If you’re staying in Vegas but want to venture out on a quick but epic road trip, there are plenty of great options. Here are some of the best road trips from Vegas you can see under an hour without straying too far from your hotel.
Boulder City and Hoover Dam
Traveling to Boulder City and Hoover Dam is one of the best road trips from Vegas in under an hour. It’ll take you around 55 minutes. You drive through much of Las Vegas and the neighboring city, Henderson, but much of the trip is heading south on the same freeway.
The Hoover Dam is world-famous and has helped Vegas to have continuous electricity and water for years. It is one of the 7 wonders of the engineering world, alongside feats such as the Great Wall of China and the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you want to extend your road trip, you can take a drive down Northshore Road. This road goes for about 50 miles and connects to the Valley of Fire State Park.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is a National Conservation Area about 45 minutes west of Vegas. There is a fee to enter the park, but it gives you access to trails, picnic areas, overlooks, and the scenic loop. The best way to see all of Red Rock is on the 13-mile scenic loop drive.
Red Rock has tons of great hiking trails for all skill levels. Just be careful to stay hydrated and plan accordingly for the desert weather depending on the season. If you don’t want to hike, there are still plenty of beautiful sights to be seen from the car.
Nelson Ghost Town and Eldorado Canyon
Nelson Ghost Town and Eldorado Canyon – one of Nevada’s most famous ghost towns – are about 45 minutes from Las Vegas. They are located south of Vegas and have everything you need to experience the “old west.”
Nelson, called Eldorado by the Spaniards, was an old mining town with an active mine until 1945. You can take a 1-hour tour of the old goldmine at various times throughout the day for $15 per person.
You can also take some amazing photos with all the historic props throughout the town. You can pay $10 an hour to get access to all sections of the town for photos. If you’re a history or photography lover, you don’t want to miss this iconic ghost town.
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is part of the Mojave Desert and is around 50 minutes northeast of Vegas. It features a unique mixture of rocks, animals, and some of the most fantastic hiking routes in the area.
The park was once home to Puebloan tribes. Visitors can see amazing ancient petroglyphs throughout the park, especially on the Petroglyph Canyon Trail. The off-season is the best time to visit the Valley of Fire to avoid the intense heat.
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is a chance to beat the heat only 45 minutes northwest of Las Vegas. This recreation area is elevated more than 7,500 feet above sea level.
It’s one of the most beautiful spots around Vegas. There are plenty of hiking trails to take advantage of around the mountain. There’s also skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at Lee Canyon in the winter.
Primm, Nevada
The Nevada-California state line is in Primm, Nevada, only about an hour from Las Vegas. It has multiple western-themed casino hotels, shops, and restaurants, but the most notable attraction is the Bonnie and Clyde Getaway Car.
Located in the Primm Valley Hotel & Casino, the Bonnie and Clyde Getaway Car is the vehicle Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were in when they were killed in a police pursuit in 1934. If you’re looking for an interesting day trip, this 40-mile adventure is worth the ride.
Adventures from Vegas in Under an Hour
Whether you live in Sin City or are just visiting, there are plenty of exciting places to explore beyond the Strip. Road trips like this are ideal if you have a day to spare but want to be back in time for dinner. You can have tons of adventures and see one-of-a-kind sights less than an hour away from the city. So, what are you waiting for?
