Intro

If you want to experience Las Vegas without gambling, here are some ideas for the best day trips. Some are very popular, some of more off the beaten track. When we were staying in Las Vegas (for free thanks to Hilton Honor Points), I quickly became tired and overwhelmed. Soon, I was ready for an escape from the Vegas strip so we researched good day trips.

All these trips are ones that we have done, some of them with kids, all of them would be good to take children with you. The times indicate how long it would take to travel to that specific attraction. It is the one way distance, calculated by Google Maps.

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1. Red Rock Canyon (40 minutes)

Intro

Being close to Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located in the Mojave desert and a scenic area to visit and enjoy. Here you will find large red rock formations and a set of sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. It is a popular day trip from Las Vegas with a one-way 13 miles long scenic road and also a popular hiking and rock climbing trails.

Because this is one of the best day trips from Las Vegas, sometimes the loop road reaches maximum capacity. When that happens, access to the loop will close for part of the day. Therefore, make sure to check out Red Rock Canyon Twitter feed or Red Rock Canyon Facebook page for closures before you head out.

Things to Do

Scenic Loop

When you drive the loop road, you will have access to several side roads and parking areas to reach the area trails. Before you start, make sure to check out the visitor center which is at the start of the loop road. Here you can find lots of information about Red Rock Canyon and the desert.

Hiking

While Red Rock Canyon has many hiking trails, not all of them are easy. When hiking, stay on established trails and watch your footing at all times. Easy ones to try are the Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail (.7 miles round trip), the Fire Ecology Trail (1.1 miles round trip) and the Red Rock Overlook (0.25 miles round trip and wheel chair accessible)

Rock Climbing

When we visited, we found out that this is one of the finest rock climbing areas in the world. Over time, climbing has become increasingly popular in Red Rock Canyon. Not only for advanced climbers but also for beginning ones. If you would like more info, please go to the rock climbing section on the BLM Red Rock Canyon Climbing Link.

Biking

If you are looking for a place to ride your bike, the loop road is popular. After a moderate climb it is mostly downhill or flat. In case you prefer mountain biking, go check out the mountain biking link on the BLM Red Rock Canyon website. You also can find the road biking information there.

Accessibility

This is taken from the Bureau of Land Management Red Rocks web site.

– Visitor Center – LEED certified center features indoor exhibits and lectures, a gift shop and innovative outdoor exhibits with four themed elements: earth, wind, fire and water. An accessible trail is available at this location.
– Willow Springs Picnic Area – picturesque area on the 13-mile Scenic Drive that features rock art, restrooms and picnic area  An accessible trail is available at this location.
– Red Rock Overlook – located along State Route 159, the overlook features stunning views of Red Rock, restrooms and picnic area.  An accessible trail is available at this location.
– Red Spring – located east of the 13-mile Scenic Drive off of State Route 159, this area features boardwalk, year-round spring, restrooms and picnic area. An accessible trail available at this location.

2. The Hoover Dam (50 minutes)

Intro

When I visited Las Vegas for the first time, I knew I wanted to check out the Hoover Dam. Until I saw it in real life, I had not imagined just how “dam” huge it was. Between 1931 and 1936, they constructed this dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. It is located on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona. The Hoover Dam provides water and power to Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

In 1985, the dam was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1994, they declared it one of America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.

Things to do

Walk or Drive across the Dam

Walking across the dam is a good way to really appreciate the sheer size of the structure. If you are afraid of heights, you might want to skip this experience.

Visitor Center

Don’t misss the Visitor Center exhibits and observation deck along with the 1940s era Original Exhibit Building topographical map presentation. We learned so many interesting facts about the Hoover Dam. Please be aware that you have to go through a security check before you can enter. When we visited, they confiscated my nail cutter and Tom had to go back to the car to store his Swiss army knife.

Tours

• Dam Tour. (Must be 8 years of age or older. This tour is not handicap accessible.) – Includes 10-minute movie on the history of Hoover Dam, a 1-hour guided tour to a platform, overlooking a 30-foot diameter penstock pipe, the Nevada Wing of the Powerplant, and a stop in an original inspection tunnel inside the dam.
• Powerplant Tour. Includes 10-minute movie on Hoover Dam history, 30-minute guided tour to a viewing platform overlooking a 30-foot diameter penstock pipe and the Nevada wing of the Powerplant.

Accessibility

The Powerplant tour, Visitor Center, and Original Exhibit building are accessible for visitors with wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility devices.

Lake Mead (25 minutes from the Hoover Dam)

Lake Mead advertises as America’s most diverse national recreation area. With striking landscapes and brilliant blue waters, this year-round playground spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast lakes. See the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, or find solitude in one of the park’s nine wilderness areas.

Because lake Mead is not far from the Hoover Dam, we recommend combining these on one day. There is such a contrast between the human engineering of the Hoover Dam and the natural peace of Lake Mead.

3. The Valley of Fire (1 hour)

Intro

Valley of Fire State Park contains red sandstone formations (Aztec sandstone), ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. A Visitor Center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory and history of the park and nearby region. In 1968, the National Park Service designated the Valley of Fire as a National Natural Landmark.

Things to do

Visitor Center

Inside the visitor center, you can find an exhibition about the geology and wildlife of the Valley of Fire. They also can provide you with maps and information on hiking trails, so make sure to stop by. Behind the visitor center is a nice picnic area with feeders, so you can do some bird watching while you are at it. In addition there is an easy hike through the backyard of the visitor center.

Hiking

Before you go on your hike, do pick up a map of the hiking trails at the visitor center. If you want a preview, check out this good overview of the best hikes at 6 Top-Rated Hiking Trails in The Valley of Fire. For easy hikes, I recommend the Elephant Rock Trail (1/8 of a mile) and (Mouse’s Tank Hike (3/4 of a mile and you can see many petroglyphs)

Accessibility

As far as I know, there are no wheel chair accessible hikes in the park. In addition, the park is in full sun all day and most trails are in soft sand. If that would be a problem for you, limit yourself to the visitor center and the viewing points close to parking areas.

4. Henderson Bird Watching Preserve (25 minutes)

Intro (this is my favorite day trip from Las Vegas)

Did you know there is water in the desert, really close to Las Vegas? For more than 20 years, local birders and nature lovers have visited the evaporating ponds at the city’s Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Go and check it out! When the city of Henderson developed these ponds, they had no expectation that they would attract birds, but they sure did.

Because this preserve is so close by the strip and it has birds, this is one of my favorite day trips from Las Vegas. Every time we are in Las Vegas, we manage to get out there. I always tell people “I went to Las Vegas to go birding.” Yeah, I know I am a nerd.

Things To Do

Unsurprisingly, given the name, you can watch birds here. Not one, not two, not three, but hundreds, maybe even thousands of birds. Enjoying this oasis in the desert, many migrating and native birds do flock here in great numbers. In addition, there are mammals and reptiles to meet and admire. The front desk will give you a check list of birds when you ask.

Each time we have visited, we have seen new-to-us birds and enjoyed meeting old “friends”. In this reserve, I got my first view of a Northern shoveler, observed a humming bird nest and was entertained by the funny looking plume on the California Quail’s head.

If you are a serious birder, check out (and contribute to) the ebird check list of this preserve. This list will give you a good overview of which birds to expect during your visit.

Admission is free after you register at the front desk. When you visit, don’t hesitate to ask questions, because the people there are very knowledgeable. If you don’t have your own with you, you can borrow binoculars at the front desk for an even better view of the many spectacular birds. In addition, they have water for sale. Be sure not to miss the birding exposition in the visitor center.

Due to the excessive desert heat, we would recommend visiting in the morning. Most days the preserve closes at 2pm, but in contrast, most of the year it opens at 6am. Check the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve web site for their current hours.

Accessibility

Because the paths are easy and flat, I had no problem walking there using my poles to decrease fatigue. There are quite a lot of helpful benches available to sit down and enjoy the views. Be aware that it can be hot, so bring water (or buy it at the entrance), wear a hat and use your sun screen. There are bath rooms available in the visitor center.

There are nine ponds available for birding, surrounded by both paved and soft surfaces. The paved path is approximately 3/4 of a mile long and is accessible by wheelchair.

Conclusion on Day Trips from Las Vegas

When you are vacationing in Las Vegas, there is no reason to stay stuck at the Strip and limit your activities to gambling. Though I only gave you a few of the best day trips, there are many other opportunities around Vegas to go sight see, hike, bird, rock climb or explore Nevada’s rich history. Have you been to Vegas? What are your favorite things to do there? Did you get away from The Strip? Can you recommend any other day trips?

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Useful Links

• Hiking around Las Vegas. A website sharing mountains, valleys, forests, cliffs, wildlife, canyons, rivers, historic places, lakes, petroglyphs, wildflowers, and adventure. We happily discovered that there are lots of places to go hiking around Las Vegas!
• Birding around Las Vegas. Notwithstanding the craziness of the strip, there are many good places to go birding around Las Vegas.
• Red Rock Canyon National Conversation Area, NV. The official website from the Bureau of Land Management. Here you can find hours and fees.
• Friends of Red Rock Canyon. Extensive website to help you plan your visit to Red Rock Canyon. Information about things to do and ongoing events.
• Official web site of the Hoover Dam. Here you can find information on tours, opening times, admission fees and more.
• National Park Service: Lake Mead. Find all the important information for visiting Lake Mead
• Official web site of Valley of Fire State Park. Hours, fees, and other pertinent information.
• City of Henderson – Bird Viewing Preserve. The official web site of the preserve, sharing opening hours and happenings.