Although Las Vegas is known as a place where many people come to party and gamble, it offers more than casinos and bars to visitors and local residents. The desert location is a beautiful place to explore and offers many outdoor attractions with jaw-dropping views of the desert in every direction. If you want to discover more of what’s available in the city, there are a few parks and nature attractions to visit.
Grand Canyon
As the most popular and well-known nature attractions in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon welcomes 5.9 million visitors each year and is one of the natural wonders in the world. Here, you can get the chance to take a helicopter tour to get a panoramic view of the site. Many people also come to hike and camp out close to the Colorado River. Additional tours are available on a river raft, by foot, bus, or airplane.
Although hiking the Grand Canyon is a challenge, those who are less experienced in the outdoors can opt for taking a mule down to the bottom to reach the water. The water is a great place to go river rafting when you’re looking for a thrill and to stay cool in the heat. Some of the rafting trips that are available are up to 10 days long, offering an unforgettable experience to thrill-seekers.
Located 290 miles from Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon has vibrant colors of rocks and is 277 miles long, making it easy to explore many different parts of the attraction. It’s also a great place to spend several days because of the different accommodations it offers. Several restaurants, lodging, and gifts shops are available. Visitors can also choose to stay at the Phantom Ranch, which was originally constructed in 1922 and is located on the rim of the canyon.
Both kids and adults will enjoy riding the Grand Canyon Railway, which is a vintage train that travels from Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon National Park.
Even during the winter months, the Grand Canyon is worth visiting because it’s often covered in snow and is a beautiful sight. Fortunately, the canyon is open every day of the year to the public.
Lake Mead
As one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, Lake Mead is a great place to take a dip and cool off from the heat instead of spending time at the pool at one of the hotels in the city. Lake Mead is a place where you can book a sightseeing cruise and enjoy brunch or dinner on the water while taking in the picturesque views. You’ll even get a chance to spot the Hoover Dam as you tour the location.
Mount Charleston
Many people are surprised to learn they can enjoy snowboarding or skiing while spending time in Las Vegas while visiting Mount Charleston. The location is an average of 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the rest of the city and offers many hiking trails where you can spend time in a serene and tranquil setting that feels like an escape from the Strip. If you enjoy camping, you can visit one of the campgrounds available where you can stay overnight and wake up to the beautiful views of the trees and lush environment.Zion National Park
Located two-and-a-half miles from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is one of the top natural attractions in the state because of its jaw-dropping scenery. This Las Vegas park spans over 148,000 acres and has a variety of white, pink, and red rocks throughout the location. It’s a common place to find different hikers and those who enjoy bird watching because of the lush wildlife available.You can walk several miles on a single hike to take photographs of the beautiful trees and wildlife. There’s even a river present where you can take a dip in the water and cool off while exploring the setting. The Virgin River flows to the Emerald Pools where you’ll discover a hanging garden and many waterfalls.
By finding the best places to spend time outside, you can enjoy the best of Las Vegas and discover the natural beauty of the location. The multiple parks and Las Vegas attractions available makes it easy to stay busy and create new memories in different parts of the destination.
