Unforgettable Road Trips from Las Vegas: Exploring the Great American Southwest
Visiting Las Vegas is a whole adventure and experience on its own in visiting all the wild, whacky and over the top venues around the city with each new casino trying to outdo all the others around the city. But, once you tire of all the neon lights, cocktail bars and buffet lines and long for some nature and natural environments, you’ll be surprised that there’s so much history, culture and stunning scenery to find just outside of the city. There are so many fantastic road trips from Las Vegas that should be on your bucket list of places to visit just outside of this man-made metropolis.
Let these fellow travel writers and bloggers show you some of the best places to explore, wander and enjoy the amazing landscape, historical sites and some fun adventure experiences just a short ride from Las Vegas. Hopefully this will inspire you to allocate some time to see some gorgeous natural landscape or even man-made attraction that is an easy road trip away from the city.
Weather and best time to do a road trip from Las Vegas
The weather and the best time to embark on a road trip from Las Vegas depend on the specific destination and personal preferences. Here are some general guidelines:
Summer Road Trips (June to August): If you plan to explore destinations with higher elevations, such as national parks like Bryce Canyon or Zion, summer can be an excellent time. However, be prepared for hot temperatures in the desert areas. It’s advisable to start your outdoor activities early in the morning and carry plenty of water and sun protection.
Spring and Fall Road Trips (March to May, September to November): These seasons offer milder temperatures and more comfortable weather conditions for road trips. The desert heat is not as intense, making it a great time to explore nearby destinations like Death Valley National Park or the Grand Canyon. Keep in mind that spring months can bring occasional rain showers, while fall offers pleasant and dry conditions.
Winter Road Trips (December to February): Winter in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas is relatively mild, making it a suitable time for road trips. However, higher elevations and mountainous areas may experience snowfall and colder temperatures. Check road conditions and be prepared for possible winter weather if you plan to visit destinations like the Sierra Nevada mountains or the ski resorts of Utah.
It’s important to note that weather conditions can vary, and it’s always wise to check the specific forecast for your chosen destinations before setting out on a road trip. Additionally, consider factors such as crowd levels, availability of accommodations, and any special events or attractions that may influence your decision on the best time to embark on your adventure from Las Vegas.
Ultimate road trip and day trips to enjoy from Las Vegas
Start an Unforgettable Road Trip from Las Vegas: Exploring the Wonders of the Southwest
Road trip to Zion National Park
One of the most popular road trips to take from Las Viegas is to explore Zion National Park in Utah. Less that a 160 miles or about two and a half hours on I-15 North gets you to the southern entrance of the park and makes an easy day trip. But, you may want to do an overnight stay close by to explore the park in more detail and visit some of the beautiful monuments and attractions in the park or hike some of the most iconic trails in the park system.
There is a shuttle service that goes through the valley floor that you have to take from the visitor’s center that stops at most of the main attractions around the park valley area and from these areas you can explore the hikes and viewpoints on your own. You can take some easy and short hikes to the most beautiful spots in the park or more challenging routes like Angel’s camp or the Emerald pools for stunning vista points to visit around the park.
Campling is feasible around the park or even the main lodge of Zion, but the closest place to stay is located at Springdale just outside of the park. Check out these hotel listings to stay at different price points but located close to the park for you to visit early or even late around the various sites of the park area.
Noel with Visit California and Beyond
An easy road trip to The Valley of Fire State Park
It’s easy to take a road trip to the Valley of Fire State Park, an easy drive to this magical landscape and stunning natural scenes.
The Valley of Fire State Park may be one of the most popular day trips from Las Vegas, but for good reason. At just under 1 hour from the neon lights, you’ll be transported to a different planet. Okay, maybe not literally, but it will look as though.
Las Vegas road trip guide – visiting Antelope Canyon
Road trip visiting Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a beautiful slot canyon carved out by millions of years of water erosion. And it is one of the most beautiful places in the American Southwest.
If you’re looking for an easy day trip from Las Vegas, Antelope Canyon is a great choice!
A four-and-a-half-hour drive from Las Vegas, you’ll take I-15 N up into Utah and then cut back down just south of the border via US-89 into Arizona, where you’ll find Antelope Canyon. The 276-mile journey will be well worth it.
The highlight of Antelope Canyon is the sandstone which is full of beautiful lines and colors. Combine that with towering walls and light beams coming in from above. It is a magical place and one of the most amazing natural wonders.
Keep in mind, Antelope Canyon is on private Navajo land, and there are no self-guided tours. You cannot go to Antelope Canyon without a tour, so plan ahead. If you’re wanting to explore the canyon, you must book a tour with a licensed tour guide.
There are three different parts of the canyon you can tour: Upper, Lower, and Canyon X. Your Antelope Canyon tour will only cover one area of the canyon, so if you’d like to see different parts of the canyon, you will need to book multiple tours.
Enjoy your adventure from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon!
Candice with CS Ginger
Road trip to Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam stands tall at 726 feet above the Colorado River, creating an awe-inspiring view that will take your breath away. From its massive size to its intricate construction, you’ll be amazed by how much effort went into this dam. It took five years for workers to construct it—five years in which they faced harsh working conditions during one of the worst times in American history.
With so many unique shops located near the dam, there’s something for everyone! From souvenirs to handmade crafts and jewelry, there are boundless shopping possibilities here. You could even buy yourself a piece of history with one of their collectible coins or stamps featuring images of the dam!
Explore Kanab, Utah
Seven Magic Mountains
Located just 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip is a beautiful desert art installation that makes for the most incredible photo backdrop. These are the Seven Magic Mountains created by Ugo Rondinone.
They are free to visit at make for a great getaway from the hustle of the city if you need a break from your Las Vegas itinerary. Seven Magic Mountains are a collection of stacks of giant boulders towering over 30 feet high and painted bright, neon colors.
To get there, travel south on I-15 South to Exit 25 for Sloan Road, then turn left on Sloan Rd and right on Las Vegas Blvd until you run into it. Parking is free but on a dirt lot so don’t drive your expensive car.
There are also port-a-potties and a snack cart on site. To get up close to the installation, you’ll be walking a short unpaved path up to the boulders. Unfortunately, this means Seven Magic Mountains is not friendly for strollers and wheelchairs.
The best thing to do there aside from read about the artist’s vision, is to take photos from lots of angles and with boulders of varying colors! One tip for visiting is that it can get really windy in the middle of the desert so protect your eyes and camera lenses.
Seven Magic Mountains is open 24 hours a day and will be open through at least 2027 (although they keep pushing the end date farther and farther into the future).
By Alanna from Periodic Adventures
Best road trips from Las Vegas – day trip to Death Valley
Road trip to Death Valley
Nelson Ghost town
Nelson Ghost Town is an easy day trip from Las Vegas. It is less than an hour’s drive to the notorious Eldorado Canyon, the lawless town that existed way before the bright lights of Las Vegas. It is now a very unique ghost town that caters to tourists looking for something a little different than the Las Vegas casinos. It is definitely on the list of cheap things to do in Las Vegas, since it only requires a small donation to tour the grounds.
Nelson Ghost Town is authentic Nevada history that features an abandoned mine as well as a large salute to classic Americana that is full of rusty nostalgia, dilapidated buildings from the gold rush era, and vintage cars, never to move again.
The abandoned town itself is very picturesque and full of scenery and that looks like it came out of a black and white western movie. In fact, it has become a popular Hollywood set where they have filmed some movies and tv shows. It is also popular for weddings and engagement photoshoots because the photographic memories are truly unique. Who else will have wedding photos with a backdrop similar to the outlaws in the Wild West?
Techatticup Mine was a booming mine that was infiltrated in 1861 with prospectors and desperados looking to strike it rich. It remained active until the 1940s, producing many bags of precious metals for those that survived the rough and rowdy bunch of inhabitants. It requires a reservation and admission for a tour of the mine,but is full of the rich and colorful history of the mining era.
Explore Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California, just over a three hour drive from Las Vegas, Nevada.
The main attraction at Joshua Tree National Park are the Joshua Trees, which can be found all throughout the park. If you have not seen this type of tree before, it looks like a cross between a palm tree and a cactus. However, it actually belongs to the Yucca family.
You can also spend plenty of time hiking trails in the park. Two of the most popular trails are Arch Rock and Hall of Horrors. First, Arch Rock Trail is approximately 1.4 miles round trip with 90 feet in elevation gain and will take around 30 minutes to complete. The trail leads to a natural arch. Second, Hall of Horrors Trail is approximately 0.6 miles round trip with 25 feet in elevation gain and will take around 15 minutes to complete. The trail offers a variety of scrambling opportunities as well as the ability to shimmy through two slot canyons.
Additionally, you can visit the attraction of Skull Rock without having to hike at all, for it is right along the roadside. It is exactly what it sounds like – a rock in the shape of a skull that even has two depressions in the rock that look like eyes.
Visit the Red Rock Canyon
A place to visit from Las Vegas that will offer you a completely different atmosphere from all the glitz and flare of The Strip is Red Rock Canyon. In this National Conservation Area, visitors are treated to beautiful views of the desert landscape and towering rock formations. Plus, there are a host of activities to discover the area.
For example, hiking is a great way to explore Red Rock Canyon. There are 20+ trails that range from beginner to expert level, so no matter your skill set, you can find something enjoyable.
But, if you’d rather stick to the roadside, consider biking through the scenic canyon. You’ll be able to travel at your own pace, cover more ground than walking, and get in some exercise! And, the roads are large enough that you can easily stop along the way to take photos or opt for a break to admire the stunning backdrop.
For those wanting to challenge themselves, rock climbing is another option. The area offers hundreds of different climbing routes that even beginner climbers can enjoy climbing the red rocks!
So if you’re looking to get away from mainstream Vegas and enter the rugged side of the desert region, consider visiting Red Rock Canyon.
Explore Beatty and a mining town
Beatty, NV, is an off the beaten path location and the perfect way to spend a day trip from Las Vegas. Beatty is most often referred to as the “Gateway to Death Valley.” Located only 7 miles from the entrance of Death Valley, Beatty is a common destination to stay when visiting the iconic national park. However, the small town offers many other unique local attractions as well.
One of the best things you can do on your day trip to Beatty is to visit the famous ghost town, Rhyolite Ghost Town. In 1904, it was once a booming mining town but was left vacant after the gold declined. Over a century later, you can explore the remnants of what is left of the deserted mining town.
Next to Rhyolite, take a stroll and discover an outdoor sculpture museum, The Goldwell Open Air Museum. The museum is free to visit and sits on 7.8 acres of open desert. It features several works of art, including a ghost rendition of The Last Supper and Lady Desert – The Venus of Nevada, a 25-foot tall LEGO-like woman.
Lastly, when visiting Beatty, don’t forget to grab some road trip snacks at the Death Valley Nut & Candy. It is the largest candy store in Nevada. As you can imagine, it has every type of candy you could want and more. There are aisles and aisles filled with chocolate, gummies, taffy, and nuts for you to choose from.
Beatty is a great destination to visit if you are looking for a unique and interesting day trip from Las Vegas.
road trip from Las Vegas – shopping the Premium Mall
Premium Mall shopping at Las Vegas
road trips from Vegas – at the North Rim
Road trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
The North Rim is far more rugged and remote than the Grand Canyon South Rim and as it sits at a much higher elevation the views are completely different. Plus it is a lot cooler – perfect to escape those hot summer days! Some of the best viewpoints include Point Imperial, Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal and Dragon Corridor.
If you plan to visit on a day trip from Las Vegas why not make the journey memorable, save time and go there on a helicopter. You can do a ground and air tour of the North Rim from Las Vegas, enabling you to see the canyon from a birds eye view. A 4×4 tour on ground through Lake Mead Conservation Area and Whitmore Canyon to get to the North Rim is also great as you can explore limited access areas of The Grand Canyon!
Do note that the North Rim is closed for half of the year due to snow, so it is only open from May 15th until October 15th!
More inside tips to doing a road trip from Las Vegas
Here are some inside tips to help you make the most of your road trip from Las Vegas:
Plan your itinerary: Research and plan your route in advance to make the most of your time on the road. Identify the attractions, landmarks, and scenic spots you want to visit, and allocate sufficient time for each. Consider the driving distances and factor in breaks for rest and meals.
Start early: To avoid traffic and make the most of daylight hours, start your day early. This allows you to cover more ground and enjoy popular destinations with fewer crowds. Plus, witnessing a sunrise in the desert or at a scenic overlook can be a breathtaking experience.
Pack essentials: Prepare a road trip essentials kit, including water, snacks, a first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a roadside emergency kit. Additionally, bring a map or have a reliable GPS system to navigate areas with limited cell reception.
Stay hydrated: The desert climate can be dehydrating, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water during your road trip. Keep a refillable water bottle handy and take regular hydration breaks, especially if you plan to explore outdoor destinations or engage in physical activities.
Check road conditions: Before setting off, check the road conditions and any closures or detours along your route. This information is particularly important if you’re planning to visit mountainous areas or national parks. Websites and mobile apps dedicated to road and travel updates can be valuable resources.
Capture the scenery: The Southwest region is known for its stunning landscapes, so don’t forget your camera or smartphone to capture the awe-inspiring sights along the way. Take advantage of scenic overlooks and viewpoints for memorable photos.
Embrace the local culture: Each destination along your road trip route will have its own unique character and local culture. Engage with locals, try regional cuisines, and visit local attractions or events to get a true taste of the area’s vibe.
Be flexible and spontaneous: While planning is important, leave room for flexibility and spontaneity. Unexpected discoveries and detours can lead to memorable experiences. Allow yourself the freedom to make impromptu stops and explore hidden gems you encounter along the way.
Remember to drive safely, obey traffic laws, and respect the environment. With these inside tips, you’re well-equipped to embark on an unforgettable road trip adventure from Las Vegas. Enjoy the journey and create lasting memories!
Check out these other places to visit from Las Vegas
Grand Canyon Tours from Las Vegas
Zion National Park from Las Vegas
Valley of Fire State road trip
Conclusion on Road trips from Las Vegas
Doing a road trip from Las Vegas opens up a world of adventure and discovery. With careful planning, essential preparations, and a flexible mindset, you can make the most of your journey through the stunning landscapes of the Southwest.
From the breathtaking national parks to the quirky roadside attractions, the road trip experience allows you to immerse yourself in the diverse beauty and local cultures of the region. Embrace the freedom of the open road, capture the awe-inspiring scenery, and create unforgettable memories along the way.
Thanks for checking out this post on Road trips from Las Vegas, it really should be on your list of worthwhile places to around the state and adventure filled with inspiring places to tour.
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Which of these destinations have access by public transit so that you can visit them without making pollution or global warning a lot worse? It is suggested that this information be included in all these interesting places that are listed here, There are many bus companies in the area and information about which go to some of these places would be quite helpful.
There’s probably public transport to some of the easier places that are closer to Las Vegas like Red Rock, the others probably require a car rental or you can sign up for a tour.