vegas excursion, Red Rock Canyon is a gorgeous, coppery conservation area filled with natural wonder. There are over 26 hiking trails across the canyon and you can choose from simple walks to vigorous uphill climbs, each of which will take you to some wonderful places. You should be careful with desert wildflowers that bloom in the late March to May period.
The petroglyphs are one of the most fascinating things in this area, just a short drive from Willow Springs Picnic Area, and they’re believed to have been drawn more than 800 years ago.
VALLEY OF FIRE
56-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 49 miles
Price: $10 per vehicle
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO VALLEY OF FIRE NOW
It is about an hour’s drive from Sin City, and this State Park of Natural Archeological Wonders makes it one of the best places for a trip by car. The landscape, with its unique name coming from a striking Aztec sandstone that looks like it has been set on fire by direct sunlight, was created by shifting dunes more than 150 million years ago. This ancient country, which holds the 2,500-year-old petroglyphs, geology marvels, and even dinosaur fossil bones that any rock lover wants to go looking for, is filled with hidden treasures. We recommend the Fire Wave, iconoclastic Elephant Trail, and Petroglyphs covered Atlatl Rock if you need any advice on what to see first.
You’ll only need $10 to get your day pass, which will give you access to the whole park for a hike, rock climbing or simply drive out into the scenery. It’s only $20 for a tent or $30 for a full hookup if you want to camp out and see the stars. For your vacations, Valley of Fire is the perfect place to hang out. Take a few photos of that place, and you’ll have the entire office envious.
HOOVER DAM
45-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 37 miles
Price: FREE but tours are extra
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO HOOVER DAM NOW
The most ambitious project in human history is the Hoover Dam. Between Nevada and Arizona, it is towering at a monstrous 726 feet over the Colorado River. Furthermore, it is only a hop, skip, and drop from the shining lights of Las Vegas.
To learn how this dam generates electricity and what it’s doing for the vicinity of the desert, select from either a 30-minute or 1-hour narrated tour that will take you down in the bowels of the dam. Doesn’t want to be taken on a tour? It’s free to walk along the top and take in the scenery, plus you can still learn a thing or two with the many informative plaques lining the walkway.
If you don’t mind a little bit of walking, there is paid parking in front of the visitor center and free parking on the Arizona side.
Bonus stop: Once you’re done touring the Hoover Dam, head into Boulder City for even more fun. The charming little city has become one of the region’s major historical sites, a hub for growth in the 1930s. You can explore the Nevada State Railway Museum, look through a variety of antique shops such as Goat Feathers Emporium in downtown Las Vegas, or watch classic Hollywood horror movies at Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum.
The Boulder Dam Brewing Co. is also worth a stop, and then you’ll want to fill your belly at one of the city’s many restaurants.
The Boulder Dam Brewing Co. is also worth a stop, and then you’ll want to fill your belly at one of the city’s many restaurants. The elegant Boulder Dam Hotel, built in 1933, was the first place for many celebrities when the dam was built, so you can make this day trip into an overnight stay.
Watch out for spirits during your stay, reports of ghostly hands grabbing tourists and mysterious music make this not only one of the grandest hotels in Boulder City but also one of the spookiest.
GRAND CANYON
2 hour and 13-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 126 miles to the West Rim
Price: $56 per person
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO THE GRAND CANYON NOW
It’s a great canyon, as big as 1,902 square miles, and takes months to explore all of it. The West Rim is more than just the nearest to Sin City, and also a perfect tourist destination if you want to explore this canyon in all its glory for one day.
A great glass-bottomed Skywalk, an adrenaline-pumping zip line, and lots of restaurants to enjoy some food and lovely views are among the highlights of the West Rim. There are sacred Native American sites in this section of the Grand Canyon, and there’s a cultural center for anyone who wants to learn more about the Hualapai people.
Free parking and shuttle service to the West Rim gates is provided, but there are no spaces available in the reservation. In Peach Springs, Arizona, you can get a kick out of historic Route 66 if you’ve got some extra time. You can explore the cavern of the Grand Canyon from here, or take a raft trip on the Colorado River. Remember, bring back a souvenir from the old Peach Springs Trading Post!
7 MAGIC MOUNTAINS
35-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 25 miles
Price: FREE
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You might have seen seven tall neon figures in the distance if you had driven a long way from Los Angeles to Vegas. This collection of brightly-colored boulders is an art installation called the 7 Magic Mountains.
This sculpture, which was made by Swedish artist Ugo Rondinone in 2016, represents a symbolic middle line between natural and artificial. In contrast to the harsh desert landscape and a nearby freeway, artificial daylight’s colors stand out. Each boulder was created by blowing up rocks in the nearby Apex Quarry and hoping that the right sizes emerged from the rubble. The total amount required for the creation of this $3-million-dollar exhibition was 33 boulders and five years.
It’s free for everyone to enjoy the beauty of this magnificent monument built on public land and it will be here until 2021, so you can take several photos in the desert. Every image of this bright sculpture is Instagram-worthy.
LAKE MEAD
40-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 32 miles
Price: $25 per vehicle
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO LAKE MEAD NOW
The Nevada desert isn’t known for its large bodies of water, but believe it or not, Las Vegas is home to one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. So, Lake Mead is the place that you can go to have a little fun in the water. Before cooling down in one of the swimming areas, take the boat out for some high-speed adventure or bike along the trails.
There are plenty of driving tours at the lake if you’d like someone to show you around. So take a break, relax, and enjoy these amazing views of the desert oasis. You don’t need this much for you? They also have kayaking, camping, hiking trails, fishing, horseback riding, scuba diving and so much more.
MOUNT CHARLESTON
48-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 39 miles
Price: FREE
Snow? In Las Vegas? Impossible! But it hasn’t happened yet. Every year a layer of snow is brought up on Mount Charleston, just outside the city limits to be enjoyed by visitors. There’s even a ski and snowboarding resort in Las Vegas, which would allow you to get on the slopes. Foxtail or Old Mill picnic areas are excellent places to play in the snow. Both rooms have lots of parking and heated bathrooms so you’re not frozen to your seats and a fire pit.
During the winter, Mount Charleston isn’t just a great day trip from Las Vegas. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and horseback riding, as well as camping on the mountain. If you want to go up the mountain, we recommend visiting Gilcrease Orchard this fall. These are the sites where locals go to pick apples and pumpkins while they enjoy their apple cider. Mount Charleston is a way to get away if you want to survive the desert heat.
AREA 51
2 hour and 14-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 147 miles
Price: FREE
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO AREA 51 NOW
Do you constantly hear the theme song for “X Files” in your head? You’ve got a story about an alien abduction? Do you get both excitement and anger from the name Roswell? If so, you might as well go for a day trip to Area 51. You’re technically not allowed to visit Area 51, it’s a closed military base, all that sort of stuff, but you could get very close. This is an amusing fact, when the Las Vegans in Area 51 go to and from work at McCarran airport each day, they’re flying on a plane. You’re talking about an interesting commute, aren’t you? They’re saving a lot of money on gas.
The city of Rachel, Nevada is your home base to a facility that has always been shrouded in mystery. This little city with 54 inhabitants is a gateway to the greater unknown, situated on the Extraterrestrial Highway. Their local watering hole, The Little A Le Inn Bar and Motel serves the world-famous “alien burger” and has tons of options for an out-of-this-world souvenir.
For more alien-themed adventures, head farther down the highway to the Alien Research Center, where you can get the facts on Area 51. When you see a big silver extraterrestrial out front, you’ll know that you are there.
DEATH VALLEY
2 hour and 22-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 150 miles
Price: $30 per vehicle
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO DEATH VALLEY NOW
It’s known as Death Valley, but this is a National Park filled with life and entertainment. As you walk the miles of trail, sit and look at blooming desert flowers in spring, keep an eye out for coyotes, bighorn sheep or foxes. You can even take your furry companion for a walk along the scenic route, as long as they’re leashed.
You’re a Skywalker fan, aren’t you? You can visit Tatooine all around Death Valley to see the Hollywood filming spots for Episodes IV and VI. But you’ll have to stay till the end of the night if you want to see the galaxy far, far away. Death Valley has some of the darkest skies in the world, so it is one of the best places for stargazing certified as a third International Dark Sky Park. With a hotel or campsite available every year you can even stay overnight in the park.
Although there’s some caution, summer months are hot and night temperatures have been more than 100F all the time, so we advise you to go during autumn or spring for good weather.
ZION NATIONAL PARK
2 hour and 35-minute drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 160 miles
Price: $30 per vehicle
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO ZION NATIONAL PARK NOW
The name of the National Park is called Heaven City, and you’ll see why that was a good fit when you walk into the gates. The luminous land is home to bold geological features, variety of wildlife and a wide range of natural recreational activities. You can begin your journey by driving across the Zion Mount Carmel Highway, where you will see dramatic views of the landscape from high up in the valley.
Observation areas line the entirety of the highway, and you can find easy parking for the Canyon Overlook Trail, a one-mile hike perfect for a quick adventure. If you’re not looking to see any highlights, the park provides a shuttle bus for travelers taking the best route that will let you choose as many of your favorite sights as possible.
For avid hikers, Zion National Park varies from the paved Riverside Walk to the strenuous, like the 8-mile Observation Point trail that gives visitors a fantastic view of Angel’s Landing and the Virgin River. There’s also the Emerald Pool, which features a natural waterfall cascading on three levels surrounded by lush forest. It’s being described as the most peaceful part of the Park, and it was one of the prettiest.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
4-hour drive
Distance from Las Vegas: 260 miles
Price: $35 per vehicle
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO BRYCE CANYON NOW
It’s for true road warriors, this is it. If you’re into outdoor adventures, why don’t you take a trip to the Pink Canyons and Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon? This national park in Utah is perfect for year-round fun and with tons of hiking, camping, and snowshoeing. As there are a wide variety of plants and animals in Bryce Canyon, such as pronghorn deer, sylvatic dog or mountain lions, you should be aware of the wildlife. You can get a photograph to take home as a souvenir when you are calm and cautious.
Even during the year, they have several festivals. The yearly Geology Festival is held in July at the park, during which tourists will be able to see some amazing geologic wonders and fossils. Perfect for family vacations, they offer guided walks, paintings, and tons of exhibits to learn the history of this strange landscape. If you are more of an evening owl, they have the finest Astronomy Festival on earth. During the day, the kiddies can build model rockets to launch into the sky as well as listen to keynote speakers like top NASA astrologists. But in the evening, when they are assembling an observatory field, that party will start to get going. Guests are allowed to watch stars up close, listening to stories in an open plaza.
Finally, Las Vegas offers more than glittering lights on the Strip and provides a gateway to an impressive number of fascinating day trips. There are a variety of options for nature lovers and history enthusiasts, as well as the adventurous among us, ranging from spectacular geology wonders in Red Rock Canyon to Hoover Dam’s engineering marvel. There’s something just a few miles from the city for everyone, whatever their tastes are when it comes to the art appeal of 7 Magic Mountain, extraterrestrial fascination in Area 51, or peaceful beauty at Lake Mead.
Further, people willing to explore a little more are invited to visit the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the mysterious Death Valley landscape, and the natural beauty of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. These day trips are not just splendid scenery but also allow exploring outdoor activities, cultural explorations as well as a hint of astronomy in the vast desert sky.
So, consider going on one of these memorable journeys if you’ve got an hour to spare in Las Vegas. A wide variety of experiences ensures that somewhere beyond the city borders there is always something new and exciting to be experienced, whether you are an adventurous daytime adventurer or a night owl. Now, get down on the road, and let’s have some adventures in this charming landscape around the world’s entertainment capital.