Scenic Hiking Experiences In Las Vegas

Scenic Hiking Experiences In Las Vegas

 

Are you looking to take the family on a scenic experience in Las Vegas, but don’t know good hiking trails that will be fun for all? We have you covered! Right in Vegas’ backyard are some of the most beautiful and picturesque sights to experience with an outdoor aspect for everyone.

Las Vegas has several different places for families to go, one of the most popular being Red Rock Canyon. People go to see the infamous “red rocks” and to hike or take an evening drive around the scenic loop. Another gorgeous experience is Mount Charleston is, especially for those visiting Vegas in the winter months. The snow and winter activities that can be done on the mountain are unbelievable. Lastly The Valley of Fire is worth the drive as it is full of rich and beautiful history.

 

Red Rock:

Red Rock Canyon has 13 miles of a beautiful scenic drive to admire the amazing canyons and peaks. A Visitor Center is located just past the entrance for guest’s convenience. It includes indoor and outdoor exhibits, plants throughout the canyon, wildlife to expect, and desert tortoise habitats. You can also bike, climb, and horseback ride as well. The daily entrance fee for a car/truck is $15 per vehicle. All entrance fees go towards upkeep to the canyon.

Easy/Moderate – Calico Tanks Trail

This 2.2 mile out and back trail offers wild flowers, beautiful views of red rock and a chance for some boulder scrabbles. It is well marked on the way to tank and the scenery is perfect in the morning hours. This trail offers limited to no shade so be careful in the summer months.

Hard/Difficult – Turtlehead Peak Trail

This 4.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail, beautiful views of Red Rock Canyon, and the Las Vegas Strip can be seen from a –top of Turtle Head. This trail has pretty steep inclines, & rock crawls. The trail is well marketed but it is easy to veer off the main trail at times if you do not pay close attention.

https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/lasvegas/hikes-trails/

 

Mount Charleston:

Spreading over 90 acres, the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway offers a Visitor Center, Education Building, group picnic areas, two amphitheaters, trailheads, and expansive areas with benches to take in the views of Kyle Canyon and Charleston Peak. The Seven Stones Plaza at the Gateway honors the 7 Paiute tribes who consider this a sacred Nuwuvi creation place. Also found at the Gateway is the Silent Heroes of the Cold War Memorial, the nation’s first national Cold War memorial.

From a cool escape in the summer to a snowy wonderland in the winter, the Spring Mountains offer a distinct change in seasons not normally found in the Mojave Desert. Fall colors and spring wildflowers delight hikers who visit during these quiet seasons. You can also horseback ride, climb, off road drive, bike, and experience the gorgeous scenic drive.

Moderate – Mary Jane Falls Trail

This 2.9 out and back trail is a moderate uphill hike with a ton of switchbacks, but the ending is beautiful with a waterfall (season permitting). The trail is very visible and busy. There are many places to stop and rest if needed. One of the busiest trails in Mount Charleston so go early and bring lots of water.

Moderate/Hard – Cathedral Rock HikingTrail

This 2.7 out and back trail is located near Mount Charleston Lodge. It is best used from May until November and closed in the winter months due to snow. The travel offers thick patches of aspens and evergreen, views of The Cliffs with a drop off of 1,000 feet. Once you reach the  top, at 8,000 feet above sea level,  mind your snacks as the Palmer Chipmunks enjoy the views also. Please resist feeding them, by feeding them they will become dependent on humans for their food.

–Spring Mountain National Recreation Area – Off Rt. 160

Moderate – Hollow Rock Peak

This 5.4 mile out and back lightly traveled trail and is best used from September until May. The trail offers some up and downs and class 3 scrabbling to the summit. The trail gets a little hard to follow near the sandstone portion

Hard – Hidden Arches HikingTrail

This 6.6 mile out and back lightly traveled trail is recommended for only well experienced adventures. The trail is used by rock climbers and hikers in the area. There is a hidden arch, hence the name. It will appear behind you once the trail seems to end.

https://www.gomtcharleston.com/

 

Valley of Fire State Park:

40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire State Park contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. A Visitor Center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory and history of the park and nearby region. You can also take a drive around the state park with their scenic drive to see all of the beautiful views. Day use entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.

Easy – Fire Wave Hiking Trail

This 1.5 heavily trafficked out and back trail and offers sandstone formations that resembles ice cream swirls and or ocean waves of pink, white and red sandstone. The trail starts off sandy and transitions into sandstone. There is no shade on this trail so bring plenty of water and avoid hiking in extreme heat.

Moderate/Hard – Prospect Hiking Trail

This 8.8 out and back trail offers spectacular views of Valley of Fire, wildflowers and wild life. Some areas of the trail are not well marked so use of a GPS is recommended. There are boulders and loose rocks within a wash that will need to be traversed.

http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire

 

**We are not affiliated with any of the destinations/hiking trails listed in this blog.

Experience What is in the Backyard of Las Vegas

Experience What is in the Backyard of Las Vegas

We all know that the Strip is what most come to Vegas for and for good reason, it is truly amazing and a one-of-a-kind experience! But are you someone who likes to go off the beaten path? See the scenery and what is in the backyard of Vegas itself? Las Vegas has some of the most beautiful canyons, hiking paths, and views to see if you venture just outside the Strip itself. Here are some of our suggestions for destinations for hiking or scenic drives!

 

Mount Charleston: 40 miles from the resort

From a cool escape in the summer to a snowy wonderland in the winter, the Spring Mountains offer a distinct change in seasons not normally found in the Mojave Desert. Fall colors and spring wildflowers delight hikers who visit during these quiet seasons. You can also horseback ride, climb, off road drive, bike, and experience the gorgeous scenic drive. Spreading over 90 acres, the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway offers a Visitor Center, Education Building, group picnic areas, two amphitheaters, trail heads, and expansive areas with benches to take in the views of Kyle Canyon and Charleston Peak.

Grand Canyon: 276 miles from the resort

Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 277 miles of the beautiful Colorado River and mountains galore. The Grand Canyon is rich with history and gorgeous sites. You can hike, take guided tours, take cultural tours, and more! The daily fee is $8.00 per person; all individuals under the age of 15 are exempt from payment.

Red Rock Canyon: 11 miles from the resort

Red Rock Canyon has 13 miles of a beautiful scenic drive to admire the amazing canyons and peaks. A Visitor Center is located just past the entrance for guest’s convenience. It includes indoor and outdoor exhibits, plants throughout the canyon, wildlife to expect, and desert tortoise habitats. You can also bike, climb, and horseback ride as well. The daily entrance fee for a car/truck is $15 per vehicle. All entrance fees go towards upkeep to the canyon.

Boulder City: 27 miles from the resort

Boulder City’s historic Old Town district is home to many quaint shops, museums, hiking, parks, trails, and outdoor activities. Close to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, many like to travel to Boulder City to experience another side of Vegas; one where there is no gambling!

Lake Mead National Recreational Area: 33 miles from the resort

This is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts! With the options of swimming, boating, hiking, cycling, and fishing at America’s first and largest national recreation area, there is something for everyone! With beautiful views of the mountains and canyons, there is always something to look at that you haven’t seen before.

Valley of Fire State Park: 54 miles from the resort

40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone; Valley of Fire State Park contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. A Visitor Center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory and history of the park and nearby region. You can also take a drive around the state park with their scenic drive to see all of the beautiful views. Day use entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.

Vegas

Your Guide To What Is Open in Las Vegas!

Are you unsure what to expect on your next trip to Las Vegas? Is everything you love about Vegas still open? We got you covered with, what is open as of July 28, 2020. Please note this is an ever developing situation and the below can and most likely change. The list is just meant to be used as a guide. We strongly encourage you to check directly with the attraction, restaurant or casino for the most up to date opening protocols. Vegas is still here waiting for you!

Being entertained is the name of the game in Vegas. People are always looking for something to ‘Wow’ them, laugh with, or capture their attention. During this pandemic, Vegas is striving to give you the same level of amusement that you have grown to expect.

Vegas

Entertainment:

  • The Mob Museum encourages people to buy tickets ahead of time and has limited entry for visitors.
  • The Neon Museum encourages people to buy tickets ahead of time and has limited entry for visitors.
  • Kenny Davidsen’s Celebrity Piano Bar at the Tuscany Hotel and Casino, there is fitted plexiglass that will separate the audience from the stage. Shows start at 8:45 PM on Friday’s.
  • Big Elvis is back at Harrah’s . Performing Thursday through Saturday at 2, 3:30 and 5 PM and it’s free!
  • The High Roller at the Linq Promenade is open with a limit of 10 people per cabin for social distancing.
  • Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is partly re-opened with limited hours (11 AM to 7 PM)
  • Topgolf at MGM Grand
  • The Bellagio Fountains are dancing once again.
  • Minus5 Ice Experience located on a skywalk linking Luxor and Mandalay Bay is open.
  • Luxor’s and Mandalay Bay’s Shoppes are open, including Luxor’s HyperX Esports Arena.
  • Shark Reef Aquarium
  • Fly Linq Zip Line
  • The Eiffel Tower

 

Casinos:

The dice are rolling once again at some of your favorite gambling spots.  Your health and safety are the top priority at the casinos, all have been equipped with Plexiglass screens, increase sanitation protocols, social distancing and have strict enforcement of wearing masks on the casino floor at all times.

Please know that when they are open (times, days of the week, unexpected closures, etc.) could change rapidly so we encourage you to go to their website for more detailed information!

  • The Strat- AKA the Stratosphere
  • Sahara
  • Circus Circus
  • Treasure Island
  • The Venetian
  • Harrah’s
  • Caesars Palace
  • Bellagio
  • The Cosmopolitan
  • MGM Grand
  • New York-New York
  • Tuscany Suites and Casino
  • Excalibur
  • Plaza Hotel and Casino
  • Paris
  • Westgate
  • Aria
  • Mandalay Bay
  • Bally’s
  • Golden Nugget Las Vegas
  • Luxor

 

Restaurants:

We all look forward to good food and Las Vegas has no shortage of restaurants that have just that! Famous Chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay have places here and then there are hidden gems like Secret Pizza inside the Cosmopolitan that make the choices absolutely endless! Here are a few examples of what is open currently (please visit their website for reservations and open times).

  • Hash House A Go Go
  • Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar
  • Restaurant Guy Savoy
  • Oscar’s Steakhouse
  • Wolfgang Punk’s Spago
  • Elio at Wynn
  • The Buffet at Wynn
  • Gordon Ramsay Steak
  • Diablo’s Catina
  • Catch at Aria
  • Jean Georges Steakhouse
  • Salt and Ivy
  • Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen
  • Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill
  • Mesa Grill by Bobby Flay

 

Please know that for more information on anything mentioned above, our Concierge staff is always available to help you in any way they can! Especially when it comes to making reservations at some of these wonderful places to eat, they will be able to assist you and your family make that happen.

We are so excited to see you and your loved one’s back in Vegas for more memorable vacations and experiences!

We hope to see you soon!