7 Best Outdoor Adventures Near Las Vegas
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Las Vegas is a charming desert city with wondrous marvels of nature to discover over various explorations. These best must-do things for outdoor lovers visiting Las Vegas offer a real scenic breather away from the Strip.
Hiking Through The Valley Of Fire
The hike through the Valley of Fire is often compared to trekking the classic southwestern desert scene straight out of a Hollywood old western. The destination for all adventurers and sight-seekers spreads just an hour northeast of the Strip. It is part of the renowned state park with scattered rock formations, including White Domes, Elephant Rock, the Mouse's Tank, and the most-famous Arch Rock.
The Fire Wave Trail is a must-hike for the picturesque denouement of rock folding into a red, orange, and yellow kaleidoscopic marvel. One must also hunt for the ancient, 2,000-year-old Native American petroglyphs inscribed on some of the rocks and organize an au natural photo shoot within the grand natural spectacle of changing shadows by the sun's play.
Climbing Mount Charleston
The range just west of Las Vegas is dominated by Mt. Charleston, which overlooks Kyle Canyon from its great stance. The outdoor paradise only 50 minutes from the Strip comprises ponderosa pine, bristlecone, and aspen trees for a real-natural aromatherapy session. It is a beloved hiker's and mountain biker's destination in the country with countless meandering trails.
The intriguing Mary Jane Falls trail ascends 1,000 feet over its two-mile-short span with the most rewarding views from the top over great distances. The falls only appear in springtime or after hard rain, but the hike is wonderful anytime for all skill levels. The forested Raintree Trail comes with the huge 3,000-year-old bristlecone pine tree to take a rest and pictures, while the Cathedral Rock offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains that make one feel a whole world away. The skiers greatly enjoy the slopes of Mt. Charleston during winter and skiing and snowboarding at the Lee Canyon.
Colorado River Kayaking
The Colorado River carves through the Grand Canyon, spilling over the Hoover Dam just 40 minutes from the Strip, but it feels a whole world away. The wonderful kayaking trip up the Colorado River is known for Hoover Dam views and wildlife spotting along the way. One must stop by the vibrantly-vert Emerald Cave for the extraordinary surroundings to relax or set up an atmospheric photo shoot. The Blazing Paddles offers an unforgettable experience with sights via glowing kayak rides during a spectacular full-moon evening tour.
While most people only see the dam from the top perspective, one can join a tour of the deep underground to the massive electricity generators. The Evolution Expeditions tours launching below the gigantic dam comprise paddling downstream through the river canyon, followed by hiking to the natural desert hot springs. Experienced paddlers can kayak on their own with DIY kayak rentals that are cheaper than tours.
Gold Strike Hot Springs
The destination hot springs is a well-known secret among locals. It comprises a beautiful trek to the Colorado River with a grand finale of the relaxing, natural "hot tub" experience. The trailhead set-off I93 is hidden just prior to reaching the Pat Tillman Bridge and taking a right at the stop-sign downhill to a dirt parking lot. The Gold Strike Canyon hot springs are a hike-worthy all-day adventure where white arrows guide one along the entire way.
The three to four-hour hike comes with an easy start over a dried-up lake bed. An elevation gain follows it via climbs and eight fixed ropes during ascent and descent over the house-sized boulders. One can also reach the hotpot via a kayak from the Black Canyon.
Biking Along Lake Mead
Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers a whole range of varied outdoor pastimes just east of Vegas. There's the 34-mile paved River Mountains Loop Trail from Lake Mead for scenic biking through the Hoover Dam, Henderson, and Boulder City. The finish at the heart of the Las Vegas Valley is a perfect place to relax, meditate, or do yoga in the serene surrounding natural landscape.
The popular Anniversary Narrows trail is one of the best around the lake for hiking from a wash to the twisted, narrow slot canyon. The hike is beginner-friendly and will reeve up the appetite for more slot-canyon hiking in the future.
The Historic Railroad Trail is another wonderful path for walking or biking that follows the last preserved section of the railroad that was used for Hoover Dam and artificial lake construction. The trail follows the lake's contour with endless scenic views that are only interrupted by five short railroad tunnels, with a finale at the dam for more photo ops. The Fortification Hill offers climbs up to over 1,400 feet overlooking the dam, the lake, the Strip, and Mt. Charleston. It is the last hidden gem trail around Vegas for the very active.
Red Rock Canyon Adventure
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the first of its kind in the state. It is only 15 miles (24 km) from Las Vegas or 30 minutes right off the Strip. The real paradise for adrenaline junkies features endless adventures, including climbs and hikes over 19 marked trails.
The hike to the Ice Box Canyon features a temperature drop of about 5 to 10 degrees colder than in-city for a shaded, cool respite with seasonal waterfalls on the way. There's also the most popular Calico Tanks Trail, with the rewarding finish of enchanting views over the Strip.
There is also the 13-mile scenic drive for gorgeous views from the window and the comfort of one's seat. The ride takes one through the beautiful, stark-red rock landscape, part of the Conservation Area that can be seen from the Las Vegas Strip. It is the prime destination for nature lovers and outdoor fanatics, comprising an array of trails, canyons, and rock formations. The canyon offers endless opportunities to discover, explore, and conquer via various ways, including horseback rides, hikes, biking, and even a scooter tour.
Zip-line At The Bootleg Canyon
The adventurer's paradise is located near Boulder City as a perfect base for endless fresh-air fun and activities. There's the amazing zip-line for the biggest thrills on locale and around of flying over the most scenic desert terrain.
The attraction is open daily with permitting weather from 7 am to 6 pm to take flights with reservations made in advance. One should come prepared in long pants to be strapped into the paragliding harness and wear hiking shoes for some trekking. The barren landscape below is traversed by excellent mountain biking trails that call for epic adventures grounded to the Earth.
These destinations give a perfect outlet to "stretch the bones" after all of the Casino-sits and grub along the Las Vegas Strip. The beautiful landscape around Sin City features everything from mountains to deserts, canyons, rivers, and forests for the most epic adventures of a lifetime.
