Having lived in Vegas since I was six years old, my perspective on Sin City might be a little different than someone who is just passing through. And if you’re that person passing through, you might be surprised to know just how many beautiful places are within the area or just a short drive away
Whether you’re a Las Vegas local or you’re looking for something to do outside of The Strip while you’re visiting, the destinations below are all worth the quick trip!
Here are 7 of the most beautiful, breathtaking locations that you can take a day trip to from Las Vegas.
7 Scenic Day Trips From Las Vegas
1. Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire feels like a totally different planet, but it’s just an hour away from the heart of Vegas. This state park is famous for its red rock Aztec sandstone that looks like something straight from Mars.
You’ll also find a bit of the past including ancient petroglyphs and petrified trees among the landscapes plastered in different shades of oranges, reds, and pinks.
If you didn’t figure it out from the name, Valley of Fire gets really hot during the summer but when the temperature is more mild, Valley of Fire is a fantastic place for a hike- just make sure you bring plenty of water.
Two of the most popular hiking trails to start with are the Rainbow Vista trails, both of which are pretty simple and provide some excellent views!
Not a hiker or visiting during peak heat season? Valley of Fire is also beautiful from the comfort of your car! Take a drive along Mouse’s Tank Road- you’ll be able to see some of the best views the park has to offer along the way.
Distance from The Strip: About 50 miles; less than a 1 hour drive {each way}
2. Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon is one of the many mountain ranges that surround the city, so you’ll definitely notice them from anywhere in town. However, you might not know just how much there is to explore there!
If you like hiking, the Ice Box Canyon trail is a beautiful, family-friendly hike that includes a seasonal waterfall- a true hidden gem in the desert!
There’s also the Red Rock Canyon Drive, a 13-mile loop that offers some amazing views any time of year.
Distance from The Strip: About 20 miles; a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic {each way}
3. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley contains so many different things to see, including Badwater Basin {pictured}, the lowest point in the USA!
You’ll also find shifting sand dunes, colorful canyons, eerie rock formations and mountains that are so colorful they look like they were painted- in fact, you can take the Artist’s Drive to see them!
Distance from The Strip: About 115 miles; approximately a 2 hour drive {each way}
4. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is definitely the furthest one on this list, but if you get an early start it’s definitely doable as it’s not very big.
Red hoodoos are the stars at Bryce Canyon, and the best way to see them is by braving the famous Queen’s Garden to Navajo Loop trail, which will have you twisting your way through rock tunnels, hiking through pine forests, and gawking at the most unbelievable views of the sandstone hoodoos that make Bryce Canyon the incredibly photogenic place that it is.
Another way to explore as much as possible is by driving Highway 12 all the way to Rainbow Viewpoint and slowly making your way back. This road will have you passing by 13 different {but equally gorgeous} viewpoints guaranteed to drop your jaw right to the ground.
Distance from The Strip: About 260 miles; About a 4 hour drive {each way}
5. Mt. Charleston
Mt. Charleston feels like a mountain range from the Pacific Northwest- but it’s actually located just Northwest of Vegas! {In fact, it’s only a few minutes away from the part of town I live in.}
Mt. Charleston has consistently cooler temperatures and mountains absolutely brimming with evergreens. There was once a restaurant up there but it was unfortunately lost to a fire; a replacement lodge will be coming in it’s place soon.
In the meantime, you can drive through, stop for a hike, or even go sledding in the winter! If you’re into winter sports, Lee Canyon Ski Resort is located on Mt. Charleston, where you can ski and snowboard.
Distance from The Strip: About 40 miles; less than 1 hr each way
6. Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve is pretty much the epitome of what you think of when you hear the words “Western USA”. Not only is it filled with sand dunes and Joshua trees, but there are also ancient volcanoes and even petrified lava covering the ground!
Two of the must-do activities at Mojave include hiking up Kelso Sand dunes, which are famous for the noise they create by the vibrations of sand when it moves along the ridges, and hiking the Teutonia Peak Trail in order to see the largest Joshua Tree forest in the world!
Despite these amazing attractions, the Mojave National Preserve doesn’t tend to be very crowded, making it a great place to take your time and connect with nature.
Distance from The Strip: About 60 miles; Approximately 1 hr drive each way
7. Joshua Tree National Park
While this article is about the best day trips- and you definitely can take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park- I would highly recommend staying for the night time if you can. This national park is considered one of the best places in the country for stargazing!
Even if you only visit during the day, there’s plenty to do here. It’s a huge national park and is located exactly where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, combining two different ecosystems and providing lots of sights to take in.
Activities to choose from at Joshua Tree National Park include miles worth of hiking trails, horseback riding, biking, and even rock climbing if you’re feeling up for a challenge.
Distance from The Strip: About 180 miles; Approximately 3 hrs drive each way
Where will you sneak away to on your next trip to Vegas?
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