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Las Vegas is well-known for its glitz and glam. But near Las Vegas lies a multitude of wonderful hikes just waiting for visitors to explore.
Many visit Vegas for drinking, partying and relaxing... but there's much more to Vegas! You'll find rugged landscapes just waiting to be explored. Outside of Las Vegas, there are mountains lined with pine trees, desert ecosystems and rock faces shaped by the Colorado River. You won't believe what amazing hikes you can find near Las Vegas.
Recommended Reading: The Best Women's Clothes for Hiking: A Guide to Everything you NeedThe Best Time to Visit Las Vegas for Hiking
The best time to hike near Las Vegas is spring & fall. Summers bring scorching temperatures well into the 100s, and winters can experience chilling lows. Whenever you decide to visit, Las Vegas has a lot of adventures to offer.
The 5 Best Hikes Near Las Vegas
These are the 5 best hikes near Las Vegas, and they're each completely unique and unforgettable! Trails range in difficulty, so there's something for everyone.
Recommended Reading: Hiking in Yosemite: The Best Reason to Visit this National ParkValley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is only an hours drive outside of Las Vegas. It features stunning red sandstone formations -including Aztec sandstone which was formed over 150 million years ago! These are the namesake of the park as they appear to be on fire when hit by the rays of the afternoon sun. Not to mention that this area is one of the hottest you will encounter in this area.
Valley of Fire State Park is also an excellent place to hunt for petroglyphs. The petroglyphs found here are the drawings made by the ancient pueblo peoples, also known as Anasazi, who lived on these lands 2,000 years ago. You may also find petrified trees and other interesting fossils.
Driving through Valley of Fire State Park is almost as exciting as hiking. You'll pass by stunning landscapes and appreciate a wide array of colours.
Valley of Fire is full of great adventures just waiting to be experienced such as rappelling. It is one of the most beautiful areas for this adventurous activity.
Firewave is, of course, the most noteworthy trail in this park. It's where you'll find sweeping white and pink designs that resemble ice cream cone swirls. I'm not kidding! Firewave is the most iconic, and most photographed site at Valley of Fire State Park. It is one of the most beautiful hikes near Las Vegas.
Pink Canyon and Rainbow vista are also stunning so if you're looking for more than one trail to hit while there, don't miss either. No matter where you hike in Valley of the Fire State Park, you won't be disappointed!
Recommended Reading: Everything You Need to Know About Rappelling in Valley of Fire State ParkMount Charleston
Mount Charleston is the highest peak within the Spring Mountains of Nevada. It's only about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Mount Charleston is a big area that offers hiking, skiing and camping opportunities.
Mount Charleston is unique. It doesn't look much like any other parts of Nevada. The peaks you'll see are made from jagged limestone. There are dense forests full of oak and pine trees. Here you will find interesting caves, valleys and waterfalls to discover.
With over 52 miles of hiking trails at Mount Charleston, this is a hikers dream! Mary Jane Falls is one of the best ones. It's a 3.1 mile out and back journey that gains nearly 1,000 feet in elevation. The trail is rated moderate, and it's well worth the views. This hike will take most people about 2 hours to complete. Along the way, you'll get to see an impressive cave and a waterfall!
Death Valley National Park
It takes a little over 3 hours to reach Death Valley National Park from Las Vegas. Although, it can be an excellent day trip if well planned. Death Valley National Park offers a unique array of landscapes. Here you will find salt flats and sand dunes, badlands and canyons. It's even got mountains and valleys! As you may imagine, this is a big park.
Even the drive through Death Valley is unforgettable. It's also known as "America's hottest, driest and lowest National Parks." Death Valley has an incredibly unique array of wildlife and it is recognized by UNESCO.
You've got to check out the Badwater Salt Flats and the Natural Bridge. These are both easy hikes. You can complete them in less than an hour each. The Golden Canyon/Badlands circuit is a bit more lengthy and challenging, but well worth it. This trail would take 3-4 hours to complete.
Although close to Las Vegas, many choose to spend a few nights here because it is a very big park with many hikes to explore! Some other scenic spots in Death Valley (that you'll have time to visit in one day) include Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course, and Zabriskie Point. Zabriskie Point has the best viewpoint in the park!
Recommended Reading: The Top 7 Hikes in Death Valley CaliforniaRed Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is very close to downtown Las Vegas. You can get there in 30 minutes or less driving. It's part of the Mojave Desert and it offers incredibly beautiful rock formations in a multitude of colours.
At Red Rock Canyon, you'll find Aztec sandstone which was formed over 180 million years ago. The red colours you'll notice come from iron oxide and hematite. When iron is exposed to natural elements it starts to rust. That's how you get reds, browns and oranges.
There's also limestone in the rocks at Red Rock Canyon. This limestone was created over 500 million years ago when Red Rock Canyon was underwater. This is a historic and geologically magnificent place where you can find fossils of marine life and, even, dinosaurs!
The top trails at Red Rock are Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon. Calico Tanks is a 2.5 mile out and back trail that's rated moderate. You'll get to climb at times, so it's quite fun.
Ice Box Canyon is also close to 2 miles out and back. Although, it offers entirely different views. This trail is popular for birdwatching. Can you believe how near to Las Vegas these amazing hikes are?
Sloan Canyon
The Sloan Canyon Conservation Area is another great site for hiking near Las Vegas. It's also very close to downtown, and it only takes 20 minutes to get there.
The Sloan Canyon area offers a unique opportunity to explore Archaic art. There are over 300 rock art panels and over 1,600 designs here.
The most remarkable trail is the Petroglyph Trail at Petroglyph Canyon. This is a 4.4-mile loop trail that gains almost 600 ft in elevation.
Recommended Reading: The Best Hiking Jackets for Every SeasonWhere to Stay in Las Vegas
Top Pick: Desert Rose ResortLocated less than two blocks from the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Desert Rose Resort offers a great location without the casino atmosphere. Enjoy the heated outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees. The resort offers guests contemporary suites which come with their own private balcony and a fully equipped kitchen. The property also offers a whirlpool and fitness centre as well as a barbecue area, convenience store and an onsite restaurant.
Top Pick: Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations - Center StripThe Elara by Hilton is located on the famous Las Vegas Strip and offers a health club and a tropical outdoor swimming pool. The guest rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows, a kitchen or kitchenette and luxurious marble bathrooms. Guests can enjoy the relaxing onsite lobby bar and the poolside bar in their downtime.
The Elara also offers a full-service concierge desk where guests can plan they're itinerary and get further information on things to do in and around Las Vegas.
Top Pick: Marriott's Grand ChateauThe Marriott's Grand Chateau is located off the Las Vegas Strip and offers a non-gaming and non-smoking atmosphere favoured by many guests. Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool as well as a selection of food and beverage options at the resort. The Sky Bar on the rooftop offers beautiful sunset views of the strip.
Each guest room is comfortable with a modern design and offers a microwave, a mini-refrigerator and a seating area. Some rooms offer guests panoramic views of the Strip. There is also an onsite fitness centre and a hot tub which guests are free to use.
Top Pick: The Carriage HouseLocated away from the Las Vegas Strip, the Carriage House offers spacious accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette. Guests can enjoy the use of the outdoor swimming pool and tennis court. The well-equipped fitness centre and hot tub are also open to guests.
How to Get to Hiking Trails Near Las Vegas
If you plan to hike outside of Las Vegas, you'll need a car. These parks are between 30 minutes to 3 hours (driving) from Las Vegas downtown. They are not accessible through public transport.
If you are flying into Las Vegas then make sure to hire a car here.
If great hiking is what you are looking for, then these five hikes near Las Vegas should be on your bucket list. You can enjoy the wonderful outdoors during the day and the famous Vegas vibe by night.
Written by Valentina. Valentina's Destinations was born from her obsession with meticulously researching, organizing, and planning her own travel itineraries. She is originally from Serbia but grew up in Chicago. She loves hunting down local restaurants, unique experiences, and hidden gems.
