Something a lot of people don’t know about Las Vegas is that it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding region. So once you’ve had your fill of the Strip, or if you have no interest in it at all, check out this list of awesome places you can reach in less than half a day of driving!
We’ve picked these spots because they’re all an easy drive from Las Vegas and each one offers something a little different. Whether you’re after a peaceful day in nature, a dive into some fascinating history, or just a good old adventure, there’s something nearby that’s sure to catch your eye and give you a break from the city’s buzz.
1. Death Valley National Park, CA
You can get to this huge national park in as little as 90 minutes if you use the Stateline Road from Pahrump. Other good ways to get there from Vegas are via Amargosa Valley and from Beatty, which is later on this list. Once in the park, you can easily spend a week or more exploring the amazing landscapes.
Fun Fact: Holds the record for the highest air temperature ever recorded on Earth at 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius) in Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913.
2. Lone Pine, CA
Driving through Death Valley is the fastest way to get to this town at the base of the Sierra Nevada. Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48, graces the skyline. The town is a fun place to visit, and it’s a major gateway to the recreational areas on the eastern side of the Sierra.
Fun Fact: This small town has served as the backdrop for numerous films, especially Westerns, featuring the picturesque Alabama Hills and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Another iconic film, though not a Western, that was also shot in the Alabama Hills is “Tremors” (1990), a cult classic featuring subterranean monsters in a deserted landscape. The unique geography of the area contributed significantly to the atmosphere of the film.
3. Mojave National Preserve, CA
Desert mountains and wilderness without crowds await visitors here. There’s also a very large Joshua tree forest, and the Kelso Dunes are a spectacular destination. Access is easy from Interstate 15.
Fun Fact: The Mojave National Preserve is home to the largest concentration of Joshua Trees in the world, as well as the nearly extinct desert tortoise.
4. Joshua Tree National Park, CA
After visiting the Mojave National Preserve, you can continue on to this popular national park. It can be exceptionally beautiful during the spring wildflower bloom and in winter when there’s snow on the rock outcrops and the namesake plants, which are not really trees but more like cactuses.
Fun Fact: Renowned for its unique rock formations and starry night skies, Joshua Tree National Park is a favorite for both climbers and astronomers. The park’s geology and desert flora, including the iconic Joshua trees, create an amazing landscape that’s almost other-worldly.
5. Keyhole Canyon, NV
South of the city is this collection of granite peaks and canyons. Popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, and viewing rock art created by ancient Native Americans.
Fun Fact: Keep an eye out for pictographs and prehistoric rock art that provides a glimpse into the cultural history of the region’s early inhabitants.
6. Red Rock Canyon, NV
When you look to the west, you’ll see several tall red mountains not that far away. Those sandstone peaks are the showcase features of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s a world-famous rock climbing destination, but it’s also a great place to hike or just do some sightseeing.
Fun Fact: Not only is Red Rock Canyon known for its towering red sandstone peaks, but the area is also home to more than 600 species of plants, making it a vibrant desert ecosystem.
7. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV
The construction of the Hoover Dam created Lake Mead, the major source of drinking water for Las Vegas. Within the recreation area, you can enjoy swimming, boating, and hiking. One highly recommended hiking destination is the Bowl of Fire, where the sandstone cliffs and pinnacles are an unusually intense red.
Fun Facts: It’s the largest reservoir in the United States in terms of water capacity, formed by the Hoover Dam.
8. Hoover Dam, NV
You can also go visit the dam responsible for Lake Mead. It’s one of the largest dams in the world. A bypass constructed in recent years makes visiting the dam easier by diverting a lot of traffic away; it used to be that the only way south into Arizona was a slow, winding road that went over the dam itself.
Fun Fact: When it was completed in 1936, it was both the world’s largest electric-power generating station and the world’s largest concrete structure.
9. Mt. Charleston, NV
The Spring Mountains are the tall peaks northwest of the city. They get enough winter snow to support ski areas, and they’re high enough to provide welcome relief from the Vegas summer heat. Mt. Charleston is the highest peak in the range.
Fun Fact: It features the only ski resort in Southern Nevada, and its landscape is a stark contrast to the surrounding desert.
10. Arc Dome Wilderness, NV
Arc Dome is the high point of the Toiyabe Range, an “island range” so named because it rises high enough above the surrounding desert to support plants and wildlife that thrive in cooler climate zones. If you love getting away from everything, you’ll love this area, which has a very remote feel.
Fun Fact: The area includes Arc Dome, a prominent peak standing at 11,773 feet, which is the highest point in the Toiyabe Range.
11. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows is a desert oasis close to the California line. It’s also the location of Devils Hole, a spring that supports the world’s entire naturally occurring population of the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Devils Hole is actually a detached unit of Death Valley N.P. located within the refuge.
Fun Fact: The refuge contains 24 species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, making it a high point of biodiversity in Nevada.
12. Valley of Fire State Park, NV
This is one of the most scenic state parks in the country. The red sandstone is amazing in both form and color, and several trails allow you to explore narrow canyons, desert scenery, ancient rock art, and more.
Fun Fact: Known for its stunning landscapes, Valley of Fire State Park features wave-like formations of red sandstone that create a vibrant display, especially at sunrise and sunset. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that lead to fascinating sites, including ancient petroglyphs carved into rock faces by Native American tribes centuries ago.
13. Cathedral Gorge State Park, NV
This state park is pretty small, but it’s totally worth the trip. Here, erosion has carved the soft rock formations into wild shapes and patterns that you have to see to believe, especially in the glow of sunrise and sunset.
Fun Fact: Cathedral Gorge is known for its dramatic, spire-like rock formations, which resemble cathedral spires and were formed through erosion of soft bentonite clay.
14. Great Basin National Park, NV
This destination is a bit more of a haul than many others on this list, but you’ll get to enjoy one of the more lightly visited national parks in the country. There’s a lot to do here. Some examples: visit a grove of ancient bristlecone pines, hike to a “rock glacier” (permanent ice located beneath a field of boulders), tour a beautiful cavern, hike to mountain lakes and a natural arch, and hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the park’s highpoint and the highest mountain entirely within Nevada.
Fun Fact: Named after the vast Great Basin region, this park showcases a striking mix of deserts and snow-capped mountains, offering visitors a vivid snapshot of Nevada’s diverse landscapes.
15. Beatty, NV
As mentioned earlier, Beatty is a great gateway to Death Valley NP, but it’s a fun little town that has other things to recommend. One is having one of the best candy stores in the country. Another is being able to hike up Beatty Mountain, the colorful peak just outside town. It has great views and a lot of interesting rock formations.
Fun Fact: Besides being a gateway to Death Valley, it’s near Rhyolite, one of the most photographed ghost towns in the West, famous for its historic ruins.
16. Mesquite, NV
If you like the casino scene but find Vegas a little overwhelming, try Mesquite. It’s like a mini-vegas located close to the Arizona border off I-15, and you’ll pass through on your way to the next three places on this list.
Fun Fact: Known for its world-class golf courses, Mesquite offers more than just casino action, with some of the best golfing available in the region.
17. Virgin River Gorge, AZ
After entering Arizona, I-15 soon passes through a spectacular canyon called the Virgin River Gorge. There isn’t much to do here in terms of official trails, but there are some recreation sites that allow access to the river, which is usually shallow. I included this place here rather than with the other Arizona location because you pass through it on the way to the next two places.
Fun Fact: This gorge was once used as a filming location for the classic road movie “Thelma & Louise,” giving it a bit of Hollywood history amidst its natural beauty.
18. Snow Canyon State Park, UT
Snow Canyon is a gorgeous state park located near St. George. It has nice trails and views, and you can find ancient rock art here. It’s also a popular rock climbing destination. If you’re in the area and looking for a less-crowded alternative to the next place on this list, check out Snow Canyon.
Fun Fact: Snow Canyon isn’t named for wintry weather but after early Utah leaders Lorenzo and Erastus Snow. The park is known for its fascinating volcanic cones and lava tubes.
19. Zion National Park, UT
Zion Canyon can get really crowded, but it’s so spectacular that you shouldn’t miss seeing it. With a good map and a sense of adventure, you can then get away from the crowds and explore the amazing backcountry of this national park that’s hands-down one of the best in the system.
Fun Fact: Zion National Park was originally named Mukuntuweap National Monument before it was renamed in 1919 to appeal more to the general public. (Smart move!) It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can see all four North American desert types converging.
20. Kingman, AZ
After you leave the Hoover Dam area, there’s very little development as you drive south into Arizona. Maybe that’s why Kingman almost seems to appear out of nowhere. It’s a good base for exploring the pretty mountains in the area, and you won’t have to worry about crowds there.
Fun Fact: Kingman proudly hosts the world’s first electric vehicle museum, a cool spot for car enthusiasts and history buffs alike. It’s also a key stop on the iconic Route 66, where you can dive into the past at classic car shows and soak up the nostalgia of America’s famed highway.
Featured Image Credit: Vlad Teodor/Shutterstock
The World’s Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges
For as long as humans have existed, mountains have inspired and daunted us. They’re the basis for countless legends, and although they can be deadly, have an irresistible pull on us, drawing millions of sightseers, hikers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts every year. Making a definitive list of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world is subjective, but the ones here are certainly strong contenders.
Best Place to See the Grand Canyon Sunrise at South Rim
If you’re wondering where the best place to see the Grand Canyon sunrise at South Rim is, you’re not alone. With more than six million visitors to the national park each year, there are plenty of people trying to find the best place to see the show.
And what a show it is! Mother Nature does not disappoint. It was easily one of the most memorable sunrises we’ve ever seen! There are some things you should know before you go, though, and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions for you.
Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.
Karee Blunt is a nationally syndicated travel journalist, focused on discovering destinations and experiences that captivate and inspire others through her writing. She is also the founder of Our Woven Journey, a travel site focused on inspiring others to create memory-making adventures with their loved ones. Karee is passionate about encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone and live the life they dream of. She is the mother of six kids, including four through adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn more about Karee on her about me page.