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Don’t miss trying one of these amazing day trips from Las Vegas while you’re enjoying Sin City. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas… right? If it has to stay, then why not escape from the city with one of these day trips from Las Vegas and share with the world!
We moved to Utah almost 10 years ago and with Las Vegas only 6 hours away we went a lot. Honestly, maybe too much. After having kids our trips to Las Vegas changed quite a bit. It’s still fun to go, but we go about it in a totally different way. As a result, we’ve spent more time exploring what’s outside the strip.
Why do day trips from Las Vegas?
On the strip Las Vegas is full tilt. Casinos, lights, shows, strange character begging you for money on the strip, and miles and miles of walking. It’s crazy and fun, but we usually need a day to relax and find balance.
Our favorite ways to do this?
Get out in nature, hike, hit museums in out of the way places and explore at our own pace. And we find the best way to do this is to get out of the city to explore the natural landscapes. So grab some wheels and let the adventure begin.
Bring it on desert!
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead – Day Trip 1
Constructed on the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936 the Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel even by today’s standards. After deliberation on how the water in the Colorado River should be used, the Hoover Dam was built during the great depression for power generation.
50 ft wide tunnels were drilled through the surrounding mountains to divert the Colorado River. I seriously can’t imagine what it must have been like to divert the entire Colorado River for this construction project.
Hoover Dam holds back Lake Mead, one of the biggest reservoirs in the nation. While the water levels at Lake Mead have been low in recent years, the Hoover dam is protected by two spillways. In 1983 the level of Lake Mead was so high it threatened to overtop the dam requiring these two spillways to be used. When you walk across the dam, think what it would have been like to watch water flood through the spillways.
For more information on the history of the Hoover Dam check out the Bureau of Reclamation website.
When to go: Year round
Driving Distance: ~75 miles round trip
Vegas to Hoover Dam ~45 min, 40 miles
Hoover Dam to Lake Mead Visitor Center ~10 min, 4 miles
Lake Mead Visitor Center to Las Vegas Strip ~40 min, 38 miles
Inside scoop: Pay to take the tour especially if this is your first time visiting a dam. The architecture is really beautiful. Learning about how dams generate electricity is also quite interesting.
Know before you go: Hoover Dam is located on federal lands and therefore falls under federal rules and guidelines. You’ll pass through security checkpoints in order to access the dam parking areas. As the dam sits located on federal lands marijuana and firearms are not permitted on the property.
Things to Do on a Day Trip to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
Visitor Center and Original Exhibit Building
Explore the exhibits in the visitor center and original exhibit building. Get a ticket for $10 which allows you to enjoy the self guided tour of the visitor center, watch the video and take in the history of Hoover Dam. Your ticket also gets you admission to the observation deck.
Dam Tours
There are a couple different tours to choose from. Some tours have age limits and fill up fast.
We went on the guided power plant tour which included spending time feeling the water rush through the penstock, view of the generator rooms, and the incredible architecture of the power house. A guided dam tour is also available; however, we weren’t able to do it because the boys were too young. My parents have done this one though and say it was awesome.
Winged Figures and Hoover Dam Grounds
A stop at the winged figures is a must at Hoover Dam. The winged figures were commissioned from Oskar J.W. Hansen. Looking like they could belong in Egypt they flank a 142ft flag pole with a celestial map underneath.
You can also walk along the bridge crossing the Nevada – Arizona border. From here you can get views of the intake towers, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and the Freedom Bridge which allows traffic to bypass the Hoover Dam.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
If you’re up for it and still have energy to spare, end your day in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Here you can enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, and fishing. Have an extra night to spare? Camping is also popular in this area.
Start your visit with a stop at the Visitor Center near Boulder City. Here you’ll learn more about the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and get help with any questions you might have on activities.
Grand Canyon West– Day Trip 2
The Grand Canyon, carved by the mighty Colorado River, is a staggering 277 miles long stretching from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. It’s breathtaking to say the least and absolutely worth the trip.
Dubbed one of the natural wonders of the world it’s no wonder the Grand Canyon attracts visitors from around the world. Even for a non-geologist, you can’t help but marvel over the canyon’s geology.
Personally, the Grand Canyon holds a special place in my heart. After dating for 5 years, Troy took me here to propose! Cliché perhaps, but incredibly romantic. We took a morning helicopter flight from Vegas and had a champagne breakfast at the rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s was once in a lifetime experience and worth every penny!
There are several ways to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas depending on your budget and timelines. Check out some of these ideas below.
For more information on the Grand Canyon check out the Grand Canyon West website.
When to go: Year round
Driving Distance: ~260 miles round trip
Las Vegas Strip to Grand Canyon Sky Walk 130 miles, 2.5 hours (one way)
Inside scoop: The Grand Canyon is breathtaking. As one of the natural wonders of the world this may be your only chance for bragging rights that you actually walked on top of it!
Know before you go: You can’t take your own pictures on the skywalk, but you can purchase them from a professional photographer after.
Things to Do on a Day Trip to Grand Canyon West
Grand Canyon Skywalk and Eagle Point
Don’t think you’re afraid of heights?
Test that theory with the Grand Canyon West skywalk.
The skywalk is positioned 70 ft out over the Grand Canyon allowing you to look through the glass to the canyon floor 4000 ft below. Wow! That’s a long way down.
Arrive early. Not surprising given the distance from Las Vegas vistiors peak in the afternoon. Whether you are an early riser or not; this may be the time to get an early jump on your day.
The only downside to visiting the skywalk is that you won’t be able to take your own pictures while out on the skywalk. Not to worry though you can buy professional photographs if you choose.
Once you’re done at the Sky Walk make your way over to Eagle Point. Here you can learn more about Native American culture. Tour the native American village and watch a traditional show in the amphitheater while you are here.
Colorado River Rafting
Adventure awaits in Grand Canyon West.
You can book a single or multi-day rafting tour down the Colorado River. Experienced guides will take you down the river where you can watch for wildlife, enjoy lunch and hike out.
Admittedly, we haven’t done this. After going on my own personal white water adventure in the Adirondacks, I haven’t been in any rush to get back on white water. Plus, our kids are too young to go on these adventures.
Helicopter Flight from Las Vegas to the Rim
There are several companies and options for a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Some of these tours will fly over the Canyon and the Strip and some will land so you can enjoy the Grand Canyon Rim. You can usually choose from a sunrise tour that includes breakfast, an evening tour where you can enjoy the lights of the Las Vegas strip, and of course there are other choices depending on your wants and needs.
We chose a sunrise helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon when we went to Las Vegas for the first time. It was expensive, but a once in a life time experience! Troy surprised me with an engagement proposal over our champagne breakfast. Talk about a magical moment. Not surprisingly, this day trip has a special place for both of us.
Valley of Fire State Park - Day Trip 3
Have you ever dreamed of going to the extremely popular The Wave attraction in Utah? If you have, then Valley of Fire State Park is for you. Boasting 40,000 acres of red sandstone mixed with gray and tan sandstones, the rock is stunning to say the least.
Valley of Fire State Park is open daily sunrise to sunset. During your visit hunt for rock art, hike, and even learn how to throw an Atlatal.
For more information check out the Nevada State Parks website.
When to go: Year round
Driving Distance: ~112 miles round trip
Las Vegas Strip to Vally of Fire State Park 56 miles, 1 hour (one way)
Inside scoop: The rock in the park has such incredible colors. It’s easy to let your mind run wild with the beauty.
Know before you go: Outdoor activities in the summer can quickly lead to dehydration. Be prepared with plenty of water and salty snacks.
Things to Do on a Day Trip to Valley of Fire State Park
Visitor Center and Ranger Programs
Start your visit at the visitor center where you can learn more about the geology of the park and the first peoples who inhabited this area. There is a $10 fee to enter the park.
We recommend starting here first as you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the ranger programs for the day. While we were here, we attended a kid’s program on how rock art was created where the boys got to create their own art on small stones. Later in the morning we also attended a program for learning to throw an Atlatal.
Hiking
Hiking is most comfortable in the fall, winter, and early spring. Remember that whenever you’re hiking in the desert you can get easily dehydrated.
Drink lots of water. And eat salty snacks to keep a good electrolyte balance. Then drink lots of water. In fact, during our visit there were 2 tourists that needed to be removed by ambulance for dehydration and that was in May. We can’t stress enough to make sure you are drinking enough water.
Trails range in length from ~0.25 mile to greater than 6 miles. For a short walk to an observation point, check out balancing rock. Elephant rock is a bit of a hike to get to, but you are rewarded with views of a rock that really does look like an elephant.
The must do hike (if you’re up for it) is the Rainbow Vista. Rainbow Vista hike will bring back memories of The Wave in Utah if you’ve been or seen pictures. It’s about 2 miles round trip with almost no shade. If you’re here during summer it may not be practical to hike. You’ll be able to see some of the rock from the road, but walking on it is pretty incredible.
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