Las Vegas is much more than gambling, partying, and bright lights.
Millions of tourists flock to The Strip each year to press their luck in the casinos, dine in fancy (and very expensive) restaurants, and enjoy the other guilty pleasures the city offers, but they miss out on unique opportunities to explore the surrounding area.
This may be an unpopular (or unknown) opinion, but Vegas isn’t amazing because of the gambling, partying, or lights. Instead, the natural landscapes that surround the city are what make “Sin City” special.
During my two-week stay in Vegas, I saw some of the most stunning natural landscapes I’ve ever seen, and I’m excited to share them with you. If you’re willing to get away from the tourist trap that is downtown Las Vegas and experience what actually makes it unique, then keep reading!
Before We Get to the Good Stuff
This blog post contains multiple magnificent nature spots. Before we get to them, there are some things we need to talk about first. Let me put them in a short list for ya:
- Leave the place better than you found it – Just like you wouldn’t walk into someone’s lovely home and completely trash it, the same goes for nature. Clean up after yourselves, as well as those who were careless enough not to clean up after themselves. Nature definitely thanks you!
- The best souvenirs are pictures – I get it, you want to take something home with you to remember your visit, but you can (unintentionally) be ruining the ecosystems that call the area home. Please, leave even the smallest and prettiest of rocks alone, and remember your visit by the lovely pictures you take. AND DON’T PUT YOUR MARK ON NATURE (carving names, spray painting, etc.) – it’s beautiful the way it is!
- Pack out what you pack in – Whatever you bring in with you, make sure it leaves with you (i.e., trash, food, kids, etc.).
- Stay on the trail – Yes, it’s fun to explore and be spontaneous, but trails are for the protection of the environment AND your safety. Please stay on marked trails.
- Be aware of wildlife in the area – Research or ask park employees about the wildlife you may encounter and what to do if you do encounter it. If you happen to cross paths with any wildlife, leave it ALONE!
- Prepare, prepare, prepare – Exploring natural wonders goes much smoother when you’re prepared, especially when the summer heat takes over Vegas. Whether that’s being aware of the trail difficulty, bringing enough water and snacks, or wearing the proper clothing, being prepared helps protect the natural wonder and keep you happy.
Read more about the 7 Principles of Leave here.
The Good Stuff
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston – High above the city of Las Vegas, 11,916 feet to be exact, stands Charleston Peak. This spot is a favorite among locals, especially in the summertime when temperatures in Vegas exceed 90-100 degrees. Snow can be found on this mountain range year-round. This makes for a beautiful winter wonderland getaway in colder months and a great escape in warmer months. Thanks to the higher elevation, Mt. Charleston tends to be an average of 20 degrees cooler than the valley.
Enjoy winter activities like sledding, tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, making snow angels and snowmen, and watching the wildlife in the area. In the summer, escape the Vegas heat and enjoy scenic drives, hiking, disc golf, mountain biking, or a scenic chair lift ride at Lee Canyon Resort. No matter the time of year you visit, Mt. Charleston has plenty of activities for everyone in the family or friend group.
- Entrance Fees: FREE
- Hours:
- Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway: 9 am to 4 pm
- Trails/campgrounds are open 24 hours (depending on seasonal and or emergency conditions)
- My Personal Favorites: Driving along one of the Mt. Charleston Scenic Byways, hiking Eagles Nest Loop (a 2.7-mile easy hike), sledding down snowy hills, and exploring the Spring Mountains Visitor Getaway.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Want a different view of the Las Vegas Valley? Then, this is the perfect spot. Red Rock was the first National Conservation Area in Nevada and is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas. If you’re pressed for time and can only make it to one place on this list, I highly recommend you choose Red Rock Canyon.
The dramatic landscape is home to breathtaking red sandstone peaks, incredible canyon views, thousands of years old petroglyphs, a 13-mile scenic drive, and over 25 hiking trails. Seeing this beauty up close is a must when visiting Vegas!
Note: You must reserve a timed entry spot if you plan to visit at 8 am or later. You can make those reservations here. You do not need to make a timed extry reservation if planning to visit earlier than 8 am.
- Entrance Fees: $20 for cars/trucks, $10 for motorcycles, $8 for bicycles, $5 for pedestrians, or FREE with National Park Pass
- Hours:
- November through February: 6 am to 5 pm
- March: 6 am to 7 pm
- April through September: 6 am to 8 pm
- October 6 am to 7 pm.
- Visitors Center: 9 am to 4:30 pm, daily
- My Personal Favorites: Watching the sunrise at High Point Overlook (featured image at the top of this post), driving along the 13-mile Scenic Drive, and hiking Pine Creek Canyon.
Valley of Fire State Park
It’s easy to tell how the state park got its name thanks to the vibrant Aztec Sandstone. Valley of Fire is the largest and oldest state park in Nevada and is only an hour’s drive away from downtown Vegas. The area was formed by shifting sand dunes over 150 million years ago and is home to numerous ancient petroglyph sites. Make sure to get here as early as possible, though, because the park gets very busy around noon (especially on the weekends).
Another thing I love about this state park is that it has numerous easy but unique trails. So keep an eye out because I’m compiling a list of these easy trails to make your visit easier!
- Entrance Fees: $8 per vehicle for Nevada residents, $10 per vehicle for non-Nevada residents, & FREE with Nevada Annual Entrance Permit
- Hours: Sunrise to Sunset, 7 days a week
- My Personal Favorites: Valley of Fire blog post coming soon!
Death Valley National Park
If you’re up for a drive, Death Valley is a MUST. The park is approximately 130 miles (a 2-hour drive) from Vegas, but it’s beyond worth it. It may be named Death Valley, but this national park is full of life and beauty. From the snow-capped mountain peaks to the incredible colors of Artist Drive to the booming sand dunes to the amazing Badwater Basin Salt Flats, Death Valley is home to some of the most diverse landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Death Valley is the hottest place in the world, with record temperatures of 134°F. It’s also the driest and lowest place in North America, with less than two inches of rainfall a year and its lowest point being 282 ft. below sea level. I recommend visiting the park in spring since it’s sunny and warm, but not too hot. Plus, there’s a possibility you’ll see beautiful spring wildflowers. Whatever time you choose to visit, make sure you’re prepared and have enough water, snacks, and sunscreen to last through your visit.
- Entrance Fees: $15 per person, $30 per vehicle, or FREE with National Park Pass
- Hours:
- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Visitors Center: 8 am to 5 pm every day
- My Personal Favorites: Watching the sunrise at Zabriskie Point, walking along the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, hiking out to see the Badwater Basin Salt Flats, and learning about the Timbisha Shoshone tribe (Native American tribe that has lived in Death Valley for centuries) at the Visitor’s Center.
7 Magic Mountains
The “Seven Magic Mountains” sculptures became an overnight sensation a couple of years ago. The vibrant desert artwork created by world-renown Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone was originally only supposed to be shown for two years. However, due to its incredible success, it has remained open to the public – lucky for us! With the bright colors and surrounding views, seeing the 35 ft. rock towers up close is a unique experience. Plus, it’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown.
Note: No restrooms are available at Seven Magic Mountains, so plan ahead.
- Entrance Fees: FREE, but they do accept donations here
- Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
- My Personal Favorite: Driving out to the area before the sun comes up and watching the sunrise over the surrounding mountains – it casts a beautiful light on the sculptures, and there’s usually no one there, so it’s a win, win!
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Did you know that America’s largest National Wildlife Refuge (outside of Alaska) is less than 40 minutes from Las Vegas? Desert NWR is an impressive 1.6 million acres and is home to wildlife like desert bighorn sheep and desert tortoises!
If you’re looking for short and easy hikes, the trail system outside the Visitors Center at Corn Creek is for you. With all trails being 0.5 miles or less, it’s an easy way to view the beauty of the Refuge. However, if you want a closer look, multiple roads take you through the NWR, like Mormon Well Road, Gass Peak Road, and Alamo Road. Note: High-clearance vehicles are required to drive on these roads, and four-wheel drive is recommended.
- Entrance Fees: FREE
- Hours:
- Entrance to the NWR: 4 am to sunset
- Visitors Center Trails are open from sunrise to sunset
- The Visitors Center is open from 8 am to 4 pm
- My Personal Favorites: Hiking the quiet and serene Corn Creek Trails and venturing further into the NWR to visit Fossil Ridge and Gass Peak (highest point of the Las Vegas Range – 6,943 ft.).
Springs Preserve
This isn’t technically considered a “natural area,” but there are a host of things to do for outdoor and history lovers. It’s the perfect place to visit when you’re looking to take things easy.
I love Springs Preserve’s mission: Commonly known as the “birthplace of Las Vegas,” the Springs Preserve is a 180-acre cultural institution designed to commemorate Las Vegas’ dynamic history and provide a vision for a sustainable future. The Preserve demonstrates this mission throughout the property with numerous easy walking trails (with spectacular views of downtown), sustainability centers, multiple museums filled with the unique history of the Valley, as well as the Indigenous people who called it home, a Botanical Garden, and so much more! You could spend an entire day here – it’s incredible.
- Entrance Fees:
- Nevada Residents: $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children (ages 3-17)
- Non-Nevada Residents: $18.95 for adults, $10.95 for children (ages 3-17)
- Free for children 2 and under
- Hours: Thursday-Monday, 9 am to 4 pm
- See their holiday hours here
- My Personal Favorites: Walking through the Botanical Gardens, taking the train ride to Boomtown 1905, learning about Native American history in the Origen Museum, and visiting the Outdoor Animal Exhibit.
- Download the Springs Preserve App in the Apple Store here and on the Google Store here. This app gives you an interactive map that helps see what the preserve offers and navigate the grounds.
Bonus: Favorite Place to Eat in Vegas
I have to give a shoutout to the BEST restaurant in Vegas, Carson Kitchen!
Thanks to some family connections, they squeezed us in last minute (100% recommend making a reservation in advance), and we had the most fantastic experience! We got to sit at the best spot in the restaurant – the bar overlooking the kitchen – and were completely spoiled by General Manager Ethan, who happens to be my cousin’s wife’s uncle. Plate after plate kept coming out, and everything we tried was DELICIOUS! Among the dishes we tasted, Chris loved the Iron Chef 2.0 burger (said it was the best burger he’d ever had), and I had the best cauliflower. Cauliflower may not sound exciting, but somehow Carson Kitchen makes it out of this world with a great combination of spices and sweetness. I also recommend trying these dishes: tempura green beans, bacon jam, “Devil’s” Eggs, and the bourbon fudge brownie. YUM! All this talk of food makes me want to go back.
