Entertainment Capital of the World…or Outdoor Enthusiast Hot Spot?
There is so much more to our glorious city than slot machines, table games, night clubs, expensive dinners, and 3-foot daiquiris.
I convinced my now-husband (then-boyfriend) to move to Las Vegas by echoing the claims of an old National Geographic article I read as a teenager: that Las Vegas was an ideal place for any outdoorsman because of its proximity to so many national and state parks. He was in town staying at the Bellagio when I picked him up for our first date, and I gave him two options: East or West? The date ended up going well enough that we did both—first we went West to the Red Rock National Conservation Area, and then East to Lake Mead National Recreation area…he moved to Las Vegas 3 months later, proposed 3 months after that, and married me a year later. The Southwest is THAT good! 😉
I grew up in Boulder City and spent much of my childhood camping and boating all over the Southwest. I couldn’t wait to share those experiences with him… and now I am sharing some of that insight with you. So, grab your favorite road trip snacks, a good amount of water, your favorite play list, and let’s hit the road.
Part 1: Day Trips – these can all be visited in a day with an early start time
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – Las Vegas’s backyard
Distance: 20 Miles and 30 Min from The Strip
Why go?
Stunning Red Rocks and exceptional views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Home to some of the best bouldering and rock climbing in the U.S.
Tips & Tricks:
Since 2020 the park now requires a reservation, book in advance here, https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/fees/
Calico Basin is the turn off to the east of entering the park. Equally beautiful and less trafficked.
Pack a lunch/picnic. My favorite local place to pick up sandwiches The Butcher Block & Proper Sandwich and Co.
Really looking for fun. Book a Pink Jeep Off Road Tour
Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Home of the Hoover Dam
Distance: 30 Miles and 40 Minutes
Why go?
Largest freshwater reservoir in the country.
Hoover Dam–if you haven’t seen it, you must. Hard to believe it was built in the 1930’s.
The Colorado River–best river in the country…I may be biased.
Tips & Tricks:
Book a canoe or kayak trip for a day-long paddle down the Colorado River https://www.kayaklasvegas.com/. They drop you at the base of the dam and give you a map filled with stops at natural hot springs and pick you up 12 miles down river at Willow Beach, AZ.
Hoover Dam Tour https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/. The history of this man-made wonder is worth learning about, and exploring.
Lake Mead Marina–has a strong, tasty Bloody Mary to get you started for a day of boating (as a passenger).
Boulder City, NV–check out the city that built the Hoover Dam. This quaint town is the only city in all of Nevada where gambling is illegal. While you’re walking around, grab a cold beer and burger at The Dillinger, or if you too have a fry sauce obsession, head to The Pit Stop, the sauce is unmatched.
Valley of Fire State Park – incredible hiking, with sensational views, and lots of petroglyphs
Distance: 50 Miles | 1 hour drive
Why go?
Sunrises and sunsets make the whole area look like it’s on fire, hence the name.
46,000 acres of Aztec Red Sandstone, blended with gray and white limestone.
Petroglyphs from 2,500 years ago.
Tips & Tricks:
If travelling in Summer get there early, it’s HOT!
Bring Cash, $10.00 day pass.
Pack lots of water and food, there are few services in this area.
Drive the long way back to Vegas through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (bring your national park pass or be prepared to pay a fee), but it’s a lot prettier than the I-15.
Honorable Mentions:
Mt. Charleston
Dumont Dunes
Little Jamaica – Mesquite, NV