As my horse nears the top of Red Rock Canyon’s Fossil Ridge, I spot two red-tailed hawks soaring high above in the hot desert sky. I watch, mesmerized, as one dives deep into the canyon.

From that high vantage point near the canyon’s rim, the Red Rock National Conservation Area spreads out before me in a visual feast—colourful pink, white and red rocks twisting up an escarpment accented by hundreds of barrel and cholla cacti, yucca and Joshua trees. In the distance, I can just make out the outline of a small herd of wild burros.

It feels like we’re in the Wild West, even though we’re just a half hour’s drive from downtown Las Vegas. 

If you put any stock in the tourism slogans, Sin City is a place with many secrets. Perhaps the biggest secret of them all is the multitude of adventures lying just beyond the city’s edge. There are six national parks, two national recreation areas, 13 state parks and millions of acres of state forest, all within a 322-kilometre radius of the city. These sites are a sure bet (and that’s rare around these parts) if you want to spend some time outdoors, day-tripping off the strip.

Illustration by Anne Smith.

Nevada Ghost Towns

Of Nevada’s 300 ghost towns,  Rhyolite is one of the most famous. Two hours northwest of Las Vegas, the town had a population of close to 5,000 at its peak during the gold rush in 1908. Today, be sure to visit Tom Kelly’s Bottle House and the old jail.

Death Valley

Less than three hours northwest of Vegas, Death Valley National Park is chock-full of sand dunes, ancient Joshua trees, cacti, valleys and mountains that provide stunning backdrops for desert sunsets. The park is also home to the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 86 m below sea level. (760-786-3200)

Pahrump Valley Winery

The small city of Pahrump is home to Nevada’s first winery. Located about an hour’s drive west of Las Vegas, the winery has received more than 260 national wine awards since entering competitions in 2004. (775-751-7500)

Red Rock Canyon

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sits 30 minutes west of Las Vegas. The solitude and beauty of the colourful canyon can be enjoyed on a scenic stroll along the conservation area’s 93 km of trails. Watch for wild burros, jackrabbits, Joshua trees, desert shrubs and a variety of cacti. (702-515-5350)

Hoover Dam

This civil-engineering wonder lies just 50 minutes southeast of Las Vegas. With 17 turbines, the dam produces four billion kilowatts of electricity each year, and is one of the country’s largest hydroelectric power facilities. Also check out the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, the longest and highest concrete arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. (702-494-2517)

Grand Canyon

Lies five hours from Vegas, two billion years of history is on display in the Grand Canyon—a geologist’s dream and one of Earth’s natural wonders. The canyon itself is 433 km long, up to 16 km wide and more than 1.6 km at its deepest point. (928-638-7888)