Top 5 Las Vegas Day Trips
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Located in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is a great jumping-off point for day trips into the American Southwest. Vegas is surrounded by beautiful national parklands and man-made wonders. The contrast of these stunning locations against the neon of the Vegas strip can make a day trip even more memorable.
The city’s abundant sunshine invites visitors to get outside and be active. Travel to attractions in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and California is possible throughout the year. Nearly every Las Vegas hotel offers car rentals and the booking of tours and activities.
There are several factors to consider before booking. To derive our list of top 5 Las Vegas day trips we considered the quality of each experience in relation to the cost, travel time, and time spent on location for each activity. After much deliberation, here is our list of the top 5 Vegas day trips:
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Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (3205 State Highway 159, Las Vegas, NV)
Red Rock Canyon is in the Mohave Desert just west of the Las Vegas Strip. The recreational area’s desert flora is framed by brilliant red rock formations. Short hikes will take visitors to panoramic views, an 800-year-old petroglyph, Triassic fossils, and glimpses of wild horses. A 13-mile scenic route winds through the area making hiking trails, on and off-road biking, rock climbing, and picnicking accessible to most. There is a visitor's center with exhibits, a bookstore, and maps.
This trip is number one on our list for the stunning scenery, proximity to the Las Vegas Strip, affordability, and ease (for all ages and abilities) to immerse in an outdoor activity. There are many tours available to utilize the area with scenic drives, hiking, rock climbing, e-biking, and scootering just some of the choices. The area is close enough to Vegas that for a short transit time, you can spend an entire day outside enjoying all the location has to offer.
Quality of the Experience: Stunning natural vistas with fun outdoor activities.
Cost (2021): $15.00 per vehicle (timed entry); Tours starting from under $100.00 pp.
Transit: About 30 minutes (17 miles) from the Las Vegas strip. Expect a 4-8 hour day.
Time Spent on Location: It takes about 45 minutes to drive the 13-mile scenic route, but you can spend the day here checking out the visitor’s center and completing 1-2 short hikes or other activities.
Grand Canyon – South Rim (Verkamps Visitor Center, 100S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ)
By any measure, the Grand Canyon is a magnificent natural phenomenon. Though it is a long day, the Grand Canyon South Rim is our #2-day trip. The Village nestled around Verkamp’s Visitor Center has an intimate, authentic southwestern atmosphere. The historic lodges and studios concentrated in this area enhance the visitor’s experience. By far, this area’s great asset is the 1.9-mile section of the Rim Trail that runs from Yavapai Point to the Bright Angel Trail. Visitors walking the flat, wide trail can immerse themselves in one magnificent view after another. For most of the season, a shuttle bus transports visitors to popular lookouts.
The South Rim does not take the top spot on our list because the time spent on site is limited by the long ride to get here. While it is possible to take in all the sights mentioned above, there is not much time to linger or take a short hike into the canyon.
Quality of the Experience: Bucket list destination. Magnificent natural scenery with tasty food, fun shopping, and history in the South Rim Village.
Cost (2021): Dependent on the type of tour you book. Bus/Van tours start in the $100-125.00 range. Car Rentals start around $30-50.00/day. National Park Entrance Fees: Vehicle permit $35/day; individual permit $20/day.
Transit: About 5 hours (279 miles) from the Las Vegas Strip. Expect a 12-14 hour day.
Time Spent on Location: With convenience stops to/from location, plan for about 4 hours on site.
Zion National Park (1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT)
Journey to the stunning sandstone cliffs and valleys of Zion National Park. After stopping at the Visitor’s Center to view the exhibits and get maps, take the free shuttle bus that runs along the 12.5-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Hop on and off the shuttle for stunning views of the canyon floor, the Virgin River, magnificent red and pink cliffs that soar into the sky, and well-marked trailheads. There are a number of paved (Pa’rus Trail and Riverside Walk) and gravel trails (The Grotto and Kayyenta Trail) that are short, scenic, and well-suited for day-trippers.
Quality of the Experience: Brilliant scenery and short hikes in canyons filled with unique native plants and animals. See the southwest unspoiled as the Native Americans and early settlers once saw it.
Cost (2021): Dependent on the type of tour you book. Bus/Van tours start in the $50-175.00 range. Car Rentals start around $30-50.00/day. National Park Entrance Fees: Vehicle permit $35/day; individual permit $20/day.
Transit: About 2 hours 40 minutes (163 miles) from the Las Vegas strip. Expect around a 12-hour day.
Time Spent on Location: Plan for about a 4-6-hours visit on site.
Grand Canyon – West Rim (Hualapai Reservation, 808 Eagle Point Rd, Peach Springs, AZ)
At the West Rim, you can view one of the 7 natural wonders of the world through a glass floor suspended 4000’ above the Earth. The Grand Canyon’s West Rim takes number four on our list. Located and managed by the Hualapai Tribe, the reservation offers high adrenaline activities for adventure seekers. On-site visitors will find the SkyWalk, a U-shaped glass bridge with views of the Canyon floor below. Also offered at the location are zip lining, river rafting, and pontoon and helicopter tours. Visitors can spend time in the Eagle Point Native American Village and Guano Point. There is a shuttle bus service with general admission to drive you between lookouts and activities.
This development is not a part of the National Park System and is subject to its own rules and regulations. There are no phones or cameras allowed on the SkyWalk (photographs can be purchased). With so many rides and activities to market the atmosphere at this location can feel commercial, and lines can get long.
Quality of the Experience: See one of the world’s 7 natural wonders while completing adrenalin infused activities.
Cost (2021): General Admission: $45-55; add on SkyWalk Attraction $23-29.00. Separate charges for each additional activity. There are many tours offered to this location. Price is dependent upon the activities selected. Bus tours that include general admission and the shuttle bus start at around $115.00, with extra charges for any activities.
Transit: About 2.5 hours (130 miles) from the Las Vegas Strip.
Time Spent on Location: Varies, expect 4-5 hours on site. Expect a 10-hour day.
Hoover Dam (Visitors Center, 81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV)
Constructed during the depression, the Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River to produce hydroelectric power and water for irrigation. Mammoth in scope, it took thousands of workers to build the remarkable structure which is now a National Historic Landmark. Most tours from Las Vegas will include a stop for views of Lake Meade. Next, there is an opportunity to walk the Hoover Dam Bridge where visitors can enjoy the exceptional art deco architecture and panoramic views of the 1000’ dam and Lake Meade. When tours are in session, guided tours of the power plant and its passageways are also popular activities.
Quality of the Experience: The Hoover Dam is a civil engineering marvel. This remarkable structure is fun to visit and learn about.
Cost (2021): Half day tours begin at around $60.00. Tours to the Hoover Dam are often bundled with other activities.
Transit: About 52 minutes (36 miles) from the Las Vegas Strip.
Time Spent on Location: Plan to spend 1-3 hours on site.
Hope you have fun, Laura and Randy
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