Although it might be tempting to spend all of your time in Las Vegas at the casinos and going to shows, there is a lot to offer if you’re up for renting a car and taking a road trip from Vegas. We came up with 5 day trips from Las Vegas that are less than a 3-hour drive. They include one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, an engineering marvel, and some ethereal rocks. No matter which day trip you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
Grand Canyon National Park
Just a little more than 2 hours’ drive over the border into Arizona you can visit one of the most awe-inspiring pieces of nature in the world. Grand Canyon National Park contains most of the Grand Canyon itself and is a great place to spend a day hiking or to do a longer backpacking trip.
Valley of Fire State Park
Less than 1 hour from Las Vegas is Valley of Fire State Park, known for its brilliant red sandstone formations. You can also find petrified trees and petroglyphs here, and it’s a perfect place for hiking and camping.
Hoover Dam
The iconic Hoover Dam, built during the Great Depression, sits on the Colorado River and provides hydroelectric power, water for irrigation and more. It also serves to keep Lake Mead to the east full. You can do a tour of the dam and there’s a walkway where you can see the grandness of it, and get a view of Black Canyon. You can get to the Hoover Dam in just 40 minutes from downtown Las Vegas.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
If you don’t have time to drive to Valley of Fire State Park, you can also see red sandstone and the nature of the Mojave Desert at Red Rock Canyon. It’s only a 20-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas. If it’s too hot to get out of the car, you can do a 13-mile scenic drive through the park. In cooler weather, there are several trails for hikers of every ability. You can also go camping at a basic campground in the park, but this is closed during the summer months.
Mt. Charleston
Did you know you can go skiing less than 1 hour from Las Vegas? That’s right, you can go from the desert to the slopes by driving about 45-minutes west to Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and Mt. Charleston. There you can hit the slopes at Lee Canyon, although it should be noted that the skiing options are for advanced skiers. Those who want to go tubing or do some easier skiing can instead go to Rabbit Peak.
SIXT Rent a car in Las Vegas
You can book a SIXT rent a car at one of our convenient locations in Sin City, including downtown and at the airport. If you want to feel like a high roller, book a luxury or exotic car and cruise the Las Vegas Strip. Or when you’re visiting with family or with colleagues for a business trip, opt for an SUV with more passenger and cargo room.
