Las Vegas might be better known for its casinos, shows, and great restaurants, but there is a tremendous amount of options for those who love the outdoors and a little adventure in their vacation. With four national parks and numerous state parks and attractions, you’ll be wondering how to fit it all in on one trip.
The most famous national park has to be Grand Canyon National Park. At 276.96 miles away from Vegas, it is the furthest park. Besides the awe inspiring landscape just ripe for photography, you will find backpacking, canyon hiking, white water rafting trips, fishing, or walk the Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River and over the canyon on the west side of the park. It is truly a remarkable place.
Next on the national park list is Death Valley National Park at 144.17 miles from Las Vegas. As one of the most diverse parks in the system, Death Valley has the lowest and hottest area in the country as well as peaks that rise 11,049 feet above sea level. You will experience sand dunes, multicolored rocks and canyons, unique salt features and the amazing Racetrack Playa where mysterious moving rocks have baffled scientists for years. Enjoy mountain biking, camping, bird watching, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding and a varied wildlife.
Zion National Park, at 159.87 miles from Las Vegas, offers some of the most spectacular canyon country in the United States. It is home to the world’s largest arch, Kolob Arch, which spans 310 feet. Activities include climbing, horseback riding, camping, hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Don’t forget to check out the archeological sites while there.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geology of cliffs, a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters, windows, and arches. At 260.98 miles from Las Vegas, it is well worth the trip. It has some of the best clean air in the world and therefore offers panoramic views of three states. You can enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, bird watching, star gazing, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing.
Several state and local attractions can be found within a days driving distance of Las Vegas. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas where you can see more than 20 plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, including a few on the endangered species list. Beaver Dam State Park is located 34 miles east of Caliente, NV and offers a beautiful rustic landscape where you can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping and photography. Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area is located 5 miles south of Laughlin, NV. It has dramatic mountain and river views where you can fish, boat, picnic, and swim. Cathedral Gorge State Park, 2 miles north of Panaca, NV, has unique cathedral spires and cave-like formations begging to be photographed. You can also go hiking and camping. Echo Canyon State Park is 12 miles east of Pioche, NV and is a 65 acre reservoir. Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, boating and fishing. Located 10 miles north of Las Vegas is the Floyd Lamb State Park. It has hiking and biking trails, 4 small fishing lakes and a lot of history. Hoover Dam is only 30 miles south of Las Vegas and is one of the most visited sites in the area. You can take a tour of the inner workings of the dam and stand on top of the nearly 800 foot tall structure.
Kershaw-Ryan State Park is 3 miles south of Caliente, NV. A pretty little park with a spring-fed pond, it offers visitors hiking, camping and picnic areas. Visit the oldest building in North Las Vegas, Kyle Ranch. There is a house and shed dating back to the mid-1850’s. Lake Havasu's London Bridge is the main focus of this "Old English Village". There are gift shops, antique shops, and cafes as well as boating, fishing and water sports. Many televised water sports tournaments are shot here. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas and is the largest man-made lake in the US. You can enjoy many water sports and recreation here. Mount Charleston in the Toiyabe National Forest is a great place to beat the heat of Las Vegas. Located 35 miles north of Vegas, it is an average of 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas and offers camping, horseback riding and skiing. Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is a desert oasis for water fowl. It is 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas and presents visitors with opportunities for hunting, camping, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and wildlife viewing. Red Rock Canyon is only 15 miles west of Las Vegas and has unique brilliant red sandstone often photographed. It’s a great place for hiking, rock climbing, 4-wheeling, bicycling and scenic drives. Snow Canyon State Park has been called the “best hidden secret of the southwest.” There are red and white Navajo sandstone packed against ancient black lava beds, huge sands dunes, caves and wildflowers. You can participate in hiking, horseback riding, photography, camping and picnicking. It is 11 miles northwest of St George, UT.
Many other parks and attractions are well worth seeing while you are visiting the Vegas area. The Las Vegas Leisure Guide (www.lvlg.com) is a wonderful site with a tremendous amount of information for planning a trip to Las Vegas. Remember that there is more to Las Vegas than gambling. Get out there and explore the outdoor options for an exciting adventure vacation.
By Corie Marks