8 National Park Tours from Las Vegas

Of course, we’re speaking relatively here when we talk about these parks being close to Las Vegas. Certainly, they’re not a mere half-mile outside the city limits, but if you have a day (or even two) to explore, there are lots of national parks and nature areas that are a reasonable one to five-hour drive from Las Vegas. 

Some of the most famous national parks and natural scenic areas within a half days drive from Las Vegas include: 

• Grand Canyon & the Colorado River 
• Bryce Canyon
• Zion National Park 
• Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
• Valley of Fire 
• Death Valley 
• Joshua Tree 
• Red Rock Canyon 
• Lake Powell 
• Monument Valley
• Antelope Canyon 

If you have a little more time on your hands and are interested in an adventure that spans several days, there are tours from Las Vegas that will also take you to Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. These adventures may include a helicopter tour, airplane transportation, or motorcoach with an experienced bus driver and tour director who will narrate the journey as you travel through many scenic areas. 

For now, we’ve selected eight top national parks tours from Las Vegas. In full disclosure, not all of these are true national parks, but they are national scenic areas, which we think are worthy of any travel bucket list. 

Located about four hours outside of Las Vegas in southern Utah is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. If you make your way to Bryce Canyon City, you’ll find yourself at the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Bryce Canyon is known for the hoodoos, which are tall irregular columns of rock. Hoodoos are found all over the world, but the largest collection of them on earth can be found at Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon is open and filled with spectacular sights year-round. 

Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are close enough that you’ll often find “twofers” when it comes to day trips to either of these parks. This small-group tour to Bryce Canyon National Park that also includes a trip to Zion is one of our favorites. 

Bryce Canyon National Park is the first stop on this tour. After departing from your hotel in Las Vegas, you’ll arrive at Bryce Canyon at about 11 am. You’ll spend some time exploring the multi-hued hoodoos and learn about the history and unique geological formations from an experienced tour guide. 

You’ll have the chance to explore and hike through parts of Bryce Canyon. Then after a couple of hours, you’ll stop for lunch to refuel. Then, it’s off to Zion National Park. You’ll arrive at Zion Canyon around 4 pm, where you’ll hike along paths and see the massive sandstone formations up close. You’ll enjoy the canyon’s evening colors before heading back to Las Vegas. 

Las Vegas hotel pick-up and drop-off are included. Admission into both national parks, bottled water, and lunch is also included in the price of this tour. 

Zion National Park is located in southern Utah and is about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas. Zion National Park is a beautiful nature preserve with steep cliffs, beautifully colored rocks, and endless scenic routes. 

Zion is Utah’s first national park. Sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and lots of hiking opportunities, There are several types of tours to Zion Canyon from Las Vegas, with many including at least a minimal amount of hiking. 

Are you ready to escape the Vegas scene and head out into the sanctuary of Zion National Park? With this tour, you’ll be picked up from your Las Vegas hotel nice and early, then venture off to Zion, where a day of exploration, hiking, and sightseeing awaits you. 

Along the way, you’ll travel through the Mojave Desert, historic places that include native lands, the Colorado Plateau, and the Virgin River, before entering Zion National Park with breathtaking views. After lunch, you’ll do a little hiking that includes visiting the emerald pools and beaches of the Virgin River. This is an entire day of raw beauty that’s a must if visiting Zion National Park is on your bucket list. 

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous parks in the United States. Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is about five hours or so outside of Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon is a geological treasure trove, with millions of years of history contained within the canyon walls. 

The Grand Canyon has many points that offer a spectacular view, and by joining one of the tours from Las Vegas, you’ll have the chance to experience much of it. Since the Grand Canyon is a decent day’s drive from Las Vegas, plan on spending an entire day or even two (or more) for a thorough tour of the canyon. 

Las Vegas Grand Canyon National Park tours offer an amazing escape and a chance to witness the unparalleled beauty of the Grand Canyon. Canyon Tours offers an adventure that takes you from the concrete jungle of Las Vegas to the sheer magnificence of the Grand Canyon, all in a single day. 

You’ll be escorted from your hotel to Grand Canyon National Park in a comfortable motorcoach that includes a guided, narrated tour. This journey takes you to the Grand Canyon West Rim. You’ll spend four hours exploring the Grand Canyon West Rim and also have the opportunity to visit the Hualapai Indian Lands. This tour also includes the memorable experience of enjoying lunch at the Grand Canyon West Rim, and you can also add on the open-air skywalk experience. 

Canyon Tours also offers a similar tour of the Grand Canyon South Rim, which includes a guided tour of the South Rim, a stop at the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center with IMAX Theater, and lunch at the Grand Canyon Village. West Rim and South Rim tours aren’t combined, but there’s no reason you can’t book two-day tours and see them both!

The Valley of Fire State Park is located in Overton, Nevada, and is located about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Named for warmly hued sandstone, the Valley of Fire lights up with brilliant reds and oranges when the sun hits just right. 

The Valley of Fire is one of the closest parks to Las Vegas, which makes it a top destination for a day trip away from city life. You can plan a trip to the Valley of Fire during the day and be back on the Strip to experience the bright lights and nightlife of Vegas after dark. 

Love Hikes offers a number of Valley of Fire hiking tours from Las Vegas that are far from your ordinary trail experience. These hikes are tailored to your fitness level and ability, with a variety of friendly, moderate, and intense hikes available. The lights of the Las Vegas Strip just can’t compare with the spectacular scenery of the Valley of Fire, especially right before sunset. 

This small-group hiking tour offers an interactive experience with a knowledgeable tour guide who will take you off the beaten path so that you can experience some of the hidden gems of the Valley of Fire in person. This tour is a great value and well suited for families and hikers of all abilities. Since this is a hiking tour, the weather conditions may affect tour availability. Transportation to and from your hotel is included, as are bottled water and snacks. 

The Hoover Dam stands on the Colorado River in the Black Canyon. Constructed in the 1930s, Hoover Dam still remains a monument of wonder. Nearly a hundred years later, the concrete in the dam is said to still be curing, and tales of its construction are still told today. 

At the base of the Hoover Dam is Lake Mead. The lake is the reservoir created by the Hoover Dam. In terms of water capacity, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam are located just a little over a half-hour from Las Vegas, making for a fun half-day or full-day excursion. 

Buckle up for a road trip to the Hoover Dam that doubles as an educational experience and an opportunity to take tons of great photos. On this tour, you’ll journey to the top of the Hoover Dam with breathtaking views. From the famous overlook, you have the opportunity for an unparalleled view of the Colorado River and Lake Mead. 

There is a moderate amount of walking on this tour, but you’re not doing a ton of hiking or strenuous activity, which makes this one of the most popular tours for sightseeing. In addition to visiting the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, you’ll also stop at a nearby park on the way back to Las Vegas. Here, you’ll see native wildlife, including Big Horn Sheep and possibly a bald eagle or two! This tour includes luxury transportation, entrance fees, bottled water, and snacks. 

Death Valley has an ominous name, but it’s one of the most gorgeous sights in the southwest. Situated on the border of Nevada and California, Death Valley is about 130 miles from Las Vegas, which equals out to about a two-hour drive. 

Death Valley is the hottest and driest national park. It’s also the lowest, sitting below sea level. The Titus Canyon is one of the most famous spots in Death Valley, but no matter where you are, the landscape is nothing short of breathtaking. 

Death Valley National Park is one of the most isolated places on earth. It’s also one of the most beautiful. Known for its harsh and extreme climate, Death Valley, with its striking landscape, is a sightseeing lover’s dream. Many people who experience this tour are taken aback by the sheer expansiveness of Death Valley, especially with stops at some of the valley’s most scenic viewpoints. 

You’ll travel to the heart of Death Valley, which includes stops at Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palled, and the Bad Water Basin, which is the lowest land point below sea level in the western hemisphere. Of course, there’s also a stop at the Death Valley gift shop. You can enjoy all of this and still be back in Las Vegas in time to enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Air-conditioned luxury transportation takes you to and from Death Valley, which means this tour is able to operate year-round. 

Joshua Tree National Park, located in southern California, is a protected natural area that’s characterized by a gorgeous landscape filled with Joshua trees, rugged rocks, and the vast desert. Located a little over three hours from Las Vegas, Joshua Tree National Park borders the Mojave Desert, and if you happen to visit at night, it is one of the most spectacular spots in the United States for viewing a starry sky. 

Unlike other tours on our list, Desert Wonder Tours doesn’t operate out of Las Vegas, but they do offer a Las Vegas pick-up option for this incredible tour that takes you not only to Joshua Tree but also the Grand Canyon National Park West Rim. Talk about doubling down on the scenic views!

This tour that takes you through the Joshua Tree forest is perfect for small groups. You’ll have the chance to not only see the famous Joshua Trees but also the amazing wildlife that fills the national park. This adventure includes a guided tour of the Grand Canyon West Rim, with optional activities available, including experiencing the Grand Canyon Skywalk. 

The departure date and time for this tour may vary by location of pickup, and group size is limited to eight people. 

Red Rock Canyon is Nevada’s first national conservation area. Located about 17 miles from Las Vegas, this is one of the most popular destinations for tours from Sin City. Red Rock Canyon offers a day full of hiking, horseback riding, or taking it easy and driving along the 13 miles of the scenic road. 

Grab your hiking boots and leave your nightclub attire at the hotel because you’re about to head out for one of the best hiking adventure tours from Las Vegas. This half-day hiking tour of the Red Rock Canyon is offered in multiple skill and experience levels and is the perfect way to spend some free time on a sunny afternoon in Nevada. 

An experienced tour guide leads you along paths, foothills, and even some scrambles if you’re up for it. A half-day tour is available for two people, but if you’re feeling really adventurous and have a group of at least four people, you can also sign up for the full-day hiking adventure. 

Are you ready to escape city life and spend some time enjoying the beauty and scenery of the national parks and national scenic areas of the southwest? Las Vegas makes a great starting point, with tours operating daily – many offering transportation to and from your Las Vegas hotel. 

Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip or want to spend a night or two exploring the scenic wonders of the southwest, there’s a national parks tour from Las Vegas for everyone!