Best Outdoor and Family Activities Near Las Vegas

When you think of Las Vegas you probably picture famous hotels, glitzy shows and a whole lot of gambling (it’s called Sin City for a reason!) but beyond the bright lights of The Strip there’s plenty of natural beauty and wholesome activities to be enjoyed - with no luck needed 😊.

Given that Las Vegas is literally in the middle of the desert, it’s really easy to escape the madness and modernities of the city for a more rural backdrop. There are plenty of day tours, hikes and, of course, helicopter rides to choose from, so whether you’re traveling with friends, family or solo, you’ll have no trouble finding something to do outdoors.

Here’s a list of our favorite outdoor excursions to give you some inspo your next trip to Las Vegas. And, at the risk of sounding sensible - remember to pack plenty of water if you’re visiting during the summer months!

We’ll start with the obvious one. Located in neighboring Arizona (which is aptly The Grand Canyon State) Grand Canyon National Park is an unmissable landmark for any first-time Vegas visitors’ itinerary. 

Covering over 1.2 million acres, the Canyon’s layered bands of rock reveal millions of years of geologic history. Fun fact: it was the 15th site in the US to have been named a National Park, and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 2-2.5 hours

A little closer to the strip we have Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

The best thing about Red Rock - aside from the beautiful amber landscape and endless Joshua trees - is that it’s less than 30 minutes drive from Las Vegas Boulevard so there’s no need to plan a whole day around it. There are certainly some hikes that are long enough if you do want to spend the day there.  

Another great feature of this Red Rock Canyon is the one-way 13-mile scenic drive - a perfect option if you’re not up for a hike in the heat and want to feel like you’re on a true American road trip. There’s also a Visitor Center offering information about the landscape and history of the conservation area.

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 30 minutes 

The famous Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest area of the Western Hemisphere. In fact, in summer 2020, the highest temperature on earth was supposedly recorded there! 

Visit Death Valley and you'll be able to immerse yourself in the beautiful desolation of its terrain and get breathtaking views from famous photo stops like Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View. You can learn about the significance of the park as you visit historical landmarks including Artist’s Palette and the Devil’s Golf Course. 

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 1.5-2 hours

Zion National Park is a spectacular nature reserve located in Utah. The Park is known for an expansive canyon averaging 2,000 feet deep (!), as well as spectacular red rock arches, rivers and waterfalls.

If you’re feeling active - or just want to stretch your legs after the drive up - Zion offers plenty of hike routes for all energy levels. There’s also a “Canyon Scenic Drive” which cuts through the canyon, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. 

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 2.5-3 hours  

Like its neighbor, Zion, Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah, so you’ll want to plan at least a day trip to visit this one if you’re planning to visit from Vegas.  

We promise it’s worth it: The park’s hallmark crimson-colored “hoodoos” (rock formations) make for stunning photos and views that are totally worth the long drive. 

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: Around 4 hours 

Breaking up the list of natural beauty spots to bring you a more left-field suggestion for a day out… Area 51.

Area 51 is a highly classified United States Air Force facility located in Nevada. It’s also illegal to fly over Area 51 but luckily you can take a tour there (don’t forget to let us know what you find out).

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 1.5 hours  

[Activity Card]: Area 51 Day Tour from Las Vegas

If you’ve had enough of the desert dirt, why not swap it for sandy beaches? Known as “the Ft. Lauderdale of the desert” Lake Havasu is a popular day trip from Las Vegas, and for its year round “Spring Break” feeling. Bring your swimsuit and towel and cool off with a swim in the blue waters of this gorgeous freshwater lake.

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 2.5 hours  

If National Parks were celebrities, Antelope Canyon would be the most papped. You might recognize the smooth, waved rocks of this natural wonder as it welcomes an estimated 4 million visitors every year.

Located on Navajo land in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is a half-day drive from Las Vegas (one way) so you’ll need to take a full day to visit. We recommend booking a tour including transport so you can sit back and enjoy the views on the journey to  and from this world-famous landmark. 

Drive time from Las Vegas Strip: 4.5-5 hours  

Of course no trip to Vegas is complete without a helicopter tour. Whether you choose just to see Sin City from above or book a tour at one one of the nearby National Parks, you’ll get views to remember.

Book our best selling tour:

Or check out all Las Vegas Helicopter Tours on our website

That's it! Enjoy the views and don't forget to tag us @KlookTravel in your vacation snaps.

Once you’re done adventuring outdoors, check out more things to do in Las Vegas here.