Las Vegas is blessed to be located in an area of the country that typically sees gorgeous weather through most of the year. When things are especially nice in the spring and fall, it’s good to get in the car and head to one of the many nearby national parks.
Whether you spend the day hiking, biking trails or getting the adrenaline flowing with zip lines or kayaking, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time in the sunshine in the numerous recreational areas from the National Park Service. Grab your National Park Pass (and maybe some hiking gear), make a travel plan, and head out early to maximize your daylight hours. Make sure to leave no trace at these stunning sites.
Five National Parks Within a Day of Las Vegas
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is just over three hours away, in California, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. This is one park to perhaps leave your pets at home, given the arid weather and spiky vegetation. Hike through the geological formations, pack a picnic for the Cholla Cactus Garden, catch a sunset from Cap Rock, and stay late to stargaze.
Be sure to snap a shot with the namesake Joshua Tree, found exclusively in the southwestern United States.
Bryce Canyon National Park
A bit further away at 4 hours drive time from Vegas, Bryce Canyon National Park is compact enough to make a single day adequate time to explore. Famous for having the greatest concentration of hoodoos on Earth, these spire-like rock formations are one of the unique draws to this park in particular and are best viewed at sunrise or sunset.
In addition to hiking, both camping and horseback riding are available in the park, and it also draws crowds for annual astronomy and geology festivals.
Zion National Park
Just over two and a half hours away is Zion National Park, in Utah. Known for the Angel’s Landing and The Narrows hikes in particular, this park offers a range of experiences for all ages. Some particular hikes require permits, so be sure to plan out your route in advance.
Typically, you can use your own vehicle to drive through the park until it reaches capacity. There is a weekend shuttle in operation as well to help with increased crowds and congestion.
Death Valley National Park
Visits to Death Valley National Park are perhaps best left to seasons other than summer, but there is plenty of diversity to explore in the park. In addition to hiking, backpacking and horseback riding, the park is known for its bird-watching opportunities and stargazing.
The park has no closing time and is so dark that you can see the night sky and astronomical objects in vivid detail like nowhere else.
Grand Canyon National Park
Whether you see it as a glorified hole in the ground or a numbered item on your Bucket List, everyone who lives in Vegas should make a point of visiting the Grand Canyon National Park at least once. The West entrance is our closest access point to this Natural Wonder, at about two hours away.
Take in the view from the modern glass-and-steel Skywalk or get your adrenaline flowing with a guided white water rafting trip or 40 MPH zipline trip, or splurge for a helicopter tour.
