Day Hiking/scenic trips from Vegas
Feb 20th, 2008, 01:27 PM
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Day Hiking/scenic trips from Vegas
My Husband and I are looking to get out of Vegas for a day on our upcoming trip (March 2nd-6th) and are interested in some beautiful scenery and maybe a nice hike. Friends have recommended Zion nat'l park or Valley of Fire. How far of a drive is Zion and can this be a resonable day trip for us? What about valley of fire? Any other rec's are welcome.
Feb 21st, 2008, 04:25 AM
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Hello tiname
My husband and I just returned from Vegas earlier this week. We did a couple of day trips. I highly recommend Red Rock Canyon! It is close (very) and beautiful with all different levels of hiking trails. I would go early if I were you. We also went to Mt Charleston which was only about a 45 min trip and takes you away from the desert for a change. Nelson, about 45 mins south, is an interesting "ghost" town with a mine you can tour. We knew about the town, but lucked out finding the mine tour. VERY uncommercial... And if you continue down the route beyond Nelson, it dead ends at the Colorado river with beautiful views! I wanted to go to Valley of Fire, but it is a further drive and time did not permit. Happy travels!
My husband and I just returned from Vegas earlier this week. We did a couple of day trips. I highly recommend Red Rock Canyon! It is close (very) and beautiful with all different levels of hiking trails. I would go early if I were you. We also went to Mt Charleston which was only about a 45 min trip and takes you away from the desert for a change. Nelson, about 45 mins south, is an interesting "ghost" town with a mine you can tour. We knew about the town, but lucked out finding the mine tour. VERY uncommercial... And if you continue down the route beyond Nelson, it dead ends at the Colorado river with beautiful views! I wanted to go to Valley of Fire, but it is a further drive and time did not permit. Happy travels!
Feb 21st, 2008, 04:33 AM
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Zion NP is probably going to still have some snow. The beginning of March the Death Valley National Park is an ideal destination www.nps.gov/deva
It is 120 miles and 2 1/2 hours easy drive from Las Vegas. Death Valley has endless hiking trails, fascinating geology, lots of history and unique scenery. You can chose one longer hike or a number of short trails, many are easily accessible. Wildflowers should be blooming and pupfish is still swimming before they start hibernating in the mud until next spring. Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area is on the way to Death Valley if you take route from Las Vegas I-15 South to exit 33 and from there route 160 towards Pahrump, NV. Unfortunately I always find Red Rock Canyon NRA too crowded for enjoyable hiking.
It is 120 miles and 2 1/2 hours easy drive from Las Vegas. Death Valley has endless hiking trails, fascinating geology, lots of history and unique scenery. You can chose one longer hike or a number of short trails, many are easily accessible. Wildflowers should be blooming and pupfish is still swimming before they start hibernating in the mud until next spring. Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area is on the way to Death Valley if you take route from Las Vegas I-15 South to exit 33 and from there route 160 towards Pahrump, NV. Unfortunately I always find Red Rock Canyon NRA too crowded for enjoyable hiking.
Feb 21st, 2008, 04:58 PM
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Red Rock Canyon!! The Childrens discovery trail (why they call it this I do not know) is a good hike to a waterfall that may or may not be partially frozen. Several short hikes or longer hikes. Take a picnic lunch. Red Rock is less than an hour from Vegas. If you visit Zion, you should make 2 or 3 days of it to do it right.
Feb 21st, 2008, 05:04 PM
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I've been to Red Rock and Valley of Fire and really liked Valley of Fire better. I thought there was an amazing variety of scenery in one area. At Valley of Fire, there are hikes that pass arches, petroglyph panels and even through a slot canyon.
If I remember correctly, it's about an hour drive from LV to VofF. Red Rock is closer, but I didn't think it was as scenic.
If I remember correctly, it's about an hour drive from LV to VofF. Red Rock is closer, but I didn't think it was as scenic.
Feb 21st, 2008, 05:40 PM
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Valley of Fire is closer and highly recommended. Zion may be done, but you will not see it all by any means. I have done both that time of year (on separate days). Hiking may be limited in Zion due to muddy trails or possibly snow, but you will have beautiful scenery nonetheless. Death Valley in my opinion deserves more time and involves a lot more driving between features. I think it deserves more than a day trip.
