Outdoor Activities Around Las Vegas

Las Vegas is best known for its nightlife and entertainment, but the surrounding landscape offers notable outdoor recreation in the American West. The combination of desert, mountains, and water within a short drive of a major metropolitan area is unusual. Here is what outdoor enthusiasts can expect in Southern Nevada.\n\nHiking\n\nHiking is the most accessible outdoor activity in the Las Vegas area. Red Rock Canyon offers more than 30 trails ranging from easy walks like the Calico Hills Overlook to challenging climbs like Turtlehead Peak. Mount Charleston's trails take you through pine forests and alpine meadows, a welcome break from the desert heat. Valley of Fire has shorter trails that lead to petroglyphs and dramatic rock formations. Lake Mead's shoreline offers relatively flat trails with water views. The Historic Railroad Trail follows the old Hoover Dam railway through tunnels carved into the cliffs.\n\nRock Climbing\n\nRed Rock Canyon is one of the major rock climbing destinations in North America. The Aztec sandstone formations offer thousands of climbing routes across all difficulty levels. Climbers come from around the world to test themselves on the long multi-pitch routes that make Red Rock famous. The climbing season runs from fall through spring, with winter offering some of the best conditions. Local climbing gyms also serve as training grounds for those new to the sport.\n\nBoating and Watersports\n\nLake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States and provides 550 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Multiple marinas offer boat rentals, launching facilities, and supplies. The Colorado River below Hoover Dam offers calmer waters for float trips. Kayak tours of the Black Canyon area are popular, with hot springs, wildlife, and towering canyon walls.\n\nMountain Recreation\n\nMount Charleston offers summer hiking, camping, and picnicking in cool pine forests. The Fletcher View and Cathedral Rock campgrounds provide overnight options. In winter, the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort at Lee Canyon offers downhill skiing and snowboarding. The resort has a terrain park, beginner slopes, and advanced runs. Snowshoeing and sledding are also popular winter activities.\n\nDesert Exploration\n\nThe Mojave Desert around Las Vegas provides endless opportunities for exploration. Valley of Fire State Park is the most accessible desert destination with its red sandstone formations. The Mojave National Preserve, about 90 minutes south, offers even more remote desert landscapes. Off-road vehicle trails crisscross the desert, and guided tours take visitors to areas that require four-wheel drive.\n\nCycling\n\nLas Vegas has become increasingly bike-friendly. The River Mountains Loop Trail is a 35-mile paved loop connecting Henderson, Boulder City, and Lake Mead. Red Rock Canyon has a popular road cycling route on the scenic drive, especially early in the morning before traffic picks up. Mountain bikers have dedicated trails in Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City and on Blue Diamond Road near Red Rock.\n\nSouthern Nevada's outdoor recreation opportunities are a major reason people choose to live here. The ability to hike, climb, boat, or ski within minutes of a major city is rare. For outdoor enthusiasts, Las Vegas is a convenient home base.