7 best day trips from Las Vegas

Day trips compared

The day trips

55 km · About 45 minutes by car

1.Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

Completed in 1936, the 221-metre Hoover Dam holds back the Colorado River to form Lake Mead. Walk across the top of the dam, take a guided tour inside, and see it from the pedestrian walkway on the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Boulder City and Lake Mead's marinas are nearby.

Getting there

Car or organised tour

Best for

First-timers, Families

80 km · About 1 hour by car

2.Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada's oldest state park has red sandstone formations such as Elephant Rock and the Fire Wave, petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and short trails through narrow canyons. Visit from autumn to spring; summer heat is dangerous on the trails.

Getting there

Car

Best for

Couples, Quiet stays, Families

200 km · About 2.5 hours by car

3.Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk

On Hualapai tribal land, Grand Canyon West is the closest part of the canyon to Las Vegas, with a glass Skywalk that extends over the rim. Views differ from those at the national park's South Rim, and entry is sold as packages.

Getting there

Car or organised tour

Best for

First-timers, Families

450 km · About 4.5 hours each way by car

4.Grand Canyon South Rim

The national park's South Rim has the classic panoramas from Mather Point, Yavapai Point and the Rim Trail. It is a very long day from Las Vegas; staying a night at Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan lets you see sunset and sunrise over the canyon.

Getting there

Car, coach tour or scenic flight

Best for

First-timers, Couples, Families

260 km · About 2.5–3 hours by car

5.Zion National Park

Zion's red and cream canyon walls tower over the Virgin River in southern Utah, which is an hour ahead of Nevada. In the main season the scenic drive is served by park shuttles, and walks range from the easy Riverside Walk to the Narrows and Angels Landing, which needs a permit.

Getting there

Car

Best for

Couples, First-timers, Quiet stays

200 km · About 2 hours by car

6.Death Valley National Park

The hottest and driest national park in the United States has the salt flats of Badwater Basin, 86 metres below sea level, the Mesquite Flat sand dunes and the eroded badlands at Zabriskie Point. Go between November and March; summer temperatures are extreme.

Getting there

Car

Best for

Couples, Quiet stays

70 km · About 1 hour by car

7.Mount Charleston

In the Spring Mountains north-west of the city, Mount Charleston's pine forests are often 10–15°C cooler than the Strip, with hiking trails in summer and snow in winter.

Getting there

Car

Best for

Families, Quiet stays

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• The Las Vegas Monorail runs behind the east side of the Strip from SAHARA to MGM Grand, with stops near the Convention Center, The LINQ and Paris Las Vegas.
• Buy passes in the rideRTC app before boarding.
• For trips over about 165 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask