Day Trips Only an Hour or Two Away from Vegas
While the Strip is full of luxurious casinos and things to do, there’s only so much to experience on a 4.2-mile long road. You came to Vegas to have fun but there’s a whole world past the city not a lot of visitors include on their bucket list.
For when you’re wanting a break from all the bright lights and noise, there are day trips you can take to explore the rest of Nevada. And the best part? They’re only an hour or two away from Sin City.
Ready to see what they are? Let’s check them out!
Valley of Fire
About an hour away from Vegas in Overton, Nevada is the Valley of Fire. Its red sandstone mountains run over 40,000 acres long. These mountains were once formed from shifting sand dunes over 150 million years ago.
Not only are the mountains one to see but there are also ancient petroglyphs, thought to be more than 2,000 years old. If you’re planning to go, be warned that temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees so stay hydrated!
Lake Mead
What better way to cool off than a dip or boat ride through Lake Mead? It’s the largest man-made lake and it connects to the Colorado River.
You can go boating, canoeing, kayaking—whatever floats your boat (pun intended). There’s also fishing where you can catch catfish, sunfish, trout, and more. While you’re at, camp underneath the stars at one of their campgrounds or at one of their resorts.
One fun thing to do at the marina? Buy a bag of popcorn from their convenience store and feed the fish. You’ll see swarms of bass come to the surface.
Mount Charleston
Situated in the Spring Mountains is Mount Charleston with the highest peak in the county. There are plenty of things to do like hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping.
Mount Charleston is a year-round destination. In the winter, it turns into a skier’s paradise with fresh snow that falls daily. When the temperatures are over 100, it’s at least 20 to 30 degrees cooler in the mountains.
There’s also a lot of natural wonders to see like unique flowers and plants. While exploring the area, expect to see wildlife like the black-tailed jackrabbit, kit fox, mule deer, mountain lions, and more.
Laughlin
About an hour and a half away from Vegas is the town of Laughlin. It sits on the Colorado River, making it the perfect destination for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Established in 1940, the town catered to miners. It was originally called South Pointe until Don Laughlin bought the property. Now, it’s a thriving tourist destination with nine hotels and casinos, 60 restaurants, and plenty of places for shopping.
As for things to do, you can take a boat tour up the river, all the way to Lake Havasu City in Arizona. There’s an extravagant golf course; after you’re done practicing your swing, head to their relaxing spa to unwind.
St. George
St. George, Utah is about an hour and 45-minute drive from Las Vegas. It’s surrounded by beautiful red rocks perfect for hiking.
The town is also surrounded by a lot of state parks. There’s Gunlock, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow, and Snow Canyon—all dubbed as the Greater Zion area.
St. George makes for a great destination thanks to its variety of different areas, all with different and unique things to do. It’s also a place to see a lot of greenery and lakes.
Wetlands Park
For this day trip, you won’t have to venture that far from the city. It’s about 20 minutes away.
The Clark County Wetlands Park makes you feel like you traveled to another country. It’s filled with a variety of plant and animal species.
To learn about the history of the area, check out the Nature Center, located on the premises. Over at the Auditorium is where you’ll find movies explaining all the ways the park is protected and helps wildlife flourish. When you get hungry, head to their Indoor Picnic Café to enjoy your feast indoors.
Hoover Dam
You can’t visit Nevada without going to see the Hoover Dam. It sits along the Colorado River, and is between Nevada and Arizona. You can literally have one foot in Nevada and the other in Arizona!
It was built during the Depression within five years. Nearly 21,000 men from almost all 50 states came to construct it.
To learn more about this massive concrete structure, take a tour. You can tour the dam itself along with the powerplant to learn the ins and outs of how it all works.
Death Valley
Death Valley sits below sea level, keeping it at a steady drought. It’s constantly hot, with temperatures reaching as high as 130 degrees. Why would you want to visit the seemingly hottest place in the desert?
It’s gorgeous! There are rolling dunes, salt flats, tall mountains, cavernous canyons, even a ghost town. To top it all off, it’s home to strikingly beautiful wildflowers like Desert Gold, Lilac Sunbonnet, Bear Poppy, and more.
There are lots of outdoor activities to do along with guided tours. If you want to stay the night out in the desert, you can camp or stay at one of the hotels.
Planning to visit in the summer? Make sure to bring plenty of water for both yourself and your car. The weather conditions can be treacherous at times, especially when nearby roads are flooded. Always take precautions when making the trip.
Take a Day Trip Today
For when you’re wanting more out of your trip to Las Vegas, head to one of these places. They’re only an hour or two away from the city, making them the perfect day trips.
Want to travel to the Grand Canyon? Book your helicopter tour today!
