![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.opreismetco.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/White-Domes-in-de-Valley-of-Fire-min.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe hiked the White Domes Trail<\/strong> and the impressive Fire Wave<\/strong>, two short hikes you really shouldn\u2019t miss. The Fire Wave in particular is spectacular, with swirling patterns of red, pink and white that look like a natural painting carved into the rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hoover Dam<\/strong> is an impressive structure on the border of Nevada and Arizona, about a 40-minute drive from Las Vegas. I especially enjoyed standing right in the middle of the dam, with one foot in Nevada and the other in Arizona, and technically in two time zones at once. From the dam itself you already have a great view, but for the most spectacular perspective head up to the Mike O\u2019Callaghan\u2013Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge<\/strong>, where you can see just how massive the dam really is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need a lot of time here if you\u2019re just looking around, which makes it easy to combine the Hoover Dam with other day trips from Las Vegas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n East of Las Vegas lies Lake Mead National Recreation Area<\/strong>, a massive reservoir formed by the construction of the Hoover Dam. It combines perfectly with a visit to the dam, but it\u2019s also worth a trip on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Lake Mead you can enjoy a variety of activities: boating, swimming, kayaking, or simply having a picnic by the water. Along the way there are several viewpoints where you can stop for photos. The deep blue water contrasts beautifully with the dry desert landscape that surrounds it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area<\/strong> was the very first place I visited solo from Las Vegas. Just before starting my multi-week hike on the Pacific Crest Trail<\/a>, I came here to \u201cpractice\u201d hiking in the desert, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. Even though you\u2019re only half an hour from the Strip, it feels like a completely different world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The landscape is filled with cacti, Joshua trees and, of course, the red rock formations that give the area its name. Hiking here is fantastic. I walked to the top of Turtlehead Peak<\/strong>, where you not only get a stunning view over Red Rock Canyon, but you can also see Las Vegas itself lying in the valley below. A bizarre and impressive sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to escape the desert heat, Mount Charleston<\/strong> is the perfect day trip. Within a 45-minute drive from the Strip you\u2019ll suddenly find yourself in a completely different landscape: forests, mountains and, in winter, even snow. In summer this area is especially popular for hiking, since the temperature is often about ten degrees cooler than in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of trails to choose from, ranging from short walks to longer hikes such as the Cathedral Rock Trail<\/strong> or the Griffith Peak Trail<\/strong>, both offering stunning mountain and forest views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On my way to the Mojave Desert, I stopped at Seven Magic Mountains<\/strong>, a colorful art installation about a half-hour drive from the Strip. The artwork consists of seven towers of brightly painted stacked boulders, and they are much larger than you might expect. In the middle of the vast desert landscape, they create an almost surreal scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The site is right next to the highway with convenient parking, so it\u2019s easy to stop and walk around. It\u2019s a fun quick visit, though do watch your step, as rattlesnakes can be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re heading toward California, it\u2019s worth continuing on to the Mojave National Preserve<\/strong>. This vast and desolate area is filled with Joshua trees, sand dunes and cacti. When I drove here myself, I hardly encountered anyone, which made it feel like the ultimate American road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A fun stop along the way is Kelso Depot<\/strong>, a former train station that has been partly restored and has a bit of a ghost town atmosphere. It\u2019s one of those places where you briefly feel like you\u2019ve stepped into an old western.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just south of Las Vegas lies Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area<\/strong>, a lesser-known but fascinating destination. The area is home to thousands of ancient petroglyphs, some dating back more than 4,000 years. It\u2019s often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Native American rock art<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to see them is by hiking the Petroglyph Canyon Trail<\/strong>, where you\u2019ll pass by most of the carvings. The landscape is desert-like, similar to Red Rock Canyon but much quieter and without the dramatic red rock cliffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you have time to spend a night or two outside Las Vegas? Then there are even more impressive places to discover within a short drive. Many of these destinations can be done as a day trip, but they really shine if you stay overnight. That way you have more time to hike, enjoy the peace and quiet, and admire the incredible starry skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About 2.5 hours west of Las Vegas lies Death Valley National Park<\/strong>, one of the hottest places on earth. During my visit the thermometer even hit 49\u00b0C (120\u00b0F). It was a surreal experience: the landscape felt otherworldly and the heat was so intense that you hardly sweat, as it evaporates instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights include the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes<\/strong>, Badwater Basin<\/strong> (at 282 feet \/ 85.5 meters below sea level, the lowest point in North America), and of course Zabriskie Point<\/strong>, where sunrise and sunset are especially breathtaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Death Valley can be done as a long day trip, I highly recommend spending at least one night. That way you can explore more sites at a relaxed pace and enjoy some of the best stargazing you\u2019ll ever see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a longer trip, you can even combine Death Valley and San Francisco in a great California road trip<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most famous road trips in the world is, of course, Route 66<\/strong>, and from Las Vegas you can easily drive a stretch of it. I\u2019ve driven this part several times myself, and it always feels special to be on such an iconic road. Route 66 is definitely something to put on your USA bucket list<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the distance is considerable, I recommend splitting it into two days. On day one, drive from Barstow via Amboy<\/strong> (with its photogenic old gas station) to Needles<\/strong>. On day two, continue from Needles via the charming town of Oatman<\/strong>, an old mining town where donkeys roam freely, to Kingman<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along the way you\u2019ll pass plenty of highlights. On the way out you can stop at Seven Magic Mountains<\/strong>, and on the return trip the Hoover Dam<\/strong> makes a great extra stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve visited the Grand Canyon<\/strong> twice now and both times I was deeply impressed. The sheer size is almost impossible to comprehend. On one trip, I even hiked right through the canyon. It took more time, but it was an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Las Vegas, it\u2019s about a 4.5-hour drive to the South Rim<\/strong>, the most popular and accessible entrance. Here you\u2019ll find a visitor center, restaurants, hotels, and of course countless viewpoints and hiking trails. Since this part of the canyon is so popular, it\u2019s best to book your accommodations well in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also drive to the North Rim<\/strong> (also 4.5 hours), which is much quieter and just as stunning. Keep in mind that the road to the North Rim is often closed in winter due to snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve visited Zion National Park<\/strong> twice now, and once I did it as a two-day trip from Las Vegas. That was really perfect: you have enough time to see the highlights, hike at your own pace, and enjoy the peace and quiet in the morning and evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Las Vegas it\u2019s only a 2.5-hour drive to Zion, so in theory you could do it as a day trip. But the park truly comes into its own if you stay overnight. Zion is an impressive canyon with steep red cliffs, and it\u2019s at its most beautiful in the early morning and late afternoon when the light turns soft and golden. The trails are also much quieter then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip: combine your visit from Las Vegas to Zion with Bryce Canyon National Park<\/a><\/strong>. That\u2019s actually one of the best USA road trip ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joshua Tree National Park<\/strong> is also easily accessible from Las Vegas. I\u2019ve been there twice, and on my last visit I stayed overnight right in the middle of the park. That was unforgettable: the starry sky here is so clear you could spend hours just looking up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Hoover Dam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Lake Mead National Recreation Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Red Rock Canyon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mount Charleston (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Seven Magic Mountains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mojave National Preserve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Fun multi-day road trips from Las Vegas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Death Valley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Route 66<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Grand Canyon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Zion National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Joshua Tree National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n