Las Vegas Day Trips  – Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and More

Las Vegas day trips give you the opportunity to visit the beautiful national parks, famous landmarks, and other popular destinations around Las Vegas. 

You might even fit in an overnight camping trip.  Take a tour to enjoy the amazing Grand Canyon or famous Hoover Dam.

Plan a day trip to explore the breathtaking national parks, landmarks, and other must see destinations that are a short distance from the city of Las Vegas.


Visit Grand Canyon National Park

Visit Grand Canyon National Park and experience one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world!

A tour is the best choice for experiencing the spectacular views of the Grand Canyon National Park.

When planning your trip, keep in mind there are four areas to visit.

The South Rim is open year-round and ideal for first time visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park; especially if you are traveling with children.

The North Rim is open seasonally from May 15th to October 15th. Mule Rides are available to Supai Tunnel and to Uncle Jimmy Owens point.

The Grand Canyon East, is also known as “Desert View”, is a part of the South Rim. There is a separate entrance and visitor area that contains a campground, picnic area, restrooms, parking lot, restaurant, gas station, Trading Post, Market Place, and Visitor Center.

The Grand Canyon West is a popular destination for tours from Las Vegas. The West Rim is much closer (118 miles from Las Vegas) versus the South Rim (approximately 350 miles).


Visit Hoover Dam: Easy Las Vegas Day Trip

Visit Hoover Dam and experience a man-made wonder that you will not want to miss. It is located in Boulder City, on the Nevada-Arizona border, and is a short 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, making it an easy Las Vegas day trip to include when planning your vacation. Travel options to Hoover Dam include bus, helicopter, luxury SUVs, and more!

Along with taking a tour and learning remarkable facts about the construction of the Hoover Dam, you can take advantage of the fun activities available: biking, rafting, boating, or even water skiing.


Visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 

Visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - located within the Mohave Desert and only 17 miles west of the Strip, making it the ideal choice for a short Las Vegas day trip adventure. 

The beautiful rock formations that are a part of Red Rock Canyon are comprised of Aztec Sandstone. These sand dunes formed in the desert that covered a large part of the southwestern United States during the Jurassic time period.

There is plenty to do and see during your visit. Take a tour along the 13-mile scenic drive, explore the hiking trails, or enjoy the activities that are available: horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, and rock climbing.

There are two attractions located within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Bonnie Springs Ranch and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Both ranches are worth the visit if you have the time to fit them into your vacation.


Visit Valley of Fire State Park

Visit Valley of Fire State Park and experience the brilliant red sandstone formations throughout the park that appear to be on fire when reflecting sunlight. The park is located 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The close proximity makes this state park another easy Las Vegas day trip to add on to your vacation.

Known for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire State Park contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years.


Visit Death Valley National Park 

Visit Death Valley National Park (about 2 ½ hours from Las Vegas), a land of extremes. Death Valley is North America’s hottest, driest, and lowest (282 feet below sea level) National Park in the United States. Record temperatures reach 134°F, and the annual rainfall is less than two inches.

Although the park is open year-round, you will avoid the higher temperatures by visiting the park during the cooler months – October through April.


Visit Lake Mead National Recreational Area

Visit Lake Mead (located about 30 miles from the Las Vegas), one of the most diverse national recreational areas in America, and enjoy boating, hiking, cycling, camping, fishing, and more!

With beautiful landscapes and brilliant blue waters, this year-round playground covers 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast lakes. View the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, or find solitude in one of the park's nine wilderness areas.