Hit The Trails & Discover Greater Vegas’ Natural Beauty
There is much more to Las Vegas than the neon lights of the strip, and by taking a short drive, you can explore hidden canyons, caves, and even waterfalls just outside the city limits.
From leisurely strolls to full day adventures, Las Vegas and its surrounding areas offer world-class trails for all ability levels. Here are a few of our favorite picks for hiking around the Greater Vegas region:
Calico Tanks – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
This scramble along the Calico hills has you using your hands and feet at times to climb up the red sandstone steps and somewhat rough terrain. You’ll get to pass a hidden water pocket where you may find water depending on the time of year, and there are great views of the Las Vegas valley from the top. This moderately challenging 2.5-mile roundtrip hike is a great option for families and those wanting a relatively short introduction to Red Rock Canyon.
Cathedral Rock – Mount Charleston
The 2.8-mile roundtrip hike to Cathedral Rock is considered difficult, but it’s worth the effort. During the summer, wildflowers bloom and fill the paths with color, and you’ll enjoy the shade offered by the ponderosa and white fir. Halfway up the trail, hikers will reach a short old trail that leads to a waterfall, which provides a nice side option. The trail climbs a few short, steep switchbacks towards the top, with a spectacular view of Kyle Canyon from the summit.
Fire Wave – Valley of Fire State Park
Walk across an out-of-this-world sandstone formation that looks like the terrain of Mars. Starting in the park’s Parking Lot #3, follow the sandy trail past a variety of rock formations until you crest a hill and see the Fire Wave in the distance. This popular 1.5-mile roundtrip hike is seriously ‘gram-worthy, so bring a fully charged phone for this colorful journey through Valley of Fire State Park.
Frenchman Mountain – Sunrise Manor
Enjoy outstanding views of the entire valley while hiking this strenuous and steep trail. Hikers will follow a windy gravel utility road and walk past several radio towers before they reach the top of the peak. On clear days, you can see the entire valley, as well as Red Rock and Mount Charleston. And if you’re lucky, you just might get to see jets taking off and landing at Nellis Air Force Base, which is just to the northwest.
Gold Strike Hot Springs – Boulder City
The hike to Gold Strike Hot Springs requires a bit of rock scrambling, so only attempt this hike if you’re comfortable with using ropes to climb over boulders. At the end of the canyon, hikers are rewarded with several hot spring pools to relax in and access to the Colorado River, so bring your swimsuit! This is also a popular trail to spot a wide array of wildlife, including Nevada’s state animal, the desert bighorn sheep. This trail is closed in the summer months, so tackle it in fall, winter, or spring, when the temperatures are more comfortable for both the hike, and a soak in the hot springs.
Historic Railroad Trail – Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Hike the Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and walk through five tunnels where trains once took supplies to build the Hoover Dam. This wide and flat gravel path is great for families and is also wheelchair and baby stroller accessible. Not only will the kids have fun exploring the old train tunnels, but you’ll also be rewarded with sweeping views of Lake Mead. The trailhead is easily accessed from a parking lot near the Alan Bible Visitor Center at Lake Mead.
Lone Mountain – Summerlin
Just a short drive from downtown Las Vegas, Lone Mountain offers great views of both Las Vegas and the western mountain ranges. This 1.2-mile out-and-back hike may sound short, but you gain 500 feet in elevation in that short distance, so keep in mind this trail is steep and includes loose gravel, and not for the faint of heart! If the steep climb isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy the 2-mile gravel path that circles the base of the mountain.
Nature Preserve Trails – Clark County Wetlands Park
The Wetlands Park Nature Preserve is a 210-acre section of Clark County Wetlands Park that is home to hundreds of species of animals. The Preserve includes three miles of paved ADA accessible trails and a network of connecting unpaved trails that provide hours of nature exploration. The longer 14-mile Wetlands Loop Trail is a paved multi-use trail shared by hikers, joggers, cyclists, and dog-walkers, and loops around both the north and south sides of the Las Vegas Wash.
Petroglyph Canyon – Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
Just south of Henderson sits Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, a significant cultural resource in Southern Nevada. Petroglyph Canyon, a moderate four-mile loop, is the area’s most popular hike, allowing visitors to explore more than 300 rock art panels created by the area’s indigenous inhabitants. Just remember to leave all rock art as you found it, for the next visitors to enjoy.
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Danielle Smith
