Scenic Getaways: The Natural Wonders of Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS—Travelers drawn to the lights and excitement of Las Vegas are surrounded by the wonders of Mother Nature when they venture away from the city. The extremes of giant mountains and desert valleys provide an escape into the primeval world of nature where some of the oldest trees on earth have survived atop Nevada mountains and cactus slowly grow into rulers of the desert.

In a region where the climate is conducive to outdoor activities nearly year-round, Las Vegas offers a wealth of opportunities outside the resort corridor.

Natural Attractions

MT. CHARLESTON—35 miles (56 km) from Las Vegas’ highest elevation 11,918 feet (3,615 meters). Temperatures average 20-30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas. Winter skiing, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, tours available. For information, call 873-8800.

DEATH VALLEY—135 miles (216 km) from Las Vegas, 40 minutes by plane, lowest elevation on the North American continent at 280 feet below sea level (84.93 meters). Zabriskie Point, 20 Mule Team Canyon, Scotty’s Castle; tours available.

GRAND CANYON—300 miles (480 km)from Las Vegas, one-hour flight by plane. Over millions of years, the Colorado River carved this natural wonder that is one mile deep and 277 miles long. Sightseeing air tours depart Las Vegas daily for half-day, full-day and overnight excursions.

RED ROCK CANYON—15 miles (24 km) west of Las Vegas’ 3000-foot (910 meters) escarpment produced by thrust fault. Bureau of Land Management visitor’s center, scenic area of rock formations and desert, home to feral horses, wild burros, bighorn sheep and coyotes. Open to the public year-round.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK—55 miles (99 km) from Las Vegas. Scenic landscapes of hidden canyons and unique red rock formations, petroglyphs and remains of ancient American Indian civilizations, Nevada Park Service visitors center, tours available. Open to the public year-round.

BRYCE CANYON—210 miles (338 km) northeast of Las Vegas in southwestern Utah. Bryce Canyon offers an outdoor exhibition of unique rock formations with imaginative names like Pink Cliffs, Silent City and Cathedral. Open year-round.

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE—60 miles (97 km) southwest of Las Vegas, this 1.6 million-acre preserve protects one of the most diverse environments in the world. It is profuse with sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests and mile-high mountains. Preserve visitor centers are in Baker and Needles, California. Open year-round.

ZION CANYON—158 miles (254 km) north of Las Vegas, across the Utah border. Colorful sandstone canyons, hot rocky deserts and cool forested plateaus are all part of Zion National Park. Zion Canyon is the largest and most visited canyon in the park. Here, the Virgin River has carved a spectacular forge into the red and white sandstone. The floor of the canyon is covered with trees, grasses and the river. The canyon walls loom high above; in most places they are 2,000 to 3,000 feet high.

Destinations

BOULDER CITY—30 miles (48 km) from the Las Vegas Strip en route to Lake Mead. Built in the 1930s for the families of Hoover Dam construction workers; quaint shops, native American jewelers; site of the historic Boulder Dam Hotel; the only town in Nevada that does not allow gaming.

RHYOLITE—Well preserved ghost town 120 miles (193 km) north of Las Vegas. Ruins of the Potter General Store, Newton’s Grille, a school, several major banks, a bottle house and railroad depot. Located near the small community of Beatty, Nevada, which bills itself as the “Gateway to Death Valley.”

BONNIE SPRINGS RANCH/OLD NEVADA—20 miles (32 km) west of Las Vegas near Red Rock Canyon. Bonnie Springs Ranch was built in the 1840s as a cattle ranch and watering hole; adjacent is the re-creation of an Old West town complete with gunfights, horseback riding, children ’s petting zoo and mini-train rides. Open to the public year-round.

HOOVER DAM—35 miles (56 km) southeast of Las Vegas. This engineering wonder of the world tamed the mighty Colorado River and created Lake Mead. Construction of the 726-foot-high arch-gravity dam that is 660 feet thick at its base forever changed the face of the western United States. On-site tours of the dam available to the public year-round.  For more information see Hoover Dam Calmed the Colorado River

LAKE MEAD RECREATIONAL AREA—25 miles (40 km) from Las Vegas at its closest point. More than 550 miles (880 km) of shoreline. Swimming, water skiing, camping, boating, fishing, marinas, tours and cruises. Open year-round.

SPRING MOUNTAIN STATE PARK—30 miles (48 km) west of Las Vegas.This historical ranch was a stop over for travelers on the Mormon and Spanish trails. It was once owned by industrialist Howard Hughes, radio personalities Lum and Abner and German munitions heiress Vera Krupp. Site of seasonal outdoor theater. Open year-round.

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