Location: Las Vegas
Top Things to do in Las Vegas
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Things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada (NV): The Best Nature & Parks
Whether you’re a high roller or a low-key lounger, Las Vegas has something to suit your vacation taste. Sample fare from top chefs and cornucopian buffets, try your luck at one of the world’s premier casinos, or take in a spectacular show. Just wandering the Strip is enough to get your heart pumping. Once you’ve had enough of the razzle-dazzle, wave hello to the toothy sea life at the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef, hike Red Rock Canyon, or visit the Neon Museum, where old signs take on new life.
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1. Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 77 reviews
Relax in one of the many hot springs along the trail.
Reviewed By ljoland
We stopped by late in the day and started down the trail and it was like being on a movie set waiting for something creepy to happen. I'm sure there were Sand People from Star Wars watching us. Being smart, we realized that hiking an unknown trail with obvious obstacles late in the day wasn't smart, so we just did a partial hike. Our goal was to find hot springs, so we bravely came back EARLY the next day and were rewarded by being the only people on the trail for a while. Lots of really cool scrambles and rope climbs (I admit I was a little sore the next day) and we took the time to soak in a hot spring. There are several so pick your spring. We brought towels and the right things to wear in our packs. The end of the trail is a huge reward as you are right on the Colorado River with a beautiful view of the memorial bridge by Hoover Dam. Perfect place for a picnic (leave nothing but footprints!!!!). So we highly recommend this trail if you actually like to hike and climb and have common sense. It was a blast.
2. Cathedral Rock Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By annabS2927RN
This is a beautiful hike full of breathtaking views. Be sure to bring water and take lots of breaks along the way if you aren’t used to the elevation.
3. Exploration Peak Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By LostWagesinLasVegas - Las Vegas, United States
We went up to the pike and enjoyed a panoramic view of The Strip and surrounding areas. It’s pretty easy going up; no hiking shoes needed. There are different trails you can take going up and down. Once back down, we took a stroll around the park. There are a lot of different areas in the park. To close out our time there, we had a picnic on the green grass. Time well spent.
4. Calico Tanks Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By whenyourehere - Las Vegas, United States
I personally think this is a hard trail. I went here during the Winter and there was still ice on the rocks so it wasn't hard to slip and fall. Thankfully, no one in my party fell. It took two hours to make it to the end of the trail where you can see the Vegas strip in the distance and one hour to make it back. I recommend to bring some water with you, maybe even snacks if you are prone to hunger. I wore sneakers on this trail and that worked fine.
5. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,046 reviews
Visitors can admire colorful rock formations on several hiking trails or on a 13-mile scenic drive.
Reviewed By JerriAL1 - Johnston, United States
Spent half a day in this park in January when we wanted to get out of Vegas and do some hiking and exploring. The park fee for a vehicle day pass is $15 and well worth the time spent here. It was just over 60 degrees so plenty comfortable for us northerners and we wore shorts with a long sleeve top, had on sunscreen and carried water on our hikes. There is a 13 mile one way scenic loop which you can drive through and see plenty just stopping at the overlooks. There are also many hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate to difficult with a variety of elevation rises and lengths that you can choose from to see petroglyphs, hidden falls, scenic views and nature’s beauty more close up. The guide which you can access online or pick up in paper form has a map and very good descriptions of all scenic views, overlooks and hiking trails. Be aware that if you plan to rely on your phone, service is not reliable throughout the park. I recommend arriving early to beat the crowds especially on weekends or when the weather is more inviting. There is a visitor and information building with bathrooms and some information on the park and animals and land but stop on your way in because with a one-way route you won’t have another opportunity. We spent about 4 hours in the park and hit a few of the highlights, stopped at the scenic overlooks and hiked 4 different trails. Check park hours as well because they vary with the seasons. We will be back to explore the area more but the time we spent gave us time to explore the park and hit the highlights.
6. Ice Box Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
This canyon is part of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and is good for hiking.
Reviewed By rduinc - Saint Louis, United States
Great hiking and climbing in this part of Red Rock Conservation area. Nice thing is you can go off the path, but it's very easy to get back, unlike some other places we have hiked/climbed.
7. Mount Charleston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,459 reviews
A quiet retreat from the high energy of Las Vegas, this mountain stands at 11,918 feet and offers numerous outdoor activities such as horseback riding, camping and hiking.
Reviewed By 93tiffanya - Salt Lake City, United States
Mount Charleston offers a pleasant surprise in the desert. A short drive away from the Las Vegas Strip and you enter a beautiful mountainous region with tall pines and fabulous hiking trails. Great place to beat the heat.
8. Arizona Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Hike White Rock Canyon scaling 100-foot walls down into the hot springs.
Reviewed By 986phyllisb - North Vernon, United States
Loved it's so much, this is a wonderful trip. Lots of beautiful scenery. We planned a 2 day trip which turned into 1 day trip because of high winds. But I still recommended.
9. Historic Railroad Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Areas of this trail were used in the movie "The Gauntlet."
Reviewed By Robbenzhood - Moodus, United States
We left the strip for some fresh air. Nice easy walk, some great tunnels to go through. Bring water and go early. We were done with our walk by 930. Due to Covid, for some reason the end of the trail, where we would be able to see the Hoover dam was closed. This was a little bit of a let down.Not a lot of others on the trail, and plenty of things to take pictures of. Best of all it's free. Then if you have time, stop by Boulder city historic town for a great breakfast and a walk back in time.
10. Calico Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By BostonExplorer32
A recently upgraded boardwalk that's wheelchair accessible takes you around the basin with beautiful views of multi-colored rock formations and excellent signage explaining the history, geology, and animal life. There are also more demanding trails, as well as bouldering for the more adventurous. Clean bathrooms and shaded picnic tables off parking lot. Well-marked right turn off Red Rock Canyon Road, about a mile before you get to the Visitor Center. No fee. Worth a visit.
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