Epic Day Trips From Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a destination on is own, with casinos, shows, nightlife, and excitement around every corner. Many people visit Las Vegas and never dream of leaving the strip. But, if you’re keen to get out and explore, Las Vegas makes a great starting point for many adventures in the area. While leaving the buzz of the strip behind, there are plenty of epic day trips to take from Las Vegas. The following are all great day trips that you should consider taking from Las Vegas!

Seven Magic Mountains

Distance From Las Vegas 35 km (20 miles)

Clocking in as one of the closest day trips from Las Vegas, the Seven Magic Mountains are a unique art instalment in the middle of the Nevada desert. The Seven Magic Mountains consist of large, vibrant coloured rocks, stacked totem pole style. The towering rock formations look stunning and contrast brilliantly with the desert scenery. While there isn’t much to do here, walking around and taking in the views is worth the drive.

Hoover Dam

Distance From Las Vegas 70 km (40 miles)

The Hoover Dam is a rare attraction as it straddles the border of Nevada and Arizona. With the ability to walk between two states and two different time zones, this is an experience in its own. On top of time travel, the Hoover Dam is an exceptionally beautiful area that creates electricity for much of the region. A day trip to the Hoover Dam provides great views of the Colorado River and some insight into a piece of American history.

Valley of Fire State Park

Distance From Las Vegas 110 km (70 miles)

Think red rock for as far as the eye can see, and that is exactly what the Valley of Fire State Park boasts. This stunning park sits in Nevada and resembles a valley of fire in the sun, giving it its name. This park is a must see for nature lovers and offers an abundance of different hikes and unique viewing areas. If you’re not up for hiking, the park has a paved road that winds through the red rock, making for an excellent drive.

Turn your day trip into an overnight

The following can be done as day trips from Las Vegas, but if you have some extra time, spending a night or two is recommended. By spending the night, you can break up the drive and spend more time exploring each area. If one day is all you have, a day trip is certainly possible.

Death Valley National Park

Distance From Las Vegas 200 km (125 miles)

A visit to Death Valley National Park will take you over the Nevada border and into the California desert. Death Valley is known as one of the hottest places in the world during peak summer months. This park is massive covering over 13 000 square kilometres. Don’t let the size and temperature of Death Valley intimate you. You can safely visit the park when temperatures are cooler and pick some of the main points of interest. Many of the main attractions are a reasonable drive from one another. Death Valley offers a variety of different landscapes, ranging from salt flats, to sand dunes and colourful rolling rocks.

Zion National Park

Distance From Las Vegas 265 km (165 miles)

Zion National Park is located in Southwestern Utah and is a hikers paradise. With rugged red cliffs, the Virgin River and forest all around, Zion offers a countless number of hikes. Trails vary in level of difficulty, making it a great park to explore for families, avid hikers and everyone in between. The views around the park are astounding and instantly puts you in touch with nature.

Grand Canyon

Distance from Las Vegas varies depending on which rim you are visiting

Ranking in as one of the Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is a bucket list item for many people. The Grand Canyon is one of the most sought after day trips from Las Vegas. Given the vast size of the Grand Canyon, you’re able to access the canyon from different locations. The West Rim is the closest view point from the Vegas strip, and sees many day trippers. The South Rim is also extremely popular and sees more visitors looking to spend a few days exploring the canyon. The Grand Canyon is extremely vast and beautiful to explore.

*All distances are an approximation based on the Las Vegas Strip as a starting point

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