Las Vegas is best known for its glitz and glamour, from the vibrant neon signs and over-the-top stage shows to the “anything goes” vibe of the Strip. Having visited the Strip on one of my cross-country road trips, I wanted to see a different side of Sin City on my most recent trip. I planned Las Vegas day trips by car to venture beyond the city limits, explore the natural beauty of the desert landscape, and get a new perspective on a destination known for its party scene.
While many of the best day trips from Las Vegas cross state lines to venture deep into the nearby mountain ranges and desert landscapes, there are worthy adventures to be had without straying too far from the Strip.
From short hikes through Red Rock Canyon to kayaking on Lake Mead and touring Hoover Dam, I loved the activities I chose โ which is why I’m sharing my favorites below with you!
Recommended Las Vegas Day Trips – Up to 2 Hours by Car
On my most recent trip to Vegas, I had evening plans with relatives every night. I didn’t have half the day to spend in the car getting to an epic destination! I needed scenic spots and outdoor activities that were a short drive from Vegas, and I found a ton of fun and nearby things to do!
So whether it’s exploring the Art Deco Hoover Dam or visiting the incredible Emerald Cave and spotting bighorn sheep on the canyon walls, I was able to pack my days with exciting hikes and adventures without feeling like I was missing out. Keep reading for my favorite day trips by car less than two hours from Vegas.
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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour
- Distance from Las Vegas (one way): 56 miles, around 1 hour
- Cost/fees: $124-$129 pp
- Best time of year to visit: Winter to spring for fewer crowds and milder temperatures
- Best time of day: morning
- Recommended by: Lindsey, Queer Adventurers
Located along the Black Canyon stretch of the Colorado River is Emerald Cave, a small grotto with sparkling emerald green water. It’s known as Emerald Cave (or Emerald Cove) because the water takes on a vivid green hue when it is hit by the sun.
A guided kayak trip to Emerald Cave is the perfect way to see the green glow for yourself, while also learning about the history of Black Canyon, which was one of the sites considered for Hoover Dam.
Kayak trips to Emerald Cave are roughly four hours long. You’ll meet at the boat launch in Willow Beach, AZ, paddle to the cove, have a chance to experience the incredible green glow for yourself, and paddle back.
This is a great day trip for couples, solo travelers, and families with older children. The water is calm with no rapids. You don’t need to be an experienced kayaker if you do a guided trip.
A ton of outfitters do day trips to Emerald Cave from Las Vegas. We went with Blazin Paddles, and I did a huge write up on my Emerald Cave kayak trip. Check it out for helpful tips like what to wear, what to bring, and is an Emerald Cave kayak tour worth it?
Day Trip to Hoover Dam
- Distance from Las Vegas (one way): 39 miles, around 45 minutes
- Cost/fees: Free to visit; tours and parking cost money
- Best time of year to visit: Spring or fall for milder temperatures and smaller crowds
- Best time of day: Morning or late afternoon, since the light is better for photos
- Recommended by: Lindsey, Queer Adventurers
Less than an hour from Downtown Las Vegas, Hoover Dam is an awe-inspiring and educational day trip.
You can visit the dam in a half day. For a longer adventure, explore nearby Boulder City or tack on the Emerald Cove kayak trip, since the dam is on the way to the launch point at Willow Beach!
Hoover Dam was created in the 1930s to bring drinking water and hydroelectric power to the west. On a tour of the dam, you’ll learn the story of its creation and get a peek behind the scenes. Tours are offered daily from 9 am to 3:45; the visitor center is open from 9 to 5 daily.
A tour of Hoover Dam is a must for history buffs, engineering enthusiasts, and art appreciators, who will enjoy the Art Deco style of the buildings. It’s also a great activity for families with children who are fascinated by large equipment.
Tours of Hoover Dam are first-come, first-served. They often sell out. While you can purchase tickets for the Powerplant Tour online, you can only buy Guided Dam tour tickets onsite.
The Guided Dam Tour is the longer tour option, showing off the power plant, inspection tunnels, and dam exterior. This was sold out on the day we visited.
The Powerplant Tour is shorter. It’s also the more accessible option, suitable for wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and baby carriages.
On the Powerplant Tour, you’ll walk through construction tunnels, see pipes carrying water from the river to the power plant, and see the generators that create power from water. When I visited, a team was repairing one of the generators. We were lucky to see workers down below fabricating new parts for the generator.
I’ll be honestโฆI was hoping the Hoover Dam tour would discuss the complicated story of water rights in the West from a modern perspective. The tour celebrated the dam’s creation and ‘taming’ of the Colorado River. It did not address climate change, drought, or the future of water in the West. Nor did the gift shop offer any books that filled the gap.
Perhaps one day, the Hoover Dam will offer an environmental exhibit that addresses climate-driven questions like these!
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Distance from Las Vegas (one way): 17 miles, around 25 minutes
- Cost/fees: $20 per car
- Best time of year to visit: Winter to spring for cooler weather
- Best time of day: Morning
- Recommended by: Lindsey, Queer Adventurers
Just 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area features brilliant red rock formations. From October 1 to May 31, 8 am to 5 pm, you need a timed reservation to drive through the scenic loop road that runs through the park. From June 1 to September 30, you can visit without a reservation.
Red Rock Canyon is great for all ages, including families. There are gentler hikes for those wanting an easy day, challenges (like Turtlehead Peak) for those wanting a strenuous adventure, and plenty of opportunities to explore nature, see petroglyphs, and enjoy the desert atmosphere!
Red Rock Canyon has a scenic loop road that runs through the park, offering incredible views of the multicolored rock. Bikers get a great quad workout with some pretty big hill climbs. Hikers and climbers will want to pull off at one of the trail parking lots.
I went with the Calico Tanks trail, which is a local favorite. The trail was 2.2 miles out and back. The terrain altered between gentle rambles over sand stock and steeper rock scrambles, leading to a rock outlook that offers views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Here’s a photo from the overlook! Can you see downtown Vegas way in the distance?
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
- Distance from Las Vegas (one way): Approximately 125 miles, around 2 hours
- Cost/fees: Free!
- Best time of year to visit: Anytime except summer, when temperatures are too hot for safe outdoor adventures
- Best time of day: Early morning or late afternoon – the rocks look amazing in the light!
- Recommended by: Chris Heckmann, Around the World With Me
One of the many great things about living in Las Vegas or visiting Sin City is the endless amazing day trip opportunities just a short drive from Vegas by car.
And a seriously underappreciated day trip is Red Cliffs National Conservation Area in St. George, Utah.
Red Cliffs is about 125 miles north of Vegas on I-15 (2-hour drive) and features gorgeous slot canyons, epic cliffs, and stunning red rocks. Itโs particularly known for some amazing mountain biking trails but also has some great hikes.
A trip to Red Cliffs is ideal for anyone with a sense of adventure who loves the great outdoors and wants to get away from the crowds of Red Rock Canyon, another popular day trip from Vegas. It can even be combined with a visit to the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park just up I-15 – so keep reading for instructions on extending your day trip to Zion.
Red Cliffs is free to visit and doesnโt have any gates or park entrance. The best time of year to visit is any time except peak summer, when temperatures in the desert are not ideal for outdoor recreation. A visit to Red Cliffs any other time of the year, even winter, will be a day to remember!
Las Vegas Day Trips: 2-4 Hours One Way
Willing to spend more time on the road? You’re in luck. Some of the most spectacular sights in the Southwest are two to four hours from Las Vegas (each way).
National Parks like Bryce and Zion, the intricately sculpted sandstone slot canyons of Antelope Canyon, and the awe-inspiring views from the Grand Canyon’s West Rim are more than worth it if you have time. While the drives are lengthy, the beautiful landscapes make the time go by quickly. And if you take a guided tour, you can always leave the driving to someone else!
Don’t forget to book a car rental for Las Vegas day trips.
A Day at the Grand Canyon West Rim
- Distance from Las Vegas (one way): Approximately 130 miles, around 2.5 hours
- Cost/fees: Packages start at $68 but include access to viewpoints and the Skywalk
- Best time of year to visit: Spring and fall for mild weather; Avoid the summer heat.
- Best time of day: Arrive in the morning for fewer crowds and optimal lighting for photos
- Recommended by: Melanie, The World Travel Girl
If you are up for an unforgettable day trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West Rim, then you are in for an experience. This must-see natural wonder is suitable for solo travelers, couples and families, but unfortunately pets are not allowed on the tours or to be left in your vehicle.
What sets the West Rim apart from the other sides? The unique opportunity to walk on the glass-bottomed Skywalk Bridge, offering jaw-dropping views of the canyon below, as well as being immersed in the Hualapai Indian history and culture during your visit.
I chose a bus tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West Rim as opposed to driving, because it was cheaper, stress free and more convenient.
Day Trip to Bryce Canyon National Park
- Distance from Las Vegas (one way): 260 miles and four hours
- Cost/Fees: Standard entrance pass is between $20 and $35
- Best time of year to visit: Between October and May is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon, because the weather is ideal for hiking.
- Best time of day: Early in the day
- Recommended by: Jamie of Photojeepers
One of the best day trips from Las Vegas is Bryce Canyon National Park. Youโll get to see stunning Hoodoo rock formations and wonโt have to worry about the heat since temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees (F) cooler than other nearby parks.
Itโs also an ideal destination for solo travelers, couples, and families since the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Point is perfect for travelers of all ages. Just leave dogs at home since they are only allowed on paved surfaces.
Upon arrival, enjoy sunrise at Inspiration Point. Afterward, hike the Navajo Loop to Queenโs Garden Trail and admire sweeping panoramas of the Bryce Amphitheater.
Day Trip to Zion National Park
Distance from Las Vegas (one way): Around 160 miles, or 2.5 to 3 hours drive.
Cost/Fees: $35 entry fee per vehicle, unless you have a National Parks pass
Recommended for: Families, solo travelers, and pet owners (pets allowed on some trails).
Best time of year to visit Zion National Park: Spring and fall for pleasant weather, avoiding extreme temperatures.
Best time of day to visit Zion National Park: Early morning to beat crowds.
Recommended by: Mackenzie Jervis, A Wandering Scribbler
A day trip to Zion National Park is a great way to get out of Las Vegas and see one of Americaโs most popular National Parks. This is a great trip for families or outdoor enthusiasts as the park offers a mix of activities. Families will love taking a scenic drive through the Mount Carmel Tunnel or the easier trails like The Watchman Trail.
More adventurous hikers will love the Angelโs Landing trail (just be sure to get a hiking permit well in advance of your visit).
I have visited many times during the year and winter is one of my favorites. Itโs amazing to see the red rocks against the pure white snow. However, some roads and trails might be closed in the winter for heavy snowfall.
Antelope Canyon Day Trip
Distance from Las Vegas (one way): 280 miles, 4 hours and 30 minutes
Cost/fees: Varies depending on the tour.
Best time of year: Spring or early fall
Best time of day: Late morning for the best light.
Recommended by: Candice, CS Ginger
Not many travelers know that you can tour Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas. It is quite far from Las Vegas so this long day trip is not for everyone, but if you have this picturesque spot on your bucket list, it’s well worth it in our opinion!
A day trip to Antelope Canyon is great for all types of travelers. Keep in mind that you can make the drive from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon on your own if youโd rather not travel with a tour, but you must have a tour reservation at the actual canyon site in order to see it.
For that reason, we decided to take a tour. Being driven made the experience that much more enjoyable, as we were able to enjoy the landscape. And being guided through Antelope Canyon by a Navajo tribe leader was an experience we wonโt soon forget! The canyon is beautiful and is one of the most picturesque places to visit in that region of the country.
As this list of the best day trips from Las Vegas shows, you don’t have to go far to discover amazing natural beauty, landmarks, and recreational activities perfectly suited for recharging away from the Strip. So pack your bags with plenty of water, sunscreen and a camera, and get ready to explore the distinctive desert landscape surrounding Las Vegas!
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