There’s more to Nevada than the Entertainment Capital of the World
By Erin Karasewski
When spending time in Las Vegas, it can often seem the city is the center of the universe, with its endless array of lights, activities and nightlife. In actuality, the Sin City’s charms aren’t all Nevada has to offer, as several alluring natural landscapes reside a just few hours away.
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Those seeking to explore more than casinos can satisfy their adventurous side with a day trip in numerous directions, with all roads leading somewhere picturesque. Here are a few of those road trips:
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas to Boulder City, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
The quaint town of Boulder City stands 26 miles southeast of Las Vegas, but its core characteristics are as distant from Vegas as can be. The town of just over 15,000 is one of only two cities in Nevada that prohibits gambling. While gambling won’t be on the docket for your group, there is still plenty to do in the area from the Nevada State Railroad Museum, which features numerous locomotive exhibits, to Hemenway Park, home to a litany of bighorn sheep. The city’s claim to fame, though, is its close proximity to Hoover Dam, which resides eight miles away.
The Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 and is considered by many one of the Top 10 construction achievements of the 20th century. A National Historic Landmark, the dam is the highest concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere, standing more than 725 feet above the Colorado River. With 17 generators producing 4 billion kilowatts of electricity per year, it’s also one of the country’s largest hydroelectric power facilities. Visitors can drive across the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge and enjoy spectacular views that were once only available by helicopter.
If water is a part of your group’s idea of a good time, then don’t forget to visit the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Home to the largest man-made lake, which stretches more than 100 miles behind Hoover Dam, there is plenty to do from partaking on a sightseeing cruise on the lake to hiking exquisite trails such as the Historic Railroad Trail that offers stunning views of Boulder Basin. Visit Boulder Beach if you’re looking for a quick swim in the crystal-clear waters.
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Mesquite Falcon Ridge Golf Course
Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park, Lost City Museum and Mesquite
Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest state park, resides 49 miles northeast of the city. Esteemed for its nearly 46,000 acres of brilliant red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, the park is home to ancient, petrified trees dating back more than 2,000 years. The park’s name stems from sandstone formations which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. These features often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays. The park is home to a visitor center plus facilities for picnicking, camping and hiking.
Head nine miles north to Overton where the group will find the Lost City Museum. Created by the National Park Service, this museum exhibits artifacts recovered from local prehistoric archaeological sites and features a Native American pit house and reconstructed pueblos visitors can step foot in. Groups itching to play some golf would do well to travel 42 miles northeast to Mesquite, a golfing mecca featuring a slew of top courses, restaurants and resorts.
Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Goodsprings
The scenic rock formations of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are located a mere 16 miles west of Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon contains a one-way 13-mile scenic loop drive where visitors can admire the park’s sandstone peaks and walls that reach up to 3,000 feet high. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the park’s 26 numbered hikes and trails, where they will encounter Triassic fossils and various desert flora along with panoramic views of the park.
If you have time and want to escape the desert heat, consider making your way north to Mount Charleston, which is drastically cooler than Las Vegas. Home to green trees in the middle of a desert, don’t miss the plentiful trails and hikes the peak has to offer.
Ten miles east of Red Rock Canyon is Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, a park that has historically been used as a working ranch and luxury retreat by numerous owners, including reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Visitors can explore some of the oldest buildings in Nevada, including an 1860s blacksmith shop and a sandstone cabin that was home to the park’s founding family. The park also hosts night hikes in the hot summers, perfect for avid star gazers.
Forty-two miles south of Mountain Ranch is the tiny town of Goodsprings, which boasts a population of 229 people. Goodsprings is home to the famous Pioneer Saloon, one of the oldest saloons in Nevada. Built in 1913, the saloon is best known for being the spot actor Clark Gable resided in for three days as he waited for word of the fate of his wife, Carole Lombard, who died in a plane crash near Mount Potosi. The bar also houses bullet holes in its exterior, showing a hint of its Wild West past, and is said by many to be haunted.
Looking to extend your trip? Read about the TOP camping destinations of the West!
Las Vegas to Cathedral Gorge State Park, Echo Canyon State Park and Rainbow Canyon
This scenic day trip is for nature lovers. Your group will make various stops on the showstopping route from Las Vegas. First, visit Cathedral Gorge State Park, a geological wonder with its spiked buttes and columns rising skyward, spanning 2,000 acres. Stop at Miller’s Point Overlook for panoramic views before heading to the next destination. You’ll need to keep going north to get to Echo Canyon State Park, a hidden gem of a nature reserve. Spot golden eagles along with plenty of birdlife within this park while admiring the views of Ash Canyon.
Next, you’ll head back south and turn onto State Highway 317, the 21-mile scenic drive home to Rainbow Canyon. Flanked by the Clover and Delamar Mountains, the highway follows the Meadow Valley Wash, where you can spot cottonwood trees and other breathtaking, colorful wildlife, proving that the canyon earned its kaleidoscope title. On your way back Las Vegas, you’ll have to make a stop at the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge to complete your group’s immersive nature experience. The sprawling 5,380 refuge is a sanctuary to many wildlife and offers an array of flora and fauna.
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Pioneer Saloon
Las Vegas to Various National Parks
Vegas is within two to three hours of many national parks. To the northeast, you can visit Zion National Park, known for its challenging hikes that take you through miles of water. This park isn’t recommended for beginners, though it does have areas you can observe the pretty scenery the park offers. Also to the northeast, a bit past Zion, is the jack of all trades national park, Bryce Canyon. It’s said to have the rock formations of the Grand Canyon, the color of Red Rock, and the mountainous terrain of Mount Charleston.
Directly west, your group can experience Death Valley National Park. If the Las Vegas heat isn’t enough for you, make your way to the hottest place in the United States, arguably the world. With gasp-worthy geological history and Old West remnants, the heat isn’t the only thing worth experiencing in the valley found 282 feet below sea level.
Two other national parks worth mentioning: Great Basin and Grand Canyon. Lying in opposite directions of Las Vegas, both parks are over four hours away from Las Vegas, stretching the probability of a day trip. However, if the group can, these two parks can’t be missed. Grand Canyon National Park speaks for itself with the title as “One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.” Take a helicopter tour of the deep, colorful canyon or even venture through it on horseback. Great Basin National Park is Nevada’s only national park. It’s home to the state’s only alpine glacier, Wheeler Peak, and many other ecosystems, including the Lehman Caves.
With considerable distance between the parks and Las Vegas, think about turning the day trip into an overnight journey, ensuring that the group can enjoy the parks full experience.
Want more nature inspired trips? Check out our FREE Wyoming and Montana itineraries!
