Day Trips From Las Vegas

Distance From Las Vegas – 15 Miles

To start off our list of day trips from Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon seems like the natural first choice. It’s the closest location to Las Vegas, being only about 15 miles from the city. This means you can spend less time in transit and more time enjoying this gem of the Nevada desert. 

Red Rock Canyon is known for the picturesque landscape of the massive rock formations. The area is vibrantly colored with hues of red and burnt orange throughout – hence the name. 

There’s a thirteen-mile scenic loop that can be driven through the canyon, and there are tours from Las Vegas that will take you through only that scenic loop and the visitor center. 

However, if you want more of a full-day excursion, there are well-maintained walking and hiking trails, plus the area is well-known for offering some of the best rock climbing opportunities in the Las Vegas area. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 20 Miles

If your idea of a day trip from Las Vegas is something a bit posher and a lot less sweaty than most of the day trips offered, then a day spent at Lake Las Vegas might be right up your alley. 

Lake Las Vegas has been coined as an oasis in the middle of the desert. It’s a man-made lake that has become a bit of a touristy destination, with developments popping up around the lake. Granted, it’s not a natural lake out in the middle of nowhere, but it’s a short, fun trip from Las Vegas, and there’s plenty to do. 

Cruises and boating tours of the lake are available. There’s a golf course nearby, along with dining and shopping. If you’re feeling a little more sporty, there are beginner-level hiking trails around the lake. 

You might not be able to find a guided tour of Lake Las Vegas, but it’s a quick trip via car or bus.

Distance From Las Vegas – 27 Miles

The Seven Magic Mountains is a colorful art installation in the middle of the desert by Ugo Rondinone. The exhibit, which opened in 2016, features colorful boulders that are stacked on top of each other. It’s an art installation that’s larger than life and can’t be missed. 

Seven Magic Mountains isn’t far from Las Vegas and doesn’t make a long day trip on its own. However, it’s a good first stop to make on your way out of town toward one of the day trip destinations that are further away.  

Distance From Las Vegas – 37 Miles

Many visitors to Las Vegas aren’t aware of how close the city is to so many national sights in this region of the country. For instance, the Hoover Dam. You might recognize the name, but have you ever been? If not, taking a little excursion while you’re in Vegas is something that should be added to your list. 

Hoover Dam is located in Black Canyon on the Colorado River, which eventually flows through the Grand Canyon. It’s the highest arch dam made of concrete in the United States, and it sits right at the border of Nevada and Arizona. 

The Hoover Dam was built in 1931 and has been attracting visitors ever since. Lake Mead sits at the base of the Hoover Dam.

Most Hoover Dam day trips from Las Vegas are part of a larger tour package, with the Hoover Dam and the Lake Mead Recreation Area being the first stop along the way. Still, it’s an easy trip to make on your own if you’re yearning to get out of Las Vegas for a few hours. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 55 Miles

If you want to take your day trip to Hoover Dam and extend it out a bit, Emerald Cave at Black Canyon is a gorgeous add-on. This is one of the most beautiful destinations if you like to kayak. The Emerald Cave gets its name from the emerald pools found there. They do truly look jewel-toned, even up close. 

Emerald Cave, kayaking day trips usually begin at either Hoover Dam or Willow Beach. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 45 Miles

What might seem like an abandoned tiny town today was once a booming mining town. Today, it sits outside of Las Vegas, welcoming tourists and the curious – and it has even become a popular spot to tie the knot! We love day trips from Las Vegas that are infused with history, and this one is strong with the history of Nevada. 

Nelson Ghost Town is only about an hour outside of Las Vegas, and while it’s extremely interesting, you probably aren’t going to spend the entire day here. So think of this as more of a half-day excursion rather than one of the full-day trips from Las Vegas. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 45 Miles

When it comes to stunning scenery, the Valley of Fire State Park tops our list. We know there are incredible sites near Las Vegas, but the Valley of Fire is reasonably close and less crowded than other day trip destinations like the Grand Canyon, and the fiery colors of the sandstone cliffs make this location one that should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

When you visit the Valley of Fire, make sure you get the chance to see Elephant Rock and Atlatl Rock, along with the petroglyphs that remain after 3000 years! 

Distance From Las Vegas 82 Miles

We’ve all heard the stories and theories about Area 51. Unlike some of the other day trips from Las Vegas on our list, this one isn’t about seeing the natural sights, hiking, or climbing anything. Instead, it’s pure fun for the curious and lovers of kitschy history and extraterrestrial speculation. 

You can’t actually get into Area 51. Please don’t even try – it won’t turn out well for you. But on your way from Las Vegas heading toward Area 51, you’ll take what is affectionately known as Extraterrestrial Highway, where you’ll come across lots of stops and touristy destinations that tie into the theme – one of our personal favorites being the Alien Research Center. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 128 Miles

Snow Canyon State Park is located in Utah and is a beautiful place to explore if you enjoy hiking or biking. You can also explore the red Navajo sandstone by horseback – how much fun is that?

There are about 38 miles of hiking trails, offering varying degrees of difficulty, a nice paved path that’s three miles long, and 15 miles of trails that are specifically designed for horseback riding. 

Snow Canyon State Park spans 7,400 acres and is a natural area built by lava and wind. The majestic formations offer a softer desert landscape than you might be used to, but that’s what makes this such a wonderful spot for sightseeing and nature photography. 

You’ll definitely want to plan on spending the entire day here and keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that calls Snow Canyon their home. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 130 Miles

So, you want to escape Sin City for the day. How does a visit to the absolute hottest and driest location in Las Vegas sound? Death Valley National Park sounds intimidating, but it’s actually filled with natural beauty and offers refuge to many different species of local wildlife. 

When visiting Death Valley National Park, you’ll also find yourself at Badwater Basin – the lowest point below sea level in the western hemisphere. You’ll also want to make a stop at Dante’s View (don’t forget your camera! ). 

Keep in mind that during most of the year, Death Valley is extremely hot during the day. Take precautions by making sure you’re dressed properly and have plenty of hydration with you.

There is a visitor’s center at Death Valley National Park where you can recharge, refuel, and pick up a couple of souvenirs. 

A safer, more comfortable way to experience Death Valley is with a guided tour that departs from Las Vegas. Sitting back in an air-conditioned luxury vehicle and enjoying the scenery is much more relaxing than being behind the wheel. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 150 Miles

Lake Havasu City is one of the great day trips from Las Vegas for those that want to see another side of city life. Lake Havasu City is popular and decently sized but offers an entirely different vibe than what you get with Las Vegas. 

Lake Havasu City has its own claim to fame, with that being that part of the actual London Bridge is sitting and functional right in town. There are beaches, water sports, hiking trails, shopping, dining, golf, and so much more that make this one of the best Las Vegas day trips.

Distance From Las Vegas – 150 Miles

Zion National Park is just a few hours away from Las Vegas by car, but once you set out on your journey, you’ll encounter a landscape like no other.

Zion is one of two popular national parks that are located in Utah, the other being Bryce Canyon National Park. When looking at day trip tour options that depart from Las Vegas, the two national parks are often included together in the same tour. 

One of our favorite things about this day trip is the sharp contrast of landscapes along the way. It moves from lush and green into the painted hues of the red rock cliffs as you approach Zion. Along the way, you’ll see the Virgin River Gorge, and there are numerous other scenic points along the way that you’ll want to stop at – at least, we wanted to stop at all of them.

Our most important piece of advice for this day trip is to just take your time. Stop at the scenic overlooks, bring a lunch, and plan for some extra time so that you don’t feel rushed and can enjoy the natural wonders that surround you. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 165 Miles

Cathedral Gorge State Park is one of the best day trips from Las Vegas for anyone that has a passion for photography. The name comes from the rock formations that are the result of the beautiful work of mother nature. 

The formations are of soft bentonite clay that was deposited in layers from volcanic explosions. The beginnings of Cathedral Gorge sound violent, but the resulting beauty has a certain softness to it. 

Unfortunately, we haven’t found many day trips from Las Vegas to Cathedral Gorge, so you might be on your own for this one. Still, if you have a day that you want to devote to exploring a naturally beautiful area that won’t be as crowded as other state parks, we really love to recommend this destination. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 199 Miles

Joshua Tree is located in southern California and often gets neglected by tour companies that offer day trips from Las Vegas. We’re not sure why because we have absolutely loved every trip we’ve taken to Joshua Tree. 

The terrain is rugged but feels a little surreal. You’re in the middle of nowhere but almost feel as though you’re on a movie set – it’s just that picturesque.

If you get the chance to take a day trip to Joshua Tree, we recommend making it a night trip as well. In our opinion, there’s no better location in the world to stargaze than at Joshua Tree. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 260 Miles

We’ve taken day trips to Bryce Canyon National Park from Las Vegas and have enjoyed every second that we were there. The one regret that we’ve had is that we’ve wished we had more time.

When you visit, there’s a pass you can purchase that allows you to stay overnight in the park as you hike a 23-mile trail. If you’re the more adventurous type and have some extra time on your hands, this would be an amazing experience. 

But, if you’re like the rest of us and just want to get the most out of a day trip, there are a handful of viewpoints that you don’t want to miss. Make sure to plan your itinerary to include these gorgeous spots:

• Sunrise Point
• Sunset Point 
• Natural Bridge
• Bryce Point 
• Parla View 
• Rainbow Point
• Dixie National Forest

Distance From Las Vegas – 280 Miles

The world-famous Grand Canyon National Park is something that everyone should see and experience at least once in their lives. As far as guided tours go, the Grand Canyon definitely ranks among the top day trips from Las Vegas.

The day trip distance is a little further than other destinations on this list – but it’s the Grand Canyon and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, so it’s worth it! 

While you can make this drive yourself, we strongly recommend connecting with one of the reputable tour companies in Las Vegas. Having the round-trip transportation taken care of and letting someone else handle the itinerary is a huge convenience perk. 

The Grand Canyon features many different highlights, and chances are you’ll want to cram them all into one visit. We suggest breaking things up and taking two separate trips. You really can’t see and appreciate the entire canyon in a single day. 

If you choose to go with a tour, there are options for rafting down the Colorado River, Visiting the Grand Canyon caverns, the Grand Canyon South Rim or the Grand Canyon West Rim, taking in the picturesque Horseshoe Bend, following the canyon overlook trail, and visiting the Lake Mead Recreational Area.

Don’t forget to make a stop at the visitor center to learn some interesting facts while you’re there. 

Distance From Las Vegas – 280 Miles

A visit to Antelope Canyon is one of the most strikingly beautiful day trips from Las Vegas. The slot canyons look smooth, almost like rippled silk. You can take a trip to explore either the upper or the lower Antelope Canyon, but you likely won’t do them both in a single day. 

The only way to enter and explore Antelope Canyon is with a guided walking tour, so this is one that you won’t be able to do on your own. There is some mild hiking and a little walking involved, but it’s nothing that’s too strenuous for the average person. 

• Day trips from Las Vegas can be for destinations as close as Red Rock Canyon, all the way to the Grand Canyon West Rim.
• Sin City is set in the Mojave Desert, which offers a gorgeous backdrop for exploration, even if you don’t want to venture too far out of the city.
• Zion, Bryce, the Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam are some of the most popular day-trip destinations. 
• Don’t just head straight to your destination – instead, plan stops along the way, such as the Nevada State Railroad Museum and Hoover Dam, or just stop to take in the sights of the Mojave Desert.
• It’s often easier and more enjoyable to take a day trip as part of a guided tour.
• Guided tour options will pick you up and drop you off at your Las Vegas hotel.