Most visitors spend three days inside air-conditioned casinos and never see the desert that surrounds the city. That is a missed opportunity. Within an hour of the Strip, you can hike red sandstone cliffs, paddle a canyon below Hoover Dam, or watch the sun set over Mojave rock formations. If you are searching for things to do outdoors in Las Vegas, you want options that fit a short trip.
Here is the short answer. The best outdoor picks are Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam, with hiking, kayaking, and helicopter flights as the top ways to experience them. Most are 20 to 60 minutes from your hotel, and half a day is enough for any of them. Go early from May through September, because midday heat can top 105°F.
Below, you will find 10 outdoor activities, with what each one involves, how long it takes, and who it suits best. Since 2007, we have guided over a million tours here, so we also note which spots are easy to book as a guided tour and which you can handle on your own.
1. Take a guided outdoor tour with Another Side Tours
What you’ll see and do
Starting with a guided tour makes sense if you have one free day and no rental car. Another Side Tours runs natural attractions tours to Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon, so you cover the highlights without reading a map or hunting for parking. Your guide explains the desert as you go: why the sandstone is red, how crews built the dam in the 1930s, and where locals stop for the best photos.
Helicopter tours add another angle, with aerial views of the Strip and Red Rock Canyon from above. If you want comfort and a private pace, the VIP tours use Mercedes Limo Vans and can be customized around your group. If Valley of Fire or the Grand Canyon is on your list, call and ask what is running for your dates.
A good guide turns a drive through the desert into a story you actually remember.
Who it’s best for
Think of this option as the low-stress pick. It suits first-time visitors, families, couples, and small groups who would rather enjoy the scenery than plan logistics. It also works well for international travelers who do not know the local geography.
- Visitors with only a day or two outside the casinos
- Travelers without a car, or who dislike desert driving in summer
- Corporate groups and friends who want a shared, organized outing
Time, cost, and how to book
Natural attractions tours run 3 to 5 hours and cost $249 to $399 per person, depending on the route and group setup. Specialty and helicopter options vary, so confirm details before you commit.
| Outdoor option | Typical length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon tours | 3 to 5 hours | $249 to $399 |
| Helicopter tours (Strip, Red Rock) | Varies by flight | Quoted at booking |
| VIP private tours (Mercedes Limo Van) | Custom | Quoted at booking |
Booking is simple. Visit Another Side Tours to see current tours, or call 1-702-819-9127 to talk through your dates. Ask about transportation and pickup when you book, since inclusions differ by tour. In summer, choose a morning departure so you hit the trails before the heat peaks.
2. Hike and drive Red Rock Canyon
What you’ll see and do
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sits about 17 miles west of the Strip, roughly 30 minutes by car. It is the easiest of the things to do outdoors in Las Vegas when you only have a morning. The 13-mile Scenic Drive loops past red and cream sandstone walls, with pullouts for photos and trailheads.
Once you park, hike Red Rock Canyon on a trail that matches your energy. Wild burros sometimes wander near the road, so keep your distance and drive slowly.
- Calico Tanks: about 2.5 miles round trip, with a short scramble to a rock pool and wide views
- Ice Box Canyon: about 2.6 miles round trip, shaded and cooler, with a seasonal waterfall
- Pine Creek Canyon: about 2.2 miles round trip, with pines and old homestead ruins
Who it’s best for
Red Rock suits almost everyone. Hikers of any level can find a fitting trail, and photographers get dramatic light at sunrise and late afternoon. Families with young kids can stick to the drive and a short walk near the visitor center.
Skip the longer trails in summer afternoons. Rock holds heat, and shade is scarce.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 2 to 4 hours for the drive plus one hike. Entry has been about $20 per vehicle, but fees and rules change. Timed-entry reservations for the Scenic Drive are required during much of the year, so check the official Red Rock Canyon page and reserve ahead on Recreation.gov before you go.
Red Rock rewards an early start: fewer cars, cooler rock, and better light.
Bring at least a liter of water per person, even for short hikes. Cell service is patchy, so download your map first.
Don’t want to handle reservations or driving? Red Rock Canyon tours are part of our natural attractions tour from item 1, so a guide handles the route and the stories behind the rock.
3. Explore Valley of Fire State Park
What you’ll see and do
Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park, about 55 miles northeast of the Strip, and it is the most colorful of the things to do outdoors in Las Vegas. The Aztec sandstone glows orange and red, especially in the morning. A paved park road connects the main sights, so you can see a lot without a long hike.
- Fire Wave: about 1.5 miles round trip, with swirled red and cream stripes
- White Domes loop: about 1.1 miles, through a short slot canyon
- Atlatl Rock: a quick stair climb to ancient petroglyphs
- Elephant Rock: a short walk near the east entrance
Who it’s best for
Photographers get the most out of this park. Sunrise and late afternoon light make the rock look lit from inside. It also suits casual hikers and families with school-age kids, since most trails are short and the scenery shows up fast.
Services are limited, and shade is rare. If you need easy access to food and restrooms, pick Red Rock instead.
Time, cost, and how to book
The drive takes about an hour each way on I-15 and Valley of Fire Road. Plan 3 to 5 hours in the park, which makes it a solid half-day trip. Day entry has been about $15 per out-of-state vehicle, but confirm current fees on the Nevada State Parks site before you go.
In summer, arrive before 9 a.m., because Valley of Fire can top 105°F by midday.
Bring more water than you think you need, and fuel up before you leave town. Cell service drops out inside the park. Don’t want to drive? Call 1-702-819-9127 and ask Another Side Tours about guided Valley of Fire trips for your dates.
4. Visit Hoover Dam and the Bypass Bridge
What you’ll see and do
Hoover Dam sits about 30 miles southeast of the Strip, roughly 45 minutes by car. Crews finished it in 1936, and the concrete arch still rises 726 feet above Black Canyon. It is one of the easiest things to do outdoors in Las Vegas if you want big scenery without a hike.
The best view comes from the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, just downstream. Park in the bridge lot and walk the pedestrian walkway, about 890 feet above the Colorado River. You look straight down on the dam and the blue-green water of Lake Mead behind it.
- Dam crest walk: stroll across the top and read the markers on the Nevada and Arizona sides
- Bridge walkway: free, with the classic photo of the dam curve
- Powerplant tour: a short guided look inside, run by the Bureau of Reclamation
Walk the bridge first, because it is the one place where you can see the whole dam at once.
Who it’s best for
History fans and engineering geeks get the most out of this stop. Families with older kids also do well, since the walking is short and paved.
It is a weaker pick for serious hikers, and the open walkway has no shade. If heat bothers you, go early or late in summer.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 2 to 3 hours total, including parking and the security screening at the checkpoint. The bridge walkway costs nothing. Parking and tour tickets are set by the Bureau of Reclamation, and prices and tour options change, so check usbr.gov before you drive out.
The simplest route is a guided Hoover Dam trip. Hoover Dam is part of our natural attractions tours, which run 3 to 5 hours and cost $249 to $399 per person. Your guide handles the drive and the checkpoint, and tells the story of the 1930s workers behind it. Call 1-702-819-9127 or visit Another Side Tours to check dates.
5. Spend a day at Lake Mead
What you’ll see and do
Lake Mead National Recreation Area starts about 30 minutes southeast of the Strip and puts real water in the middle of the Mojave. Hoover Dam created the lake, and it is one of the things to do outdoors in Las Vegas where you can actually swim, float, and cool off.
- Boulder Beach: swim, wade, and sunbathe on the closest shoreline
- Boating: rent a pontoon boat or jet ski from a marina such as Callville Bay
- Fishing: cast for striped bass, with a valid Nevada or Arizona license
- Scenic overlooks: drive the shoreline roads for sunset views over the basin
Lake Mead is the easiest way to add a true water day to a desert trip.
Water levels have dropped over the last two decades, so beaches and launch ramps shift from year to year. Check current conditions on the National Park Service Lake Mead page before you pick a spot.
Who it’s best for
Families, friend groups, and anyone who wants a slow, low-effort day will like it here. You can sit in the shade, swim, and skip the hiking entirely. Boat rentals work well for groups of six or more, since you split the cost.
Serious hikers may find it tame. Summer weekends also bring crowds and hot, exposed shorelines, so bring an umbrella, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 4 to 6 hours including the drive. Park entry has been about $25 per vehicle for a multi-day pass, but confirm current fees with the park. Boat and jet ski rental prices vary by season and vessel, so book directly with a marina, and reserve ahead on weekends.
If you only want the lake as a backdrop, you will see it from above Hoover Dam on the natural attractions tour described in item 1. Call 1-702-819-9127 or visit Another Side Tours to check dates.
6. Cool off on Mount Charleston
What you’ll see and do
Mount Charleston sits about 45 minutes northwest of the Strip, and the temperature drops fast as you climb. Trailheads above 7,500 feet run 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the valley floor. That makes this one of the best things to do outdoors in Las Vegas when summer heat wins. You trade red rock for ponderosa pine and, in fall, golden aspen.
- Mary Jane Falls: about 3 miles round trip, with a seasonal waterfall at the end
- Cathedral Rock: about 2.5 miles round trip, through shaded forest to a canyon overlook
- Bristlecone Trail: a loop of about 6 miles past ancient, twisted pines
- Lee Canyon: skiing and snowboarding in winter, when snowfall allows
When the valley hits 105°F, Mount Charleston is the easiest place nearby to need a light jacket.
Who it’s best for
Heat-averse travelers get the most out of this stop. It suits hikers who want shade, families with kids who like pine cones and picnic tables, and anyone visiting in winter who wants to see snow without a long flight.
Altitude catches people off guard. Trailheads sit high, so walk slowly and drink more water than you expect. Skip the strenuous Charleston Peak trail, a 16-mile round trip, unless you are an experienced hiker with a full day.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 3 to 5 hours including the drive. Most trailheads are free to use, though some picnic areas charge small day-use fees. Lee Canyon lift tickets and rentals are priced separately, so check their site before you go.
This is a self-drive stop. Winter storms and wildfire damage can close roads without notice, so check current conditions with the U.S. Forest Service before you leave. Fill your tank in town and download your map, because cell service fades in the canyons. If you want a guided outing instead, call 1-702-819-9127 and ask Another Side Tours what fits your dates.
7. Kayak the Black Canyon Water Trail
What you’ll see and do
The Black Canyon Water Trail follows the Colorado River below Hoover Dam, about an hour southeast of the Strip. It is one of the most unusual things to do outdoors in Las Vegas, because you paddle a calm green river between tall volcanic canyon walls. Most trips run downstream, so the current does part of the work.
- Emerald Cave: a small cove where sunlight bounces off the water and turns it green, best around midday
- Side canyons and hot springs: warm trickles and short stops where you can step out and explore
- Wildlife: desert bighorn sheep on the cliffs, plus herons and other river birds
The river below Hoover Dam is gentle enough for beginners and dramatic enough to feel like an expedition.
Who it’s best for
Beginners do well here, as long as they paddle with a licensed outfitter. Guides handle the launch, the route, and the shuttle back. Confident paddlers can go self-guided, but they need to read the water and plan the logistics of kayaking Black Canyon.
Wind can pick up in the afternoon and make the return paddle tiring. It is a poor fit for anyone who cannot swim or who dislikes sitting in the sun for hours. Wear a life jacket the whole time.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 4 to 6 hours including the drive, with a morning start to beat the heat. Guided trips usually include kayaks, life jackets, and a shuttle, and prices vary by outfitter and season, so compare a few before you book. Reserve ahead on weekends and in spring, when this stretch gets busy.
Self-guided paddlers need to confirm permit rules and launch access with the National Park Service Lake Mead page before they go. Rules and river conditions change.
We do not run paddling trips ourselves. If you would rather see the canyon without a boat, our Hoover Dam tour from item 4 shows you the same river from above. Call 1-702-819-9127 or visit Another Side Tours to plan it.
8. Soak in Arizona Hot Springs
What you’ll see and do
Arizona Hot Springs is one of the more unusual things to do outdoors in Las Vegas, because the reward is a warm soak at the end of a canyon hike. The trailhead sits near Hoover Dam, about 45 minutes southeast of the Strip. The route runs roughly 5.5 miles round trip down a sandy wash toward the Colorado River, then up a narrow slot canyon.
The last stretch gets adventurous. You climb a few metal ladders over dry waterfalls, then reach pools of warm water tucked into the rock. The water hovers near 100°F, so the canyon feels like a stone bathhouse.
- Wash walk: open desert with long views toward the river
- Ladder climbs: short, steep, and easy to handle with dry hands
- Hot pools: small and shallow, best enjoyed in cooler months
Hike this one from October to April, because a hot spring in a 105°F canyon is a bad idea.
Who it’s best for
Fit hikers who like a bit of scrambling will enjoy it most. It suits adventurous couples and friend groups who want a story to tell afterward. Water shoes help on slick rock.
Skip it if you dislike heights, have small children, or hike with a dog, since the ladders are awkward. Weekends can get crowded, and the pools fit only a few people at a time.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 4 to 6 hours including the drive and a long soak. Hiking is self-guided, so there is nothing to book. Entry and parking rules fall under Lake Mead National Recreation Area, so check fees and closures on the National Park Service Lake Mead page before you go.
Start early, carry at least two liters of water per person, and bring a headlamp if you might finish late. Keep your head out of the water, since hot springs can carry rare but serious amoeba infections. We do not run hot springs hikes, but you can call 1-702-819-9127 and ask Another Side Tours about nearby Hoover Dam options.
9. Ride the trails at Bootleg Canyon
What you’ll see and do
Bootleg Canyon sits in Boulder City, about 30 miles southeast of the Strip, roughly 35 minutes by car. Of all the things to do outdoors in Las Vegas, it is the best one for mountain biking. The hillside is covered in rocky desert singletrack, and the ridgeline gives you wide views toward Lake Mead.
- Downhill runs: steep, rocky, and technical, with big drops and tight turns
- Cross-country loops: pedal-powered rides with moderate climbs and fast descents
- Zip lines: a canyon zip line course runs on the same hillside
- Hiking: the trails are open to walkers, so you can explore on foot
Bootleg is rough desert singletrack, so rent a quality bike and wear a helmet and pads.
Who it’s best for
Intermediate and advanced riders get the most out of this place. The terrain is loose and rocky, and a crash on desert rock hurts. Newer riders should stick to the easier loops or book a lesson with a local shop.
If you have never ridden off-road, pick another stop on this list. It also suits thrill-seekers who want a zip line more than a long walk.
Time, cost, and how to book
Plan 2 to 4 hours on the trails, plus the drive. Trail access is generally free, but bike rentals, shuttles, and zip line tickets are priced by the outfitters in Boulder City. Prices and hours change, so check with a shop before you go, and book ahead on weekends.
Ride at sunrise from May through September. Rock holds heat, and shade is rare. Carry at least two liters of water, a spare tube, and a phone with your map downloaded.
We do not run mountain bike trips, but Boulder City sits right on the road to Hoover Dam. Call 1-702-819-9127 or visit Another Side Tours and ask about pairing a dam visit with your riding day.
10. Take a helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon
What you’ll see and do
The Grand Canyon sits roughly 120 miles east of the Strip, which makes this the splurge among the things to do outdoors in Las Vegas. A helicopter turns a long drive into a short flight. Most routes pass over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, then drop below the rim into the canyon.
- Air-only flyover: the shortest option, with big views and no landing
- Landing tour: touch down on the canyon floor, often with a short walk and a snack
- Rim package: a flight combined with time at the West Rim viewpoints
A helicopter shows you in a few hours what a ground trip needs a full day to reach.
Who it’s best for
Travelers who are short on time get the most from this one. It also suits anyone who cannot hike but still wants the canyon’s scale, plus couples marking a special trip.
Skip it if you get motion sickness or dislike heights. Some operators weigh passengers to balance the aircraft, so ask about weight rules when you book.
Time, cost, and how to book
Expect 3 to 4 hours door to door for most landing tours, including hotel pickup. Prices vary widely by operator and landing option, so compare what each ticket includes. Ask about park or tribal entry fees, since some are billed separately.
Book a few days ahead, and more in spring and fall. Wind and weather can cancel flights, so ask about the rescheduling policy before you pay. Choose an operator with a strong safety record and recent Grand Canyon tour reviews.
Our own Las Vegas helicopter tours cover aerial views of the Strip and Red Rock Canyon. If the Grand Canyon is your goal, call 1-702-819-9127 or visit Another Side Tours to ask what is available for your dates.
Picking your outdoor day in Vegas
The best things to do outdoors in Las Vegas come down to your time, your energy, and the season. Pick Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire for color, Lake Mead or the Black Canyon for water, and Mount Charleston when the heat wins. Hikers and riders can go it alone. If you want big views with little effort, a helicopter flight or a guided drive covers the most ground.
Whatever you choose, start early and carry more water than you think you need. The desert rewards a morning start every time. If you would rather skip the driving and the reservations, build a custom outdoor day with Another Side Tours and let a local guide shape the route around your group. You can also call 1-702-819-9127 to talk through your dates.
