Living in Las Vegas has taught me one thing: while the Strip gets all the attention, the real magic often begins when you leave it behind. As a lifelong Las Vegas resident, I’ve spent decades exploring the incredible outdoor destinations that surround our city. One of the biggest surprises for newcomers is just how much natural beauty is within a short drive.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon, an adrenaline-filled adventure, or a weekend escape, here are my favorite outdoor activities that are all within about two hours of Las Vegas.
1. Hike the Trails at Red Rock Canyon
Drive Time: 20-30 minutes
Red Rock Canyon is practically Las Vegas’ backyard. With over two dozen hiking trails ranging from beginner-friendly walks to challenging climbs, there’s something for everyone.
Some of my favorite hikes include:
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Calico Tanks
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Ice Box Canyon
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Turtlehead Peak
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Lost Creek Trail (great for families)
If hiking isn’t your thing, simply drive the 13-mile Scenic Loop and enjoy some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in Nevada.
Local Tip: Visit early in the morning during summer. Temperatures rise quickly after 10 a.m.
2. Spend the Day at Valley of Fire State Park
Drive Time: About 1 hour
Valley of Fire feels like another planet.
The brilliant red sandstone formations glow during sunrise and sunset, making this one of the most photographed parks in Nevada.
Must-see attractions include:
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Fire Wave
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White Domes Trail
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Elephant Rock
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Mouse’s Tank
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Seven Sisters
Bring plenty of water because shade is extremely limited.
3. Cool Off at Mount Charleston
Drive Time: 45 minutes
When it’s 110° in Las Vegas, it might only be 75° at Mount Charleston.
This mountain escape offers:
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Beautiful pine forests
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Hiking trails
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Camping
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Picnic areas
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Winter skiing and snowboarding
Popular hikes include:
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Cathedral Rock
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Mary Jane Falls
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Fletcher Canyon
It’s one of my favorite places to escape the summer heat.
4. Explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Drive Time: 30-45 minutes
Lake Mead offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Activities include:
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Boating
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Jet skiing
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Paddleboarding
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Kayaking
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Fishing
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Swimming
One of the area’s hidden gems is paddling to Emerald Cave on the Colorado River.
5. Kayak the Colorado River
Drive Time: About 1 hour
Launching from Willow Beach gives you access to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Colorado River.
Highlights include:
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Crystal-clear water
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Emerald Cave
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Desert bighorn sheep
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Bald eagle sightings (seasonal)
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Arizona Hot Springs hike
This is one of the most peaceful outdoor adventures you’ll find anywhere near Las Vegas.
6. Off-Road Through the Mojave Desert
Drive Time: 20-60 minutes
Southern Nevada is an off-roader’s paradise.
Popular areas include:
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Logandale Trails
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Nellis Dunes
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Jean Dry Lake
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Hidden Valley
Whether you own a UTV or rent one locally, you’ll find hundreds of miles of incredible desert terrain.
7. Mountain Bike Bootleg Canyon
Drive Time: 30 minutes
Recognized nationally among mountain bikers, Bootleg Canyon offers trails for every skill level.
You’ll experience:
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Incredible downhill riding
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Desert scenery
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Technical rock gardens
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Amazing views of Lake Mead and Las Vegas
Even if you don’t ride, watching experienced riders tackle the terrain is impressive.
8. Explore the Historic Railroad Tunnels Trail
Drive Time: 40 minutes
This easy, family-friendly hike follows an abandoned railroad that helped build Hoover Dam.
The trail features:
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Five massive tunnels
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Beautiful lake views
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Hoover Dam overlooks
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Minimal elevation gain
It’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable hikes in Southern Nevada.
9. Visit Nelson Ghost Town & the Colorado River
Drive Time: About 1 hour
If you enjoy history and photography, Nelson is hard to beat.
Spend the day exploring:
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Historic mining buildings
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Antique cars
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Desert landscapes
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Nearby Colorado River viewpoints
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Techatticup Mine tours
This is one of my favorite places to bring visitors from out of town.
10. Explore Zion National Park
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Drive Time: About 2 hours
While technically in Utah, Zion is close enough to enjoy as a long day trip or overnight getaway.
World-famous hikes include:
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Angels Landing
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The Narrows
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Emerald Pools
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Canyon Overlook Trail
If you’ve never visited Zion, it’s absolutely worth adding to your bucket list.
Living in Las Vegas Means Living Near Adventure
People often think Las Vegas is just casinos and nightlife, but locals know that’s only a small part of the story.
Within two hours of the city, you can:
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Hike through red rock canyons
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Escape to cool mountain forests
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Kayak crystal-clear rivers
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Explore ghost towns
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Ride off-road trails
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Fish, boat, and paddle on Lake Mead
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Mountain bike world-class trails
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Visit one of America’s most spectacular national parks
As someone who’s called Las Vegas home for over 54 years, one of the things I appreciate most is how easy it is to trade city lights for open skies. Whether you’re new to the area or you’ve lived here for decades, there’s always another trail to hike, another scenic drive to enjoy, or another hidden gem waiting just outside the valley.
That’s one of the many reasons I continue to love calling Las Vegas home.
