best hiking near las vegas

Las Vegas is a great place to visit for gambling, shows, and nightlife, but did you know it’s also a great place to go hiking? There are several hiking trails near Las Vegas that offer stunning scenery, challenging terrain, and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of the most popular hiking destinations near Las Vegas. It’s home to towering red rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. There are over 26 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to difficult. Some of the most popular trails include⁚

• Calico Hills Trail⁚ A 2.6-mile loop trail that offers stunning views of the Red Rock escarpment.
• Lost Creek Canyon Trail⁚ A 4.8-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall.
• Pine Creek Canyon Trail⁚ A 6.7-mile loop trail that takes you through a lush canyon with towering rock walls.

Red Rock Canyon is a great place to go hiking year-round, but it’s important to be prepared for the heat in the summer months. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. You should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the monsoon season (July-September).

To get to Red Rock Canyon, take I-215 west from Las Vegas and exit at Blue Diamond Road. Follow Blue Diamond Road north for about 10 miles to the entrance of the park.

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is another popular hiking destination near Las Vegas. It’s home to unique red sandstone formations, petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to difficult. Some of the most popular trails include⁚

• Fire Wave Trail⁚ A 1.5-mile loop trail that leads to a stunning wave-shaped sandstone formation.
• White Domes Trail⁚ A 3-mile loop trail that takes you through a field of white sandstone domes.
• Mouse’s Tank Trail⁚ A 6-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a natural water tank.

Valley of Fire is a great place to go hiking year-round, but it’s important to be prepared for the heat in the summer months. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. You should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the monsoon season (July-September).

To get to Valley of Fire State Park, take I-15 north from Las Vegas and exit at Valley of Fire Road. Follow Valley of Fire Road for about 20 miles to the entrance of the park.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a vast and diverse park that offers a variety of hiking opportunities. The park is home to Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the United States, as well as several mountain ranges and canyons. There are over 250 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to difficult.

Some of the most popular hiking trails in Lake Mead National Recreation Area include⁚

• Lakeshore Trail⁚ A 26-mile trail that follows the shoreline of Lake Mead. The trail is relatively flat and easy to hike, making it a good option for families with young children.
• Black Canyon Trail⁚ A 5-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a slot canyon with sheer rock walls. The trail is moderately difficult and requires some scrambling.
• Quail Springs Trail⁚ A 3-mile loop trail that takes you through a desert landscape with wildflowers and wildlife. The trail is easy to hike and is a good option for a short hike.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a great place to go hiking year-round, but it’s important to be prepared for the heat in the summer months. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. You should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the monsoon season (July-September).

To get to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, take I-95 south from Las Vegas and exit at Lake Mead Boulevard. Follow Lake Mead Boulevard for about 20 miles to the entrance of the park.

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is a 48,000-acre park that is home to a variety of desert landscapes, including canyons, washes, and mountains. The park is also home to a number of archaeological sites, including petroglyphs and remnants of ancient settlements.

There are over 30 miles of hiking trails to choose from in Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, ranging from easy to difficult. Some of the most popular hiking trails include⁚

• Petroglyph Canyon Trail⁚ A 1-mile loop trail that takes you past a number of petroglyphs. The trail is easy to hike and is a good option for families with young children.
• Goat Peak Trail⁚ A 3-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the summit of Goat Peak, the highest point in the park. The trail is moderately difficult and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
• Keyhole Canyon Trail⁚ A 4-mile loop trail that takes you through a narrow canyon with sheer rock walls. The trail is difficult and requires some scrambling.

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is a great place to go hiking year-round, but it’s important to be prepared for the heat in the summer months. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. You should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the monsoon season (July-September).

To get to Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, take I-95 south from Las Vegas and exit at Sloan Road. Follow Sloan Road for about 10 miles to the entrance of the park.

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is a 316,000-acre park that is home to a variety of mountain landscapes, including forests, meadows, and peaks. The park is also home to a number of lakes and streams, making it a great place to go hiking, fishing, and camping.

There are over 500 miles of hiking trails to choose from in Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, ranging from easy to difficult. Some of the most popular hiking trails include⁚

• Mary Jane Falls Trail⁚ A 3-mile out-and-back trail that leads to Mary Jane Falls, a beautiful waterfall. The trail is moderately difficult and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains;
• Mount Charleston Peak Trail⁚ A 6-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the summit of Mount Charleston, the highest point in the park. The trail is difficult and requires some scrambling, but the views from the summit are worth it.
• Fletcher Canyon Trail⁚ A 4-mile loop trail that takes you through a beautiful canyon with lush vegetation. The trail is easy to hike and is a good option for families with young children.

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is a great place to go hiking year-round, but it’s important to be prepared for the cold and snow in the winter months. Be sure to bring plenty of layers of clothing and wear sturdy hiking boots. You should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the monsoon season (July-September).

To get to Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, take I-95 north from Las Vegas and exit at Kyle Canyon Road. Follow Kyle Canyon Road for about 10 miles to the entrance of the park.

Mount Potosi Recreation Area

Mount Potosi Recreation Area is a 1,000-acre park that is home to Mount Potosi, the highest point in the McCullough Range. The park is also home to a number of other peaks, canyons, and washes, making it a great place to go hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.

There are over 20 miles of hiking trails to choose from in Mount Potosi Recreation Area, ranging from easy to difficult. Some of the most popular hiking trails include⁚

• Mount Potosi Trail⁚ A 3-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the summit of Mount Potosi. The trail is moderately difficult and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
• McCullough Pass Trail⁚ A 6-mile out-and-back trail that takes you through McCullough Pass, a historic pass used by Native Americans and early settlers. The trail is easy to hike and is a good option for families with young children.
• Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail⁚ A 4-mile loop trail that takes you to Gold Strike Hot Springs, a natural hot spring. The trail is moderately difficult and offers beautiful views of the surrounding desert.

Mount Potosi Recreation Area is a great place to go hiking year-round, but it’s important to be prepared for the heat in the summer months. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen. You should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the monsoon season (July-September).

To get to Mount Potosi Recreation Area, take I-95 north from Las Vegas and exit at Sloan Road. Follow Sloan Road for about 10 miles to the entrance of the park.