Las Vegas, Nevada

The shoreline of "Lake" Mead is what you would expect of a large, man-made reservoir with fluctuating water levels (muddy & unpleasant), but that is not to say that the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is not filled with incredible places to explore (it is), and Boxcar Cove is a solid spot ...

40 minutes from the McCarran International Airport, you will find these car-sized boulders stacked on top of each other painted in neon colors. If you're headed this way, it's worth a quick stop to take a look. 

Boulder Beach at Lake Mead is a great place to get your toes wet while road tripping.  It's a big beach with a campground, ample parking, and ducks!  The water is very clear and an amazing blue.  When the wind picks up there are little waves forming, so keep that in mind if you plan on kayaking o...

Just a scenic 1-hour drive from Las Vegas, this trail winds through groves of ancient bristlecone pines and mixed conifers - making it a favorite for hikers, runners, and bikers. Trail Type: Out-and-back singletrack. Surface: Packed dirt with natural mountain tread. Difficulty: Easy to moderat...

This man-made lake on the Colorado River is underrated in my opinion.  It has everything an outdoor enthusiast could want from scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding, all kinds of water sports, and plenty of camping options.      This beach is near Boulder City.  Use the Boulder City Entrance, g...

These tunnels were built to support the construction of the Hoover Dam. If you decide to go all the way to the dam, there is an elevator for accessibility along with stairs. This hike is relatively flat, and perfect for children - but mind the distance.  Driving directions: From Las Vegas, NV,...

This short but unforgettable hike threads through tight sandstone walls and dramatic desert terrain, making it a perfect half-day outing for anyone craving a mix of exploration and quiet beauty under big desert skies. Trail Type: Out-and-back or loop options. Surface: Sandy washes and slickrock...

The first mile is flat and deceivingly easy as you walk under a highway bridge and in between looming canyon walls. But don't get too comfortable -- at around the 1.5 mile mark you will reach the first of eight ropes along the trail and the challenge begins. You will need to use these ropes to ...

Straddling the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge protects a wide variety of ecosystems across a diverse landscape. The refuge was established in 1936 in order to provide habitat for the desert bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife. Today, it is the largest wild...

This trail is also accessible from the Colorado River just below the Hoover Dam. Walk through wash from the river then enter a slot canyon and encounter numerous waterfalls. There are anchored ropes to assist in climbing up some of the waterfalls.  The trail features a hot spring, and is typical...

…Who doesn’t enjoy a little slot canyon fun, especially when it’s just off the highway. This (spooky) canyon is a fascinating slot canyon, consisting of conglomerate rock in the Lake Mead area in Arizona, not far southeast from the Hoover Dam. Most people don’t know even know this slot is here, s...

Parking for this hike is about 35 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. It should take less than an hour to get there from any of the hotels. There is easy, fee-free parking on the north side of Hwy 93. No permits are required, but a map is extremely helpful. Maps were available at a trail sign after y...

The Bowl of Fire, tucked away in the Muddy Mountains Wilderness, is made up of the same dramatic conglomerate as that of the Valley of Fire, only almost no-one stops to visit as they blitz by on Northshore Road in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. To get there take the Northshore Road 16 m...

This 10-mile canoe trip starts at Willow Beach and reaches all the way to the Hoover Dam, giving you front row seats to beautiful canyon walls, waterfalls, hot springs, (sauna) caves, hiking trails, and much more. There are multiple campsites along the river but not all have pit toilets so bring ...

First off, there is a lot of paddling involved...nothing too crazy, but just consistent. Most people start from the Hoover Dam and just float/ paddle down to the Arizona Hot Springs/ Camp and then finish at Willow Beach. But that also involves permits and you need to book it at least 6 months in ...

Arch Rock Campground is first come first serve campground in Valley of Fire State Park. It is the more "primitive" of the two campsites in the park. That is, there are far less RVs in this site and it is often easier to get a spot.To get here, take the Valley of Fire Highway to the entrance, whic...