Escape beyond the bright lights of Vegas. These day trips offer adventure, scenery, and memories that last long after the casino lights fade.
Quick facts
| Areas to know | The Strip, Downtown, Outside Vegas |
|---|---|
| Typical stay | 3 to 7 days |
| Airport | McCarran Intl Airport (LAS), about 10.6 km from the city centre in a straight line |
Las Vegas is full of neon lights, flashy hotels, and a non-stop party atmosphere, but even in a town that never sleeps, sometimes you just need a break from the endless Strip action. The great news is that there are some truly fantastic places just a short drive away, waiting to be found. Beautiful parks beckon, sleepy little towns are just down the road, and some cool landmarks are crying out to be visited.
And trust us, the views are a heck of a lot better than staring out of your hotel window. These 10 awesome day trips from Las Vegas, NV, are a blast, ridiculously easy to do, and will make your Vegas trip a whole lot more memorable. So take your keys and hit the road.
1. Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is just a hair away from Las Vegas, sitting about an hour outside the city. It's Nevada's oldest state park, and it's a real treat to see the bright red sandstone formations that've been brewing for millions of years. Popularity abounds at Elephant Rock, Fire Wave, and Atlatl Rock, places you could easily spend a few hours at, to say the least.
A couple of short trails make it easy to get a taste of the place in one day, and even at that, you're going to be heading back for more at sunset and sunrise when the colours are at their most lively. And don't worry, remember your water bottle: the desert doesn't mess around.
Address:
29450 Valley of Fire Rd, Overton, NV 89040
Hoover Dam is just a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas and sits proudly on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona. This engineering marvel was built back in the 1930s, and it's continuing along, controlling flooding and churning out hydroelectric power like a pro.
You can even walk across the top and take in the views of Lake Mead from the nearby bridge, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can even sign up for a guided tour to learn more about the dam's construction and its downright impressive engineering feats.
Address:
Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005
3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is roughly 40 minutes from Las Vegas and covers a big strip of land around Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. People flock to this place to get their boat, kayak, swimming, and scenic drive on, and you've got some top spots like Boulder Beach and the viewpoints along Northshore Road to look forward to.
The lake itself was created after Hoover Dam was completed, which is pretty cool when you think about it, given how often deserts and water don't exactly see eye to eye.
Address:
601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005
Red Rock Canyon is a quick 30-minute trip from the Las Vegas Strip and offers a real taste of the great outdoors, without having to give up all your urban comforts just yet. The main event is the 13-mile scenic drive with plenty of stops and trailheads dotted along the way, and some top hikes like Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon are just waiting to be tackled.
You've also got your red cliffs, rock formations, and deserted wildlife all converging for a pretty unbeatable show. And if you're short on time, you can pop by and get a taste of outer space for a day without having to completely give up your couch.
Address:
1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161
5. Seven Magic Mountains
Seven Magic Mountains is just a 25-minute drive south of Las Vegas and is home to seven big, brightly painted boulders stacked up in a row; a real marvel by artist Ugo Rondinone. The whole thing opened in 2016 and now sits pretty out in the desert for your viewing pleasure, which makes it more surreal, all things considered.
Most people spend something in the range of 30 to 60 minutes here, long enough to take it all in, but short enough to get on with the rest of your day without losing track of it.
Address:
S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054
6. Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are a 4.5-hour drive from Las Vegas and just outside the town of Page, Arizona, but trust us, they're worth the trek. Antelope Canyon is famous for the fascinating sandstone walls that've been shaped over time by wind and water, and yes, you'll need to take a guided tour to see it.
Meanwhile, Horseshoe Bend is just a short walk to a viewpoint that looks down over a pretty dramatic curve in the Colorado River. Many people combine the two in one trip, just don't be late; that drive is its own adventure.
Address:
Antelope Canyon: Navajo Tribal Park, Page, AZ 86040
Horseshoe Bend: Horseshoe Bend Trail, Page, AZ 86040
The Grand Canyon West Rim is just a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas, and it's the closest bit to do in a day. Visitors can wander around some of the viewpoints and check out the famous Skywalk glass walkway. The Colorado River carved out the canyon itself over millions of years, a geological process that took forever. Day trips from Las Vegas often include transport, which is a big help, especially considering the distance.
Address:
Grand Canyon West, 5001 Diamond Bar Rd, Peach Springs, AZ 86434
8. Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve is about 2 hours from Las Vegas and covers some pretty bleak but beautiful desert landscapes in southeastern California. Visitors can visit the Kelso Dunes, some of the volcanic formations, and see the Joshua trees in all their glory.
Roads connect a bunch of scenic stops, so you can make up your own itinerary for the day. It gets fewer visitors than all the other places nearby, so it's nice and peaceful, so peaceful in fact that at times you can actually hear your own footsteps.
Address:
2701 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311
9. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
Sloan Canyon is just 30 minutes from Las Vegas and is a great place to see some of the awesome ancient rock art left behind by Native peoples; over 10,000 images are scattered all over the place. The area also has loads of desert trails to visit, ranging from short little walks to more serious desert hikes. The scenery proves that Las Vegas has more than hotels and strategic air conditioning.
Address:
300 Petroglyph Canyon Trail, Henderson, NV 89052
Death Valley National Park is an easy 2 to 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas, and believe us, it's home to some of the hottest temperatures on the face of the Earth. There are a few must-see stops in the park: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and the Mesquite Flat Dunes are all pretty striking. The park has got all sorts of scenery: salt flats, mountains, and then just the most dramatic wide-open desert views. If you happen to go during the cooler months, that would really be the best time to visit, but if you do decide to head out in the summer, you'll need to plan, especially if you don't want to get heatstroke.
Address:
Death Valley National Park Visitor Center, CA-190, Furnace Creek, CA 92328
In a nutshell, make time for a Hoover Dam tour and visit places that prove the best Vegas views are often outside the city.
Stay at Park MGM Las Vegas close to T-Mobile Arena, popular restaurants, live entertainment, and famous Strip attractions.
The Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch runs 330 minutes, is rated 4.8 from 5821 reviews, and includes photo stops at the Dam Memorial Bridge, a step-on tour guide, a visitor center and exhibit tour and lunch. More are on the Las Vegas tours page.
March through May and September through November suit a visit, and a typical daily budget is about US$300 per person. The Las Vegas page has the city overview.