The non-stop party in Vegas is fun, but let’s face it, sometimes you just need a break. If Vegas is wearing you down, don’t give up and retreat into your hotel room. Take a day trip!
Here’s a list of the best places to go within a few hours drive of the city:
Under an Hour Drives
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (26 min, 19.9 mi)
Lake Mead is one of the largest manmade lakes in the Western Hemisphere and is one of the best places in the area to enjoy water activities. From hunting and some of the best fishing in the west to boating, water skiing, kayaking, or canoeing, Lake Mead is one of our favorite Day Trips!
Lake Mead is really nature lover’s paradise. From unique landscapes that can only be found in the park to the beautiful mountains, plants, and desert scenery surrounding the lake, everyone is sure to find something to fall in love with — and if you’re lucky you might just see some bald eagles and desert bighorn sheep.
Camping: With over 900 camping and RV sites at 15 different locations and hundreds of miles of shoreline for boondocking, Lake Mead has something for every type of camper.
Hiking: There area dozens of trails out at Lake Mead, but if you are looking for something really unique we suggest checking out the Historic Railroad Trail.
Red Rock Canyon (21 min, 16.4 mi)
Its gorgeous red sandstone mountains and location just twenty minutes from the Strip make Red Rock Canyon a great choice for a full-day or part-day adventure. Take a scenic drive through peaks and canyons, hike on one of 26 different trails, go horseback riding, stop for a photoshoot, or just admire the desert landscape.
Check out our full review of Red Rock Here.
Lake Las Vegas (28 min, 19.2 mi)
If you don’t feel like traveling far, Lake Las Vegas may be for you. Located just minutes from the Strip, this 320-acre artificial lake surrounded by restaurants, shops, and a hotels feels a world away from Vegas. In The Village, you can spend a relaxing day shopping and lakeside dining.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, venture out onto the lake for some water sports. Flyboards, water propelled jetpacks, paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats are available for rental most days of the week.
Boulder City, Nevada (31 min, 26.2 mi)
Boulder City was established in 1931 as a temporary home for the builders of the Hoover Dam. The city maintains its historic charm to this day. Visitors can stroll through shops, restaurants, and galleries in Boulder City’s Historic District, or even tour the Hoover Dam Museum in the Boulder Dam Hotel.
The quiet atmosphere makes it the perfect place to relax and take a break from the fast-paced nature of Vegas. But if relaxing isn’t your thing, the city also boasts of the many outdoor activities that surround it including quad rides, the Bootleg Canyon Zipline, Lake Mead, 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, and water sports where the Colorado River flows through Black Rock Canyon.
Mount Charleston (50 Min, 42.6 Miles)
At an elevation of 11,918 feet, Mt. Charleston is a wonderful summer getaway for those trying to escape the blistering summer heat of the Las Vegas Valley. When temperatures in Las Vegas sore to over 100 degrees, the mid 70-degree temperatures on the mountain can be a welcome relief.
From snowboarding and off-roading to camping, biking and hiking, the Spring Mountains have something for everyone. There are over 60 miles of maintained trails, most starting at over 6000ft in elevation and some culminating at the 11,916ft Charleston Peak.
Techatticup Mining Town at Eldorado Canyon in Nelson, Nevada (45 min, 45.3 miles)
The former mine town of Eldorado contains some of Nevada’s oldest mines and is extremely popular with photographers for the old cars, antique mining equipment, and artifacts. Learn about Nevada’s early history by taking a tour through the mine and main building. After the tour, you can visit the ghost town, explore the Techatticup mines, or check out the old country store. Drive a little further down the road for a scenic view of the Colorado River, and kayaking, hiking, and horseback riding at Nelson’s Landing.
For a full list of Ghost Towns in Nevada, check out our article here.
Valley of Fire State Park (57 min, 49.1 mi)
Named for its vibrant red sandstone, the Valley of Fire was founded in 1935 and is Nevada’s oldest state park. The park is famous for the unique rock formations abundant throughout the landscape, and its rich history. Nearly 3,000-year-old petroglyphs left by early American Indians can be seen throughout the 42,000-acre park, providing insight into life in the region thousands of years ago. Other outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and picnicking are available.
Hoover Dam (43 min, 33.8 mi)
The Hoover Dam is an impressive sight, to say the least, especially considering its history. This massive structure–the largest in the world at the time of its completion–took 5 million barrels of cement, 45 million pounds of reinforcement steel, and 21,000 workers to complete. The Hoover Dam allowed for the growth of western cities by doing the impossible–taming the wild Colorado River. Each year, it powers 1.3 million homes and helps with irrigation and water storage–it’s no wonder it has become a popular tourist destination. The Hoover Dam is a piece of American history you won’t want to miss. Visitors can admire the dam on their own, or participate in one of the guided tours offered on most days.
1-3 Hours
St George, Utah (1 h 48 min, 120.0 mi)
The city of St George, Utah is full of culture, life, and adventure. Within the city, you’ll find sixteen museums and art galleries, multiple theaters, shops, restaurants, and various historic buildings. If you’re looking for more of an adventure, St George is very close to many outdoor attractions. Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (2 mi), Canyon State Park (10 mi), the Pine Valley Mountains (38 mi), and Zion National Park (41 mi) are all nearby.
Zion National Park (2 h 37 min, 165.7 mi)
Located in southwest Utah, Zion National Park is famous for its canyons, rivers, and diverse wildlife. People who visit here come for the rock climbing, hiking, scenic drives, and bird watching. With three campgrounds within the park, Zion is also a popular destination for camping.
Death Valley National Park (1 h 56 min, 123.2 mi)
This below-sea-level basin holds the record for the hottest and driest National Park. Contrary to the name, there are many plants and animals that reside within its 3 million acres of wilderness area. There are also many activities–bird watching, biking, hiking, and night sky stargazing– just to name a few. Death Valley is best seen during the winter and spring months, as temperatures during the summer can be absolutely brutal, with highs reaching 120°F.
Dixie National Forest (2 h 46 min, 181.6 mi)
Dixie National Forest is two-million acres of nature filled with canyons, pine and aspen forests, rock formations, mountains, and lakes. Drive through the scenic beauty or participate in a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, bicycling, fishing, horseback riding, and skiing.
3-5 hours
Grand Canyon (4 h 11 min, 252.4 mi)
This natural beauty is one the most well-known spots on the West Coast. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep in some places. You can make the trip yourself, or join one of the many tours–either by helicopter, bus or in rafts down the Colorado River. These companies offer tours with pick up from the Las Vegas Strip:
- Maverick Helicopter Tours
- Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
- Canyon Tours
- Grand Canyon Tour Company
- Pink Jeep Tours
- Papillon Tours
- Grand Canyon by One Day Tours
Los Angeles (4 h 8 min, 271.2 mi)
Take a trip to the most iconic city in California–Los Angeles! Filled with famous landmarks like the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and sign, Beverly Hills, and shopping at Rodeo Drive, a visit to this city will ensure your day is packed! If you’re up for a road trip, it’s about a 4-hour drive. Otherwise, you can go on one of the tours with pick up locations in Vegas:
- Quality Tours of Las Vegas
- Vegas To Hollywood Tourz
- Grand Canyon by One Day Tours
