Hiking Las Vegas – Exploring Nevada’s Stunning Hiking Landscapes

Have you ever wondered how beautiful the sunsets are on a hike outside of the city limits of Las Vegas, Nevada?

Whether you’re an avid walker or just love the great outdoors, join us as we take you on a tour of the breathtaking natural state parks and conservation areas that can be found during a stay in the City of Lights.

An Oasis of Blue in the Desert at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

First up on our journey to explore Las Vegas’ natural hidden gems, we head 30 minutes southeast of the city to the tranquil Lake Mead, which happens to be the largest human-made reservoir in the United States. Fed by snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains, when fully stocked, it measures in at over 246 square miles and supplies drinking water to nearly 20 million people.

Naturally framed by its dramatic canyon views and surrounded by its striking desert landscapes in the distance, it also boasts a range of hiking trails to suit ramblers of all ages. From the easy to moderate trails of the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail and Lake View Trail through to the more challenging Goldstrike Canyon Trail with its views of the Colorado River and Hoover Dam.

Outside of hiking throughout the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, other great activities include scuba diving on the amazing wreck of the historic Lake Mead B-29, which crashed in 1948 and now sits on the lakebed. Alternatively, for fans of architectural marvels, you can extend your hike from the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail to cross the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge to see the Hoover Dam in all its glory.

150 Million Years of History in Valley of Fire State Park

We next head about an hour’s drive northeast of Las Vegas to the almighty Valley of Fire State Park, which happens to be Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, which formed over 150 million years ago by the region’s ever-shifting sand dunes. At 36,000 acres, the national park has a bounty of incredible hiking trails that encourage visitors to investigate its bizarre red Aztec sandstone rock formations along the way.

Here, family-friendly trails such as Elephant Rock Loop Trail are perfect for a great day out if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas itself. For avid walkers and hikers, the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway is ideal for strolling around the spectacular scenery of Valley of Fire State Park, while the Top of The World Arch Trail is best for those who enjoy a challenging hike.

Key features to look for when visiting Nevada’s oldest state park are the distinct rock features, including the Beehives, Seven Sisters, and Elephant Rock. Additionally, be sure to check out the outstanding petrified trees, which are logs and stumps frozen in time that date back millions of years.

Visit the Joshua Tree Forests of Mojave National Preserve

Next up, we suggest heading for a hiking session to discover the astonishing Mojave National Preserve, about 1.5 hours southwest of Las Vegas. Home to the world’s largest Joshua tree forest, its rare and exceptional geographical features are an idyllic setting to wander around on its countless hiking trails.

If you and your family and friends enjoy an easy hike to explore the region’s flora and fauna, then we highly recommend sightseeing along the Rock Spring Loop Trail. For more adventurous hikers, the Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail adds a different level of excitement as you maneuver around the volcanic rock formations. However, another truly magnificent option is the Kelso Dunes Trail, but it is slightly harder due to the route’s softer sand underfoot.

Of the diverse attractions you can find around Mojave National Preserve, we recommend you seek out the impressive volcanic cinder cones and lava flows that are up to 7 million years old. In addition to these, make sure you also take a tour of the Mitchell Caverns before heading out to the Cima Dome and the surrounding Joshua tree forests.

Panoramic Views Across the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Our final must-see outdoor hiking destination has to be the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, situated just 20 minutes west of Las Vegas. Due to its close proximity to the city, the area is popular with residents and visitors to Vegas as it offers a range of activities, including cross-country biking, rock climbing, and scenic drives.

For the hikers among you, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has a choice of hiking trails to choose from, starting with the child and dog-friendly Pine Creek Canyon, Knoll, and Fire Ecology Loop. If you fancy stepping up the difficulty level slightly, the moderate hike of the Calico Tanks Trail is superb to witness its natural water tanks with city views over Las Vegas at the end. Otherwise, for the true thrill seekers out there, head to Turtlehead Peak Trail for its all-encompassing 360-degree views from the summit.

A defining attraction when visiting Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has to be discovering the astonishing array of dinosaur tracks found throughout the area. Furthermore, another family-friendly feature to keep an eye out for is the Native American rock art located across the conservation area, which includes sculpted petroglyphs and hand-painted pictographs.

There’s More To Las Vegas Than Meets the Eye

Whether you’re looking for an unbelievable outdoor-inspired family vacation or seeking an action-packed getaway with your friends, the surrounding natural reserves that encircle Las Vegas make for an alluring alternative to life in the city.

From sunrise to sunset, hiking around the exquisite landscapes is truly inspiring, and to cap off the picture-perfect Nevada escape, be sure to get a sound night’s sleep at any one of the 17 Best Western® Hotels & Resorts in Nevada.