11 Amazing State and National Parks Near Las Vegas, Nevada

Billing itself as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, Las Vegas certainly has a reputation. Its round-the-clock gambling and kitschy landmarks are known around the world.

However, those who aren’t interested in extravagance and debauchery, wasting money in casinos or partying all night long will still find plenty of fun things to do around Las Vegas. This includes amazing outdoor adventures in nearby state and national parks, from rock climbing and boating to camping and hiking.

Las Vegas State & National Parks

In fact, it’s actually one of America’s best places to visit (and live) if you’re into hiking and rock climbing. It’s an overlooked fact, but the numerous state and national parks near Las Vegas make it a dream destination for lovers of the outdoors.

Situated in the southern tip of Nevada, squeezed between California, Utah and Arizona, this is one of America’s most beautiful regions.

Home to spectacular nature, from endless deserts to massive canyons, red rock formations and mountain ranges, Las Vegas offers super-easy access to the best of the West.

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11 Best State and National Parks Near Las Vegas, Nevada

While there are several of the greatest U.S. national parks near Las Vegas, you’ll notice that the nearest Las Vegas parks are state parks, conservation areas and other National Park Service (NPS) sites—not technically national parks.

However, they, too, are magnificent and make for a quick escape from the craziness of Vegas if you don’t have that much time.

If you do have a couple of days, I really encourage you to drive over to one of the national parks around Las Vegas. They include some of the top parks in America.

Even more so, I actually recommend using Las Vegas as a base to visit some of the top U.S. national parks instead of visiting the city for its nightlife. It makes, for example, for a fantastic starting point for a Southern California desert road trip or a Mighty 5 national parks road trip in Utah.

Skip the artificial entertainment and enjoy some of Mother Nature’s best creations!

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

20 miles / 30 minutes

Why go? The nearest of all Las Vegas nature parks, Red Rock Canyon is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and offers a superb escape from the bustling city center.

A quick drive brings you to collections of huge rock formations, sandstone hills and cliffs—awesome nature near Las Vegas.

It’s a hotspot for bouldering and rock climbing. Just ask Alex Honnold! You might actually even run into him in this fine park just outside of Vegas. The world-class climber lives in Vegas just because its proximity to epic landscapes like this.

Don’t miss! The 13-mile one-way loop road takes you to many of the park’s main sights.

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Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Nevada

20 miles / 30 minutes

Why go? Located just north of Las Vegas, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument protects an important collection of Ice Age fossils.

According to the National Park Service, it contains “the single largest and most diverse open-site assemblage of vertebrate fossils from the end of the Pleistocene Epoch in the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin.”

A great day trip from Las Vegas, this national monument is where the fossilized remains of many iconic Ice Age mammals were found, from Columbian mammoths, camels and bison to ground sloths and giant American lions.

This is also the site where scientists used radiocarbon dating for the first time ever in the United States.

Don’t miss! You can hike near the so-called “Big Dig” in the southern part of Tule Springs Fossil Beds. These long trenches excavated in 1962 contain a rich collection of large animal fossils.

You might even stumble upon a fossil yourself while walking around—just remember that you’re not allowed to move it!

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Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

30 miles / 40 minutes

Why go? A man-made lake created by the huge Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is America’s most diverse national recreation area, according to the National Park Service. It’s the largest freshwater reservoir in the county, extending from Nevada into Arizona.

The area encompasses two enormous lakes, but also mountains, canyons and valleys. There are no fewer than nine wilderness areas, too.

There’s a wide variety of fun things to do at Lake Mead, but not surprisingly the most popular activity is boating. Other water-related activities include fishing, swimming, water skiing, canoeing and even scuba diving.

Don’t miss! Visit the famous Hoover Dam and spend the rest of the day cruising across Lake Mead on a boat.

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Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

50 miles / 1 hour

Why go? Many a photographer relishes the opportunity to visit Valley of Fire State Park, an hour northeast of the city. Although this is one of the smaller parks near Las Vegas, it’s absolutely wonderful.

The park gets its name from the bright red Aztec sandstone formations, which are its centerpiece attraction. At sunrise and sunset, the rocks seem to glow as if they were on fire.

Various hiking trails meander through this glorious landscape, offering some of the best hiking near Las Vegas. Additionally, a number of campsites provides the chance to spend the night. The night sky is breathtaking!

Don’t miss! Photographing the road snaking through red rock scenery is arguably the top thing to do in this excellent destination, one of the best state parks near Las Vegas. Instagram selfie ops are superb here.

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Mojave National Preserve, California

60 miles / 1 hour

Why go? Worthy of its own national park designation, Mojave National Preserve has basically everything nearby Joshua Tree and Death Valley also have.

There are Joshua tree forests, abundant spring wildflowers, sand dunes and even cinder cone volcanoes. Canyons, mesas and mountains make up a landscape that’s as “Wild West” as they come, especially when considering that abandoned mines, homesteads and old military outposts dot the area, too.

This underrated park is one of the greatest National Park Service sites near Las Vegas. It’s quiet and peaceful, stunning and unique.

Don’t miss! If you’re looking for quiet desert campgrounds near Las Vegas, few places are better than Mojave National Preserve. The night sky is nothing short of epic, while attractions like the Lava Tube and Kelso Dunes are super-fun to explore.

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Death Valley National Park, California

125 miles / 2 hours

Why go? So many reasons! First of all, Death Valley National Park is the closest national park to Las Vegas. The largest national park in the contiguous U.S., it holds various records. Death Valley is home to the lowest point in North America and is the driest and hottest place on the continent.

While the park’s name might make you think that there’s only scorching hot desert plains here, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Death Valley is exceptionally diverse. Home to huge sand dunes, multi-colored badlands, snow-capped mountains, hidden canyons and even a couple of (seasonal) waterfalls, it’s one of the absolute top destinations near Las Vegas.

Don’t miss! Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America and one of the top attractions in Death Valley.

Other highlights include the views from Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View, sunrise hikes in the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Artist’s Drive.

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Zion National Park, Utah

160 miles / 2.5 hours

Why go? One of the most visited U.S. national parks, Utah’s Zion National Park is absolutely beautiful.

The centerpiece of this magnificent national park near Las Vegas is Zion Canyon. Carved by the Virgin River, the canyon is flanked by towering white, yellow and orange cliffs, while woodland lines the shores.

Zion offers world-class hiking and rock climbing, but you can also explore the park leisurely with the Zion Canyon Shuttle (in the busy season).

Don’t miss! There are plenty of things to see and do in Zion National Park. Hiking is definitely one of the greatest things to do here, while many visitors also simply enjoy the many scenic views in Zion National Park.

The best hikes in Zion National Park include Angels Landing and Observation Point, the Emerald Pools and the Narrows.

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Joshua Tree National Park, California

215 miles / 3.5 hours

Why go? Joshua Tree National Park lies deep in the Southern California deserts—the Colorado and Mojave Deserts to be precise.

While the park’s namesake Joshua trees are the main and most famous attraction, there are also lots of other desert environments to explore here. Additionally, there are a few abandoned homesteads and goldmines as well.

Joshua Tree National Park is probably my favorite national park for camping. Numerous campgrounds, many of which first-come first-served, dot the park, offering visitors the chance to pitch their tent amid the characteristic boulders and Joshua trees.

Don’t miss! The sunset at Keys View is spectacular, while Hidden Valley and Barker Dam make for fun little hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. Some of the best day desert hikes near Las Vegas, in my opinion.

The Cholla Cactus Garden brings you up and close to an expanse of prickly cacti. For a spectacular display of wildflowers, I recommend visiting this park in early-spring.

My personal favorite campground is Jumbo Rocks.

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

260 miles / 4 hours

Why go? Bryce Canyon National Park lies east of Zion National Park, two parks that are often combined in one (multi-day) trip. This is definitely one of the most remarkable national parks near Las Vegas. Here, an otherworldly landscape awaits you.

Thousands of rock spires—known as hoodoos—walls, cliffs and other formations fill a gorgeous orange-colored natural amphitheater.

Various overlooks line the rim, offering slightly different views and making for great sunrise and sunset spots.

Don’t miss! You can hike down into Bryce Canyon on a variety of trails to explore the maze of rock formations from up-close. It highly recommend doing that.

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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

275 miles / 4.5 hours

Why go? Arguably the most famous natural attraction in the U.S., the Grand Canyon is visited by more than six million people each year. Las Vegas happens to be one of the best starting points for trips to this mind-boggling park.

I don’t really need to explain why you should go to Grand Canyon National Park. It’s probably on your travel wish list already! Still, let me just say that, no matter how many photos you’ve seen, the place will still blow you away.

One of the Wonders of the World, it’s one of the most impressive sights I’ve ever seen in my life. This is without question one of the best destinations for a Las Vegas national parks road trip.

Don’t miss! There are plenty of things to do at the Grand Canyon, but I implore you to go beyond the sprawling tourist area in Grand Canyon Village to enjoy the breathtaking views in (relative) peace and quiet.

I recommend walking the entire Rim Trail and taking the shuttle bus back. And for a true Grand Canyon experience, I can’t imagine a better thing to do than walking down the Bright Angel Trail and back up. You’ll need two days for those two hikes and the best time to do it is spring.

Additionally, watching the sunrise or sunset over the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Great Basin National Park, Nevada

300 miles / 4.5 hours

Why go? Nevada’s only national park is one of the furthest national parks from Las Vegas that’s still suitable for short road trip.

Its namesake, the Great Basin is one of the largest watersheds in North America, extending from Oregon to southern California and into Utah and even western Wyoming. This less-known national park lies in the heart of this vast region.

It’s an exceptionally diverse place, including 13,000-foot-high Wheeler Peak and rolling hills covered with sagebrush. There are caves and bristlecone pine forests, lakes and valleys.

Don’t miss! An official International Dark Sky Park, remote Great Basin National Park boasts one of the last true dark skies in the United States. Spending a night at a campground, gazing up at the Milky Way, is a top thing to do here.

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Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Visiting one or more of these national parks close to Las Vegas will be the highlight of your trip, I promise you that. However, you’ll probably also want to spend some time exploring the city itself.

Here are a few suggested places to stay in Las Vegas before and after your national parks road trip from Las Vegas.

• The Venetian Resort – 5 Stars
• The Palazzo – 5 Stars
• Mandalay Bay – 4 Stars
• Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino – 4 Stars
• Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino – 4 Stars
• MGM Grand – 4 Stars
• Desert Paradise Resort – 3 Stars

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