The undisputed home of luxury and entertainment, Las Vegas is a featured city on the bucket list of all kinds of travelers.
It may be an entertainment oasis in the heart of the Nevada desert, but far from the bright lights and bustling casinos, there are many natural wonders to explore.
The excitement of Las Vegas can be exhausting, and a day trip to the great outdoors can provide a welcome balance for travelers to Sin City.
Here’s a 15-day tour from Las Vegas that offers all of Nevada’s attractions.
1. Grand Canyon
It can be said that the Grand Canyon is one of the most impressive natural landscapes in the world.
A day trip to the Grand Canyon takes you across state lines into northern Arizona, picking another 50 states from your U.S. bucket list.
Spanning a staggering 277 miles, the Grand Canyon has been etched into the earth by the Colorado River and is still in progress.
Over millions of years, this land has been naturally eroded by rivers and will continue to do so forever.
You can start your hike at the visitor center, where you can ask for advice on which trail is best for you.
2. Valley of Fire
The Valley of Fire is one of Nevada’s most iconic natural wonders.
The picture-perfect Valley of Fire is home to indigenous Indian petroglyphs, believed to date back more than 3,000 years.
These well-preserved stone carvings offer incredible insight into the lives of our ancestors.
At the Valley of Fire Visitor Center, you can learn more about these artifacts before visiting for yourself.
A true geographic wonder, the Valley of Fire is an amazing day trip from Las Vegas.
Be aware that temperatures can soar to 120F, make sure you stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
3. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park, named Death Valley for good reason, is one of the driest and hottest places on Earth.
Experiencing the harsh environment gives visitors an appreciation for the elements, especially water.
No day trip to this national park is complete without a visit to Furnace Creek, Badwater and Zabriskie Point.
On a day trip to Death Valley, you can visit eerie and desolate Rhyolite, a ghost town left behind after the Gold Rush.
Interesting and unusually hot, Death Valley is a sight to behold.
Charging your camera in Death Valley is the perfect place for panoramic shots.
4. Hoover Dam
In a country full of natural wonders, humans should also leave their mark on the land.
If you thought Las Vegas was an impressive man-made feat in the middle of the Nevada desert, then you must be in awe of the Hoover Dam.
The Hoover Dam took more than five years to build and required constant maintenance, creating the largest reservoir in the United States.
With a staggering 28.9 million acre-feet of water, the Hoover Dam is barely comprehensible.
Tours of the dam complex and adjacent power plants are offered throughout the day.
5. Area 51
One of the most mysterious places in the world, Area 51 is the perfect day trip from Las Vegas for curious travelers, conspiracy theorists and military enthusiasts.
A trip to Area 51 is a rare opportunity to visit one of the world’s most secretive military installations.
Of course, daytime visitors won’t get the same access as real-life Men in Black, and you won’t be able to read the active X-Files, but there’s a lot to explore.
Follow the alien highway to Little A’le’inn.
As the backdrop for countless documentaries and theatrical series, there’s plenty to keep your mind wandering at Area 51.
6. Red Rock Canyon
There are many impressive canyons on a day trip from Las Vegas, including Red Rock Canyon, the first national reserve implemented in Nevada.
One of the most convenient day trips from Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon is located 17 miles south of downtown.
Whether you choose to explore Red Rock Canyon on an electric bike, horseback, or on foot, a trip to this beautiful canyon is a highlight of the Mojave Desert.
In Red Rocks National Preserve, you’ll also find gorgeous red and cream Calico Mountains.
7. Bryce Canyon
Venturing into Bryce Canyon amazes everyone who visits.
With its extraordinary physical geography, the red rock Bryce Canyon is one of the most impressive landscapes in Nevada.
Let your imagination run wild and see if you can see the ruins of castles, battlements and walls among the red rocks.
Many said they could also see faces in the rocks.
Bryce Canyon is a stunning landscape that provides a pleasant contrast to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Combine Bryce Canyon with a trip to Zion National Park in a popular combo day trip from Las Vegas.
8. Zion National Park
Zion National Park is a destination in itself, one of the more versatile landscapes accessible from Las Vegas.
Unlike the desolate and pristine landscapes of other canyons around Las Vegas, the deep canyons are covered in greenery.
Zion National Park, home to an abundance of flora and fauna, lies within Utah’s state boundaries.
There’s another chance to tick off another US state if you count.
As an inspirational muse for artists, photographers, writers and more, Zion National Park is deeply remembered by all who visit.
9. Techatticup Gold Mine and El Dorado Canyon
Techatticup Gold Mine and El Dorado Canyon are a field day for adrenaline junkies.
Best Explore Techatticup Gold Mine and El Dorado Canyon Trail by ATV is a day trip from Las Vegas for the fun-loving, active traveler.
The Techatticup Gold Mine is the largest in Nevada, and El Dorado Canyon is home to more people than modern Las Vegas.
Exploring the Techatticup Gold Mine and El Dorado Canyon via ATV is a fun and memorable way to learn about the rich history of Nevada’s gold mining industry.
10. Tipton Hill Wilderness Area
The Tipton Mountain Wilderness Area is a convenient option for travelers looking to get off the beaten track on a day trip from Las Vegas.
Spread over 30,000 acres in this wilderness area in Mohave County, Tipton Hill towers over 7,148 feet of desolate landscape.
Best explored on foot or on horseback, the Tipton Mountain Wilderness area is a hidden gem.
Perfect for rock climbing The Tipton Mountain Wilderness is a haven for the intrepid traveller.
Home to wild wild horse herds, Tipton Hills is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets.
11. Los Angeles and Hollywood
For many, a trip to Los Angeles is nothing like a trip to Las Vegas, but it’s not.
Just 4 hours from Los Angeles, it’s an easy, direct day trip from Las Vegas.
During a day in the City of Angels, you can visit Beverly Hills, drive down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and take pictures with the Hollywood Sign.
After a fulfilling life in the desert, be sure to stroll along Los Angeles’ waterfront boardwalk before heading back to Las Vegas.
Book Online: From Las Vegas: VIP Los Angeles/Hollywood Day Tour
12. Lake Mead
In stark contrast to the Nevada desert, Lake Mead itself is best explored on a traditional paddle steamer.
The best experience is at night when you can hop aboard the Desert Princess and dine and drink as you glide across the calm waters of Lake Mead.
Lake Mead offers a relaxing and peaceful day trip away from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.
However, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area should be explored during the day, and there are many scenic walking trails that circle the lakeshore.
The perfect way to spend the day before boarding the Desert Princess before sunset.
Recommended Itinerary: Lake Mead National Park ATV Tour
13. Sloan Canyon National Monument
Just a half-hour drive from downtown Las Vegas is the most important rock art site in Nevada.
The site features more than 300 etchings in the red rock of the canyon, with 2,000 different depictions.
Careful efforts have been made to preserve these ancient petroglyphs, and visitors to Sloan Canyon National Monument are implored to stick with this path.
Far from ancestral art, Sloan Canyon National Preserve features dusty lake beds, massive rock towers, and of course, a picture-perfect desert.
14. Dixie National Forest
Spanning 8,000 square kilometers, Dixie National Forest is a great day trip from Las Vegas for nature lovers and travelers who want to visit as many American states as possible.
Dixie National Forest is located in Utah, on land between the Colorado River and the Great Basin.
Keep an eye out for the abundance of wildlife that supports the precious Dixie National Forest ecosystem.
Home to cougars, bobcats, and Utah prairie dogs, if you’re patient enough, you might spot these rare mammals.
Bird lovers should keep an eye out for blue grouse, wild turkey, and golden eagles.
15. Mount Charleston
With numerous canyons and deserts to explore on a day trip from Las Vegas, Mount Charleston offers travelers a contrasting landscape.
Just 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Mount Charleston is snow-capped in winter and perfect for sledding and skiing.
A stark contrast to the sweltering heat in Las Vegas.
Mount Charleston is the perfect day trip for travelers keen to experience the incredible versatility of the American West from a Las Vegas base.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels in Las Vegas (NV), NV
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