One Day Trips from Las Vegas

Article by Jon Simpson









Las Vegas is a fantastic destination; vibrant, crazy and dazzling. But if you have the time, some wheels and a yearning explore beyond the bright lights of the casinos then there are some incredible landscapes to see within a day???s drive.


So, book flights to Las Vegas and transport yourself to the wilds of Nevadaâ??s stunning desert and still make it back to the Strip in time for dinner and a show!


Valley of Fire


Northeast of Las Vegas is Nevada’s first state park, Valley of Fire. Named for its flaming red-rock spires, the park is also home to other spectacular rock formations. A road-trip tour from Vegas can be done in four hours but itâ??s good to leave a full day for this one. The Valley of Fire is one of the most photogenic areas in the West. It’s impossible to take a bad picture here, but for truly spectacular images, be in the valley at dawn or sunset. Early morning is a great time to grab awesome road shots from the parking lot at Rainbow Vista.


There arenâ??t many places to eat on this route apart from a coffee shop at the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza, so bring your own food and picnic at one of the many scenic picnic areas inside the state park.


Death Valley


In less than three hours from Las Vegas you can be in can arrive at Furnace Creek, the major crossroads in Death Valley National Park. Furnace Creek offers everything from world-class dining at the historic there, a number of Death Valley’s most famous landmarks are just minutes away including Zabriskie Point, Badwater, Devil’s Golf Course, Artist’s Palette and Stovepipe Wells. Undeserving of its woeful name, Death Valley is home of hundreds of people, beautiful wildlife and lovely displays of springtime wildflowers, although in the summer months the heat is oppressive and conditions verify the moniker of Death Valley.
Zion National Park


10 hours is enough to drive to Zion National Park and back to Vegas with a few hours to drive around, making it a better place for an overnight or weekend trip if you have the time. Food is available on the way in Mesquite, Nevada and in St. George, Utah.


Zion is one of those places that defies easy description. From its tall golden walls, the deep canyon is like an enchanted interior like something from Lord of the Rings. The light snow-caps make the colourful rocks stunning in winter, but spring is just as captivating as all the trees on the forest floor begin to bear leaves. Summer is verdant, lush and green with the cool mountain temperatures and in autumn, the whole valley turns to gold. There is no bad time of year to visit Zion Park and if you decide you want to stay then the rustic and inviting Zion Lodge has rooms, cabins and a restaurant.


Red Rock Canyon


The closest natural wonder to Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, which is a mere 40-minute drive from the Strip. A one-way scenic loop through the most picturesque rock formations is like taking a hike without ever leaving your vehicle. Even so, it’s worth stopping at some of the parking areas and walking a bit for even better views and a closer look at the gorgeous flora and fauna in the area. If you’re lucky, you might even meet a desert tortoise!


Lake Mead


This enormous expanse of water made by the Hoover Dam creates an exquisite shoreline to explore. Half a day is enough to complete a loop tour of Lake Mead. Two warm springs, Rogers and Blue Point, are home to small fish and leopard frogs. Marinas dot the edge of the lake and several have restaurants and motels. You can rent a boat, kayak or canoe or just sunbathe on a beach. If you’re interested in archaeology, the ruins of the town of St. Thomas, which have been exposed by the declining water level in recent years, are fascinating to explore.


Mount Charleston


Mount Charleston rises to nearly 12,000 feet and offers skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer and a great road trip all year round. While it’s best to avoid it on rainy days, unless you like mountain driving in rain or snow, Mount Charleston offers an alpine getaway on a par with California’s Sierra Nevadaâ??s. The Mt. Charleston Hotel has a restaurant and bar with views of the valley. At the top, the Mount Charleston Lodge also offers food and drink along with spectacular views of the peaks and canyons. A trip up Mount Charleston and back can be completed in as little as two hours from the city; a little more time will allow for exploring on foot.


Grand Canyon


In Arizona, the Grand Canyon is quite a distance from Las Vegas but easily accessible and obviously a very, very worthwhile trip! A one-hour flight from Las Vegas will take you directly there. The Colorado River has etched out this canyon over millions of years and created a ravine that is one mile deep and 277 miles long. Sightseeing air tours of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas can be booked for almost every day of the year. You can also opt for a bus tour that takes you past the Hoover dam. If your budget stretches then donâ??t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see one of the seven natural wonders of the world!



About the Author

A true travel author, Jon loves nothing more than taking exciting journeys across the globe waiting for the next piece…