Best Places To Visit Near Las Vegas By Car - Day Trips From Las Vegas + Campgrounds

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Las Vegas is known as the city of sin. The city of entertainment and glamour has many attractions, luxury casino resorts, vibrant nightlife, and many places to visit near nature trips. So let’s check out some sightseeing from Las Vegas or places to visit near Las Vegas by car – day trips from Las Vegas. They are all short day trips from Las Vegas and unique excursions.

You can stay in Las Vegas city and do all these road trips by car.
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Let’s check out some short day trips from Las Vegas or exciting excursions from Las Vegas by car. Read places to visit near Las Vegas by car – road trips from Las Vegas.

Looking to book a rental car. Then click here to book your car from Las Vegas Airport.

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Places To Visit Near Las Vegas By Car – Day Trips From Las Vegas

RED ROCK CANYON

Red Rock Canyon, which spans more than 195,000 acres, is Nevada’s first National Conservation Area and is one of the most scenic places in southern Nevada is as popular with visitors as it is with locals. So let’s read about Red Rock Canyon – one of the best day trips from Las Vegas.

Distance from Las Vegas: – 23 miles – a 23-minute drive. If you are not driving, then click here book Red Rock Canyon Scooter tours.

Things to do at Red Rock Canyon Park, Las Vegas

Take a 13 miles scenic drive throughout the park along the scenic loop.
Explore Calico Basin and Red Springs Picnic Area
Go for Calico Tanks Trail, the most beautiful trail here.
Hike to Calico Hills for stunning views from the top.
Explore Lost Creek – the stunning waterfall of the Red Rock region.
Do not miss to spot Petroglyph Wall, which displays ancient rock art throughout the entire park and is the unique part of this park.
Vehicle Entry fees – 15$ per car or truck and 5$ per bike

Red Rock Canyon’s opening hours – 6 A.M. to 7 P.M.

How to reach? | Logistics

Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, is the closest airport to the Red Rock Canyon. Many travelers rent a car in Vegas City or Vegas airport and drive to the conservation area.

ALSO READ: Perfect Road Trip To Yosemite From Los Angeles With Scenic Stopovers

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations

There is a restaurant, bar, motel, horseback riding, and petting zoo in Bonnie Springs/Old Nevada, which is 5.5 miles southeast of the entrance to Red Rock Canyon, along State Route 159.
Restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, banks, postal pro, and grocery stores are located at the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive, 4.5 miles northeast of the entrance to Red Rock Canyon on State Route 159/Charleston.
You can find many restaurants, supermarkets, stores, gas stations, etc., further east along Charleston Boulevard.

Where to Camp? – Campground Information

There is one campground in Red Canyon Park – Red Rock Canyon Campground, 2 miles from the visitor center. It has not many facilities. The campground is one mile south on Moenkopi Road from the junction with W. Charleston Blvd. Its physical address is 3293 Moenkopi Road, Las Vegas, NV 89161. The per night stay for R.V.’s is 20$.

Also, to enhance your escapade in Vegas, explore options such as Mystere Las Vegas discount tickets, injecting an element of mystery and enchantment into your adventure.

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VALLEY OF FIRE

Check Availability of hotels at Valley of Fire State Park

Distance from Las Vegas

– 46 min (45.7 mi) via I-15 N and Valley of Fire Hwy

Things To Do

Arched Rock
Beehives
Balanced Rock
Atlatl Rock
Clark memorial
Elephant Rock
Fire Canyon – Silica Dome
Mouse Tank
Petrified Logs
Rainbow Vista
Seven Sisters
The Cabins
White Domes

How to reach? | Logistics

The closest airport is Las Vegas International Airport. You can rent a car at the airport or from the city too. Take I-15 North from Las Vegas for approximately 30 miles, then turn onto the Valley of Fire scenic byway for 15 miles. Enter the Valley of Fire from the northwest entrance near the Fire Wave. Also, you can take a drive across the scenic loop inside the park. You can also book a Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas.

There is an entrance per vehicle at Valley of Fire State Park. You can pay fees at the fee booth or self-pay stations.

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations

The Moapa Paiute travel center when you turn off I-15 to Valley of Fire. There you can get gas, snacks, and drinks.

Where to Camp? – Campground Information

There are only two campgrounds with a capacity of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available.
R.V. Camping is also available with water and power hook-ups with an extra surcharge. There are some dedicated picnic areas and group areas on the site.

Click here to book Deluxe Helicopter tour from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.

HOOVER DAM

Check Availability of hotels at Hoover Dam

Stunning California Road Trip Itinerary 21 – 25 days — On Hoover Dam

Distance from Las Vegas

– 39 min (37.1 mi) via I-515 S and I-11 S

Things To Do

Kayak the Hoover Dam
Schedule a Power Plant Tour
Take a Guided Dam Tour
Check out Lake Mead
Cross the Memorial Bridge
Boulder City tour
Winged Finger of the Republic Statues

How to reach? | Logistics

Book guided tour to Hoover Dam & Grand Canyon West Rim Tour with an optional skywalk.
You can make the Hoover Dam Day trip from Las Vegas in two ways. You can do it directly from Las Vegas with West Rim Canyon afterward.
Or you can do Grand Canyon West Rim first, and then while returning, you can take a small exit to Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon West Rim lie in the same direction, so you can do both on the same trip.
Take the I-215 east towards the airport, then connect to the I-11 and U.S. 95 south, which will take you right to U.S. 93, which leads into Boulder City. From Boulder City, you can spot signboards of Hoover dam. Follow them, and you are on it.
While returning from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, you can spot Lake Mead city in between. From there, you need to follow road signs to Hoover Dam.

There is a vast parking slot on the Nevada and Arizona sides of the dam. As this dam lies at Stateline on the border of Arizona and Nevada, you can also see the time difference between the two states at one place on Hoover Dam.

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations

There are many gas stations, snacks, drinks, small cafeterias, and restaurants in Boulder City nearby.

Where to Camp? – Campground Information

The Closest Campground to the Hoover Dam is Boulder Beach. Boulder Beach is located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It is only six miles from Hoover Dam.

LAKE MEAD

Check availability of hotels at Lake Mead

Lake Mead, located in Arizona and Nevada, is home to Hoover Dam, and so it is one of the most famous attractions in Nevada and the USA.

Lake Mead has been ranked as one of the top freshwater lakes in the U.S. for scuba diving.

Distance from Las Vegas

– 37 min (31.8 mi) via I-515 S

Things To Do

Lake Mead Cruise
The Northshore Drive
Hoover Dam. Click here to book ATV TOUR OF Lake Mead and Colorado river.
Redstone Hiking Trail
River Mountains Loop Bike Trail
Historic Railroad Trail

How to reach? | Logistics

The closest International airport to reach here is Las Vegas International Airport. So rent a car from Las Vegas airport and drive down to this location.

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations

Lake Mead is located in Boulder City, so you can refuel your vehicle in this city. Also, there are many lake-facing restaurants and cruises offering snacks.

Where to Camp? – Campground Information

With over 900 camping and R.V. sites at 15 locations, various desert and lakeside landscapes will surely please everyone. Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s campgrounds offer restrooms, running water, dump stations, grills, picnic tables, and shade. RVs, trailers, and tents are welcome.
Some famous ones are Lake Mead RV Village, Boulder Beach Campground, etc.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – WEST RIM

Check availability of Hotels at Grand Canyon West Rim

Distance from Las Vegas – 2 hours and a 13-minute drive

Grand Canyon is located in the northwest corner of Arizona, adjoining the borders of Utah and Nevada. Therefore you can reach Grand Canyon Park – western Rim from Las Vegas, Nevada, which is at 2 hr 10 min (125.5 m)

Click here to book Grand Canyon West Rim Tour with a stop at Hoover Dam.
Or you can book a long trip to Grand Canyon south rim from Las Vegas too with lunch and snacks.

Things To Do

Grand Canyon Skywalk – Extra entrance cost
Eagle Point.
Grand Canyon Jeep Tours.
Guano Point.
The Zip Line at Grand Canyon West. At present, it is closed due to repairing work.
Hualapai Village & Hualapai River Runners.
Helicopter and Aerial View Tours.
Trip to Hoover Dam
Admission Ticket to Grand Canyon West, including access to the viewpoints of Eagle Point & Guano Point and transportation on our hop-on/hop-off shuttle service. With 26$ extra, you can add SkyWalk tickets too.
There is Free parking for your vehicle, and a hop-on, hop-off shuttle service will take you from point to point.
Grand Canyon West is an enterprise of the Hualapai Nation and is not affiliated with Grand Canyon National Park. Therefore National Park annual pass would not work here, and you need to buy separate entrance tickets.

How to reach? | Logistics

The nearest major airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is 2½-hour away from the park by road. You can reach this by Phoenix or Flagstaff, which takes you to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations

Better to fill your gas tank when you leave the airport or your hotel in Las Vegas. There is a Gas Station in Dolan Springs on Pearce Ferry Road and a Chevron Station on Pearce Ferry Road. You can also purchase gas at Grand Canyon West if urgent.

Only one Grand Canyon West Rim access restaurant serves cold drinks, dry snacks, ice creams, and souvenirs. Better to pack your food and take lots of fluids as this area is bold, dry, and a desert.

Where to Camp? – Campground Information

Grand Canyon West Rim is mainly done as a day trip from Las Vegas by tourists, and therefore, hotels and lodgings are very few here. The only place to stay overnight in the park is Hualapai Ranch, run by the Hualapai and Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, about 90 minutes from the West Rim. Another option is Grand Canyon Western Ranch Resort. You can park your R.V. minutes away from the world-famous Skywalk for $22 a night.

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Check here for availability to stay at Death Valley National Park North East Entrance. Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth. You must have spotted the Death Valley National Park in many movie backdrops because of its rough, adventure-friendly, and picturesque desert landscape.

Distance from Las Vegas – 2 hr 17 min (131.0 mi) via NV-160 W and CA-190 W.

Click here to book a full-day, small-group tour to Death Valley NP from Las Vegas.

CAUTION – LOOKOUT FOR WEATHER WARNINGS IN SUMMER AS IT IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST PLACES ON EARTH – CLOSE YOUR AC IN SUMMER IF THE CAR IS TOO HOT.

Things To Do

The most scenic route is from Lone Pine to Furnace Creek

This route will include Devil’s Golf Course, Artists Drive, and Badwater Basin but misses Zabriskie Point, 20 Mule Team Canyon, and Dantes View, which may be the crown jewel of Death Valley scenery.

STOPOVERS IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Zabriskie Point
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Badwater Basin
Dante’s View
Devil’s Golf Course
Ubehebe Crater

How to reach? | Logistics

The nearest major airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is 2½-hour away from the park by road.

The other closest airport is Los Angeles International Airport which takes around 3 to 4 hours.

From both airports, you can rent a car and drive down here.

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations

Death Valley has the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resorts, with several restaurants, a gas station, a general store, a gift shop, a post office, a museum, golf, tennis, and horses (seasonal). The National Park visitor center is next to the Ranch.

Where to Camp/Stay? – Campground Information

Due to its central location, you can stay at The Oasis at Death Valley Resort. Here are two hotels, two campgrounds, a few places to eat, and a small store.

You can also stay at Inn at Death Valley (Furnace Creek Inn), The Ranch at Death Valley, or Stovepipe Wells Village Lodging.

Panamint Springs Lodging has camping and R.V. options too.

You can camp at Furnace Creek, with many options. R.V. Camping needs to have prior reservations.

Death Valley has an entrance fee at self-paid stations at the entrance and exit.

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SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS – Day Trips From Las Vegas

Seven Magic Mountains marks Nevada’s identity in the field of art. It celebrates and supports the work of exciting artists and draws attention to Las Vegas as it evolves into a city also known for the arts

Distance from Las Vegas – 35-minute drive – 33 min (26.5 mi) via I-15 S and Las Vegas Blvd S

Things To Do

7 Magic Mountains which are rainbow-colored, is an Instagrammable spot, and that is the only spot to take amazing pictures.
There are some go-karting car zones nearby which you can always go for if you love adventure, speed, and thrill.

How to reach? | Logistics

Nearest International Airport in Las Vegas. From Las Vegas Strip, drive through I-15 south and take the exit on Sloan Road. Then take a left and a right on Las Vegas Blvd., going south until you reach the destination.
Click here to book the Seven Magic Mountains tour with Hoover Dam.

Access to Restaurants, bars, and nearby Gas-stations –

It is better to have fuelled up from Las Vegas as this site is an art installation in between the Mojave desert

Where to Camp? – Campground Information

You can book your stay in Las Vegas or search for some campsites nearby. You can spot some desert camping and R.V. hook-up spots a few miles away. These seven magic mountains are an artificial art installation on private premises; Camping and RVs at this spot are not allowed.

Useful Things to know before planning | Day Trips From Las Vegas | Las Vegas Excursions

All these places experience extreme climates during summer. So be careful in planning your trip.
Always check weather conditions before you leave.
Some places are located in the middle of the desert, so better to fill your tank and carry lots of drinking fluids and snacks when you start from your hotel or home.
Carry lots of sun-tan creams, hats, goggles, etc., to keep protected in heat.
Book your slots before peak season if you are camping or taking your R.V.’s.
Check closing times of these attractions on their official websites, as they vary from season to season.
You can also cover some of them by private Helicopter tours.
To reach here, you either need private tours or self-drive. Public transport doesn’t take you to these places. Click here to book an affordable rent-a-car option in Las Vegas.
Many of these places showcase Native Americans’ history and how they live. So it is suitable for history and culture lovers too.
Many of these places are lovely for sunset views and stargazing.

I hope you loved reading about places to visit near Las Vegas by car – day trips from Las Vegas. Let me know your favorite sightseeing from Las Vegas, and would you love these things to do outside Las Vegas, which are natural wonders of the USA.

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Best Places To Visit Near Las Vegas By Car – Day Trips From Las Vegas + Campgrounds