Back To Nature – Las Vegas Hikes, Sights, and Outdoor Adventures

Las Vegas may be better known for casinos, five-star resorts, and world-class entertainment, but Las Vegas is also home to a handful of truly breathtaking natural wonders. While it may be tempting to skip the natural sights for a day of drinking by the pool, we guarantee you will not regret visiting any of the locations or tours listed below.

The following list is recommended for any time of the year, so grab a hat, water, hiking boots, and a camera for an adventure outdoors that will make memories to last a lifetime.

Clark County Wetlands Park

Clark County Wetlands Park & Nature Center is the largest park in the Clark County Park system. It's a 210-acre Nature Preserve with three distinct habitats and miles of trails. This is a great park to visit for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It's a unique area with paved and unpaved trails that travel for miles through cottonwood groves and mesquite bosques.  Near wetlands park is the nature center which features displays, dioramas, artwork, and activities that bring the history of the habitats and wildlife to life. The Nature Center includes a picnic area, auditorium, and meeting room. 

Learn More about Clark County Wetlands Park & Nature Center

Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Located in Southern Nevada, a short drive from Las Vegas is 1.6 million acres of land. According to the National Wildlife Refugee system, this amount of land "can cover Rhode Island twice and still have enough room left over for a quarter of a million football fields.". Three hundred twenty bird species live here, along with collared lizards and mountain lions. Alamo Road is a great place to check out as it is a 70-mile rugged road with many stops along the way. Another great place to visit is Corn Creek which is a great starting point for Desert NWR. 

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Mount Charleston

One of Nevada's most beautiful outdoor adventures is in Mount Charleston, a short 40-mile drive. This takes approximately 45-minutes depending on traffic, weather, and other factors. A great trail to visit is Cathedral Rock which includes waterfalls and a 2.7-mile hike. Another great hike is Mary Jane Falls, where water from two different springs flows down the cliffs. Unlike the Cathedral Rock hike, this one is 2.5 miles there and back. The snow season is a popular season to visit for winter sports. 

Red Rock Canyon

This beautiful National Conservation Area is located just west of Las Vegas. It's a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip, which is excellent for visitors to stop by during their vacation. The visitor center is a great place to check out before heading out for a scenic drive or walking many of the available hikes and trails. If hikes are not of interest, the 13-mile scenic drive is a perfect way to get in the beautiful views of Red Rock. There are plenty of stops along the way for pictures or picnics. 

Learn More about Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Valley Of Fire

A world-renowned state park composed of 40,000 acres of bright red sandstone. Tourists worldwide travel to the Valley of Fire for their numerous camp sights, hiking trails, and RV sites. Get ready to experience a lot of history within the Valley of Fire from petroglyphs left by Native Americans that once inhabited the area. A Park admissions fee to Valley Of Fire is $10 per vehicle per day. Check out the State Park website for other fees.

Learn More About Valley Of Fire State Park

Spring Mountain Ranch

Adjacent to Red Rock Canyon is Spring Mountain Ranch, home to hiking trails, picnic sites, and a summer outdoor theatre. It is a 30-minute ride from downtown Las Vegas and is surrounded by 316,000 acres of beautiful land. This is a quieter state park than Red Rock due to the smaller crowds, which is excellent for a more peaceful day out. The large amphitheater area can hold up to 200 people, which is perfect for special events. 

Learn More About Spring Mountain Ranch

Great outdoor tours available:

Cowboy Trail Rides - To feel like the ultimate cowboy, book a guided tour on a horse through the beautiful canyons. There are three different offers with various prices and lengths of the ride. The two-hour ride is $139 and perfect for ages 7 and up. This ride goes through ancient caves and shows the Red Rock National Conservation area's views and geological formation. 

Adventure Photo Tours - Recognized as one of the finest tour companies in the Southwest, Adventure Photo Tours takes tourists out to beautiful places. There are many tours available, but one famous tour is the Grand Canyon National Park tour. This three-hour tour through the Grand Canyon is the ultimate spot to get picturesque views. What's unique about this tour is that there is an option to walk the rim trail, known as one of the most beautiful walks in the Grand Canyon. 

Mountain Skills Rock Guides - This is a fun adventure for rock climbing lovers. Professional guides take groups or small parties through the Red Rock National Conservation Area to different climbing areas. Rock climbing varies from small cliffs to thousand-foot multi-pitch outings. This is an experience that will leave memories to last a lifetime. 

Vegas Balloon Rides - This is the ultimate outdoor tour that had to be saved best for last. Fly high in the sky on one of these early morning balloon rides for the most incredible views of the city of Las Vegas. It is a 45-60 minute ride with 16 passengers in each balloon. Although, allow for about six hours from the time of arrival to departure. All rides include champagne or sparkling cider to toast, along with light refreshments. This is one of the best ways to get in a Las Vegas adventure while being removed from the hustle and bustle of the strip. Balloons fly as high as 10,000 feet and offer panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding city. Flights can quickly be scheduled through the Vegas Balloon Ride website.