Las Vegas, often known for its bright lights and party atmosphere, offers much more than the excitement of the Strip.
Within just a few hours' drive from the city limits, you can find some of the most stunning landscapes and unique attractions in the American Southwest.
Whether you are interested in scenic trails, historic landmarks, or vibrant art installations, there are plenty of destinations to explore on a Las Vegas road trip.
Here are 21 of the best places to visit near Las Vegas by car, each offering its own unique experience and breathtaking views.
1. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Distance from Las Vegas: 14 miles
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a popular destination for visitors and locals, offering a range of activities and attractions.
It features a 13-mile one-way scenic drive with parking areas and trail access, making it ideal for hiking and enjoying the stunning vistas.
The area is famous for exceptional rock climbing on the impressive red Aztec sandstone cliffs, and it also offers opportunities for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Wildlife enthusiasts can spot desert bighorn sheep, Gila monsters, desert tortoises, and various bird species in their natural habitats.
The geology of Red Rock Canyon is fascinating, with sandstone escarpments and dinosaur tracks waiting to be explored.
Visitors can admire Joshua trees and threatened wildflowers, adding to the area's natural beauty.
The Visitor Center offers valuable information and interpretation about recreation opportunities, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and a book and gift store.
2. Lake Las Vegas
Distance from Las Vegas: 20 miles
Lake Las Vegas, a Mediterranean-style resort community in Henderson, Nevada, offers a unique experience and a tranquil retreat from the Las Vegas Strip.
Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and outdoor activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, water jetpacks, and hoverboards. The area also features hiking trails and desert dune buggy rides.
Golf enthusiasts can play at two prestigious golf courses. Furthermore, you can indulge in international cuisine at the community's excellent restaurants or treat yourself to something special at the various shops.
3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Distance from Las Vegas: 20 miles
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, spanning Arizona and Nevada, is a desert recreation area that offers a variety of outdoor activities and scenic views.
As the largest reservoir in the American Southwest by water capacity, Lake Mead features 750 miles of shoreline where visitors can enjoy boating, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and sport fishing.
The area boasts nine wilderness areas and backcountry trails for hiking, including the popular old railroad trail.
Camping enthusiasts can choose from 15 lakeside locations for tent and RV camping, while shaded picnic areas with tables, grills, and restrooms provide perfect spots for a relaxing meal.
4. Boulder City
Distance from Las Vegas: 26 miles
Boulder City, Nevada, is a charming small town known for its historic district, which features a delightful blend of original 1930s architecture alongside modern stores and restaurants.
Visitors can explore Nevada Way, home to souvenir shops, antique stores, eateries, parks, and retro motels.
While in Boulder City, you can tour a century-old mine, hike the Historic Railroad Trail or the Royal Arch, and discover the Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail. The town also boasts impressive street art, adding to its unique character.
5. Seven Magic Mountains
Distance from Las Vegas: 26 miles
Seven Magic Mountains is a vibrant public art installation created by Ugo Rondinone. Located along Interstate 15, it features seven totems, each standing 30 to 35 feet tall, made from locally sourced, brightly painted boulders.
This installation juxtaposes the artificial world, represented by the colorful rocks and proximity to the interstate, with the natural world, set against the mountain range, desert, and Jean Dry Lake. This striking blend creates a unique visual experience within the desert landscape.
6. Hoover Dam
Distance from Las Vegas: 35 miles
The Hoover Dam is a renowned sightseeing destination that showcases a remarkable blend of natural beauty and engineering prowess.
Constructed between 1930 and 1936, it was the world's tallest dam upon completion, containing enough concrete to pave a road from San Francisco to New York City, with a base as thick as two football fields.
Visitors can take a tour to explore the dam's history, engineering, and lesser-known areas. Moreover, visit the scenic viewing area on the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which offers spectacular views of the Colorado River and Black Canyon from 900 feet above.
7. Mount Charleston
Distance from Las Vegas: 36 miles
Mount Charleston, also known as a sky island due to its high elevation and isolation from the desert lowlands, is a year-round destination within a 45-minute drive of Las Vegas.
The wilderness area, part of the Spring Mountains, includes Charleston Peak at 11,918 feet and is home to 18,000 acres of bristlecone pine.
Visitors can enjoy over 50 miles of maintained hiking trails, including Fletcher Canyon and Eagle's Nest, which offer views of wildlife and wildflowers. The area also features four campgrounds and skiing at Lee Canyon during winter.
Moreover, the Spring Mountains Visitor Center provides information about the area's history and natural features, along with trails, exhibits, amphitheaters, and the Seven Stones Plaza, which educates visitors about the seven Southern Paiute tribes.
8. Valley of Fire State Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 46 miles
World-renowned for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops set against gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire State Park features ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs that date back more than 2,000 years.
The Visitor Center offers exhibits on the park's geology, ecology, prehistory, and history. This park is ideal for hiking, featuring various trails under 2 miles, rock climbing, photography, weddings, and camping.
9. Mojave National Preserve
Distance from Las Vegas: 68 miles
Mojave National Preserve boasts various ecological habitats, including water-sculpted canyons, ancient lava flows, limestone caverns, and expansive sand dunes.
It is home to California's second-largest sand dune system and the world's largest and densest Joshua tree forest, covering Cima Dome and Shadow Valley.
Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking and 4-wheeling, with the 3-mile round-trip Teutonia Peak Trail being a recommended route that offers views of Cima Dome and passes through untouched desert greenery from the 2020 wildfire.
10. Death Valley National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 123 miles
Death Valley National Park is renowned for its extremes and contrasts, offering a unique experience for every visitor.
As the lowest, hottest, and driest place in North America, the park experiences record-breaking summer heat and steady drought, yet winter snow can blanket the towering peaks, and occasional rainstorms may bring wildflowers.
Visitors can explore colorful badlands, sand dunes, canyons, and otherworldly landscapes. The park also features well-preserved archaeological sites, petroglyphs, ghost towns, and historic mining operations.
Additionally, Death Valley is home to rare and endemic wildlife, including tiny fish that inhabit lush oases, and natural wonders like the Racetrack, a dry lake bed where boulders appear to slide across the desert.
11. Grand Canyon West
Distance from Las Vegas: 125 miles
Grand Canyon West is a tribal enterprise located on the Hualapai Reservation in Arizona, offering a range of activities and attractions that provide cultural insights and adventurous experiences.
One of the main highlights is the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass cantilever bridge that extends 70 feet over the canyon's edge, offering breathtaking views.
Visitors can also enjoy thrilling whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, helicopter tours that descend 3,500 feet into the canyon, and a zipline experience at Hualapai Point, soaring 500 feet above the canyon floor.
The Hualapai Ranch features cowboy demonstrations and wagon rides, allowing guests to learn about the Hualapai Tribe's culture and history.
Additionally, Eagle Point and Guano Point provide scenic views and opportunities to explore tribal traditions, while live performances and exhibits bring the rich heritage of the Hualapai Tribe to life.
12. Zion National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 152 miles
Zion National Park spans 232 square miles and features stunning landscapes, including the 15-mile-long Zion Canyon, which reaches depths of almost 3,000 feet.
Visitors can engage in various activities, such as hiking, biking, driving, camping, backpacking, and climbing, with trails available for all skill levels, including kid-friendly options.
Notable hikes include Angels Landing, a challenging 5-mile round trip with a steep 1,500-foot elevation gain, and the scenic Canyon Overlook Trail, perfect for photo opportunities.
The park's dark skies and absence of city lights make it an ideal spot for stargazing, while winter visitors enjoy moderate temperatures and over 300 days of sunshine each year.
13. Lake Havasu
Distance from Las Vegas: 153 miles
Lake Havasu, formed by the damming of the Colorado River, is a popular tourist destination known for its warm climate, outdoor activities, and unique attractions.
With over 400 miles of coastline, visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, skiing, and house boating. The lake is renowned for its bass fishing, ranking among the top 100 bass fishing lakes in the United States.
Surrounded by mountains and desert landscapes, the area offers numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, golfing in public golf courses, tennis, and horseback riding.
Lake Havasu City is home to the famous London Bridge, which was relocated from the Thames River, and the Topock Maze, a 600-year-old geoglyph created by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe.
14. Joshua Tree National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 218 miles
Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert in southern California is a vast desert wilderness spanning nearly 800,000 acres, making it a popular destination for outdoor adventurers, eco-travelers, and naturalists.
Known for its iconic rock formations, distinctive Joshua trees, and diverse plant and animal life, the park offers stunning desert vistas and clear night skies perfect for stargazing.
Notable rock formations include Arch Rock, Skull Rock, Penguin Rock, Heart Rock, and Cap Rock. Visitors can enjoy numerous trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with options suitable for all ages.
Wildlife enthusiasts can spot desert bighorn sheep, black-tailed jackrabbits, coyotes, and kangaroo rats among the park's rich biodiversity.
15. Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 259 miles
Bryce Canyon National Park is renowned for its unique landscape, setting it apart from other national parks in the United States.
The park's famous crimson-red hoodoos, bizarre rock formations, and vast network of interconnected hiking trails make it a must-visit destination.
It is one of the most photographed national parks due to the vibrant colors that appear at sunrise and sunset, ranging from deep red to bright orange and soft white.
Visitors can enjoy various activities, including hiking, camping, ranger-led programs, the Prairie Dog Festival, and birdwatching.
The park features four main viewpoints within the first few miles: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point, with prime viewing times around sunrise and sunset.
A free shuttle runs regularly from 8 am to 6 pm, and 8 pm in the summer, transporting visitors to key areas, viewpoints, and trailheads every 15 minutes.
16. Palm Springs
Distance from Las Vegas: 262 miles
Palm Springs, California, a desert oasis in the Coachella Valley, offers a relaxed pace of life, natural hot springs, and year-round entertainment.
The city hosts major events such as the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, the BNP Paribas Open tennis matches, and Fashion Week El Paseo.
Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities, including riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for stunning aerial views, hot air balloon rides, spa treatments, hiking trails, golfing, and exploring the city's beautiful architecture, which ranges from art deco to midcentury modern.
17. Anaheim
Distance from Las Vegas: 264 miles
Anaheim, California, is home to Disneyland Park, the world's first Disney park, and Disney's California Adventure Park.
Nearby, visitors can also enjoy Knott's Berry Farm and its water park. However, Anaheim's appeal extends beyond theme parks, featuring attractions such as Angel Stadium and headliner acts at the Honda Center.
Furthermore, the city boasts a revitalized downtown and vibrant nightlife, making it a vacation haven for everyone.
18. Los Angeles
Distance from Las Vegas: 270 miles
Los Angeles, a cultural hub, is renowned for its numerous museums, such as the Getty, the Broad, and LACMA, as well as its theaters, architecturally significant buildings, and beautiful gardens.
Known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, Los Angeles is home to leading movie studios like Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures, and boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.
The city features many beaches, including Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, and South Bay Beaches, alongside hiking trails, cycling routes, and Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, an eco-preserve for tide-pool creatures.
Additionally, Los Angeles offers diverse shopping districts like the LA Fashion District, The Grove, Hollywood, and Third Street Promenade, and visitors can explore Beverly Hills with its high-end shops and extravagant houses.
19. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Distance from Las Vegas: 278 miles
Antelope Canyon, near Page, Arizona, is a stunning slot canyon carved from red sandstone by wind and seasonal flood rains over thousands of years.
The canyon's sloping rock angles and shifting light create a surreal scene, attracting photographers from around the world.
About 9 miles down the road is Horseshoe Bend, a popular tourist destination known for its striking views.
The viewpoint places visitors atop a 1,000-foot cliff overlooking a famous bend in the Colorado River.
20. Sedona
Distance from Las Vegas: 279 miles
Sedona, Arizona, is a renowned destination celebrated for its natural beauty, hiking trails, and stargazing opportunities.
Known for its striking red rock formations and sandstone buttes set against blue skies, Sedona offers well-maintained trails through forests, canyons, and mountains, with popular routes including Devil's Bridge Trail and Broken Arrow Trail.
The area also includes cultural landmarks, including ancient ruins and architectural treasures like the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Additionally, many believe Sedona is a vortex where the earth emits energy promoting healing, meditation, and self-exploration.
Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon are all considered vortex sites, with Cathedral Rock said to possess the strongest energy.
21. Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
Distance from Las Vegas: 290 miles
The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is a vast canyon in northwestern Arizona carved by the Colorado River over millions of years through erosion, wind, and rain.
The Grand Canyon South Rim, the most popular area of the park, is often considered the authentic Grand Canyon experience.
It offers nearly two dozen unique views of the canyon and the Colorado River, including Yaki Point, ideal for sunrise photos, and Desert View Watchtower, which provides a 360-degree panoramic view.
The South Rim features a bustling town with a grocery store, restaurants, lodges, a train station, trails, a bus system, and campsites, requiring a week or more to explore fully.
Happy Exploring!
From the breathtaking majesty of the Grand Canyon to the tranquil charm of Lake Las Vegas, the surrounding areas of Las Vegas are filled with remarkable destinations waiting to be explored.
These spots provide an ideal escape from Sin City, offering opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and everything in between. So, whether you are visiting Las Vegas or are a local, seize the chance to discover these incredible places.
Whether you go on a short drive, a day trip, or a weekend getaway, these locations promise unforgettable experiences and a greater appreciation for the region's natural and cultural wonders.
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