Top-rated Trails for Absolutely Stunning Hikes in Vegas
When you visit Las Vegas, hiking might not cross your mind. But it should!
The mere mention of ‘Sin City’ invokes an image of the Las Vegas Boulevard's endless delights, bright lights, and hedonism. But you need to look beyond the fanfare and glitter to discover the flip side of this stunning city. The impressive gorges near the Spring Mountains, gurgling natural springs, and bright red rock canyons are packed with fantastic hiking trails, are some of the natural treasures waiting to be discovered.
Just 10 to 15 minutes from the outskirts of Las Vegas, you’ll find Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Here, you’ll find an extensive range of trails leading through dramatic canyons and a colorful world of rolling red rock hills. To the north of Las Vegas, about one hour away, you’ll find the Valley of Fire State Park. This is one of Nevada’s less-discovered treasures, with stunning trails, petrified logs, interesting rock formations, and other unique sites. Other worthwhile trails can be found around Lake Mead and on Mount Charleston.
Read on to discover these hidden gems.
Valley of Fire State Park is among Nevada’s premier hiking destinations. One of the most interesting hikes is the Fire Wave, a 1.2-mile hike that takes you to outstanding scenery. The hike exposes you to colorful stone hills and expanses of ribbed sandstone. Photographers will enjoy this hike, which starts over soft sand and curves around a huge orange fin before opening into waves of streaked, rolling stone. The magnificent views stretch out to the hills in an array of colors ranging from shades of turquoise and green to burnt orange and yellow.
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Battle Born Activities[/caption]
Calico Tank is among the most popular hikes in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It's a short but challenging hike leading up to a natural water catchment area known as Calico Tank. Hikers enjoy this 2.2-mile hike, leading them over red rocks and stone stairs. At some point, you have to use your feet and hands to get over the ridges.
As you go up the canyon, you’ll enjoy the steady flow of ever-changing scenery. At the same time, the return trip is equally scenic as one walks back down.
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Only In Nevada[/caption]
The Railroad Tunnel Trail is an easy hike covering 3.4 miles around Lake Mead. This leisurely hike takes you through a historic railroad route where trains brought supplies for the construction of the Hoover Dam. The train tracks were removed, and the trail features flat pathways through rock tunnels. It’s also an ideal trail for those looking to catch the breathtaking views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
Lost Creek Trail is 0.6 miles long at the Red Rock Canyon. The trail allows hikers to catch the fantastic views of hidden pathways and waterfalls. The short trail is ideal for beginners and families with kids. It’s a great trail to soak in waterfall views and the gorgeous canyon.
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Valley of Fire State Park[/caption]
The Fire Wave Trail measures 1.5 miles at the Valley of Fire State Park, about 1 hour from the Strip. This is one of the most stunning spots for hiking in Vegas. This hike is incredibly picturesque, with rock formations laced with red, pink, and white stripes resembling ripples in a pond. Moreover, the trail ascends in a towering rock formation that resembles a wave crest. It’s accessible to all levels of hikers, including those who move at a slower pace.
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Sin City Las Vegas[/caption]
Try the White Domes Trail at the Valley of Fire State Park for a short hike. It covers 1.1 miles and features narrow canyon trail areas, fascinating rock formations, and stunning photo opportunities.
The Arizona Hot Springs is a 6.9-mile area around Lake Mead. There’s also an opportunity to see local wildlife, beautiful plants and flowers, local wildlife, and views of the surrounding peaks and lake.
[caption id="attachment_40546" align="alignnone" width="400"]
Battle Born Activities[/caption]
Need to whip up a sweat? Try the Ice Box Canyon trail covering 2.3 miles at the Red Rock Canyon. The trail is marked as moderate because of the very rocky terrain, which includes boulders and gravel interspersed throughout the trail. Although there’s a waterfall on the trail, it dries up due to infrequent rain. However, the rock formations and views make it worthwhile.
First Creek Canyon is located in the Red Rock Canyon and stretches for 3.4 miles. It’s one of the most family-friendly, accessible, and fun hikes. Although the trail is mostly flat, it takes you between rock formations, meadows, and a scenic waterfall. Getting to the base of the First Creek Falls is quite a challenge, but it’s worth it for the spectacular and cool views.
[caption id="attachment_40548" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Friends of Sloan Canyon[/caption]
Petroglyph Canyon in Sloan Canyon is fun for history buffs. This hiking trail goes for 4.1 miles, so it's a long one. It offers a unique opportunity to admire ancient petroglyph carvings on the cliffs and large stones that line the pathway. Some sections of the trail require light scrambling, but it’s generally enjoyable and safe for children and families.
The mere mention of ‘Sin City’ invokes an image of the Las Vegas Boulevard's endless delights, bright lights, and hedonism. But you need to look beyond the fanfare and glitter to discover the flip side of this stunning city. The impressive gorges near the Spring Mountains, gurgling natural springs, and bright red rock canyons are packed with fantastic hiking trails, are some of the natural treasures waiting to be discovered.
Just 10 to 15 minutes from the outskirts of Las Vegas, you’ll find Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Here, you’ll find an extensive range of trails leading through dramatic canyons and a colorful world of rolling red rock hills. To the north of Las Vegas, about one hour away, you’ll find the Valley of Fire State Park. This is one of Nevada’s less-discovered treasures, with stunning trails, petrified logs, interesting rock formations, and other unique sites. Other worthwhile trails can be found around Lake Mead and on Mount Charleston.
Read on to discover these hidden gems.
1. Fire Wave (Valley of Fire State Park)
Valley of Fire State Park is among Nevada’s premier hiking destinations. One of the most interesting hikes is the Fire Wave, a 1.2-mile hike that takes you to outstanding scenery. The hike exposes you to colorful stone hills and expanses of ribbed sandstone. Photographers will enjoy this hike, which starts over soft sand and curves around a huge orange fin before opening into waves of streaked, rolling stone. The magnificent views stretch out to the hills in an array of colors ranging from shades of turquoise and green to burnt orange and yellow.
2. Calico Tank (Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area)
[caption id="attachment_40540" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Battle Born Activities[/caption]Calico Tank is among the most popular hikes in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It's a short but challenging hike leading up to a natural water catchment area known as Calico Tank. Hikers enjoy this 2.2-mile hike, leading them over red rocks and stone stairs. At some point, you have to use your feet and hands to get over the ridges.
As you go up the canyon, you’ll enjoy the steady flow of ever-changing scenery. At the same time, the return trip is equally scenic as one walks back down.
3. Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail (Lake Mead)
[caption id="attachment_40541" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Only In Nevada[/caption]The Railroad Tunnel Trail is an easy hike covering 3.4 miles around Lake Mead. This leisurely hike takes you through a historic railroad route where trains brought supplies for the construction of the Hoover Dam. The train tracks were removed, and the trail features flat pathways through rock tunnels. It’s also an ideal trail for those looking to catch the breathtaking views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
4. Lost Creek Falls (Red Rock Canyon)
Lost Creek Trail is 0.6 miles long at the Red Rock Canyon. The trail allows hikers to catch the fantastic views of hidden pathways and waterfalls. The short trail is ideal for beginners and families with kids. It’s a great trail to soak in waterfall views and the gorgeous canyon.
5. Fire Wave Trail ( Valley of Fire State Park)
[caption id="attachment_40543" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Valley of Fire State Park[/caption]The Fire Wave Trail measures 1.5 miles at the Valley of Fire State Park, about 1 hour from the Strip. This is one of the most stunning spots for hiking in Vegas. This hike is incredibly picturesque, with rock formations laced with red, pink, and white stripes resembling ripples in a pond. Moreover, the trail ascends in a towering rock formation that resembles a wave crest. It’s accessible to all levels of hikers, including those who move at a slower pace.
6. White Domes Trail (Valley of Fire State Park)
[caption id="attachment_40544" align="alignnone" width="768"]
Sin City Las Vegas[/caption]Try the White Domes Trail at the Valley of Fire State Park for a short hike. It covers 1.1 miles and features narrow canyon trail areas, fascinating rock formations, and stunning photo opportunities.
7. Arizona Hot Springs (Lake Mead)
The Arizona Hot Springs is a 6.9-mile area around Lake Mead. There’s also an opportunity to see local wildlife, beautiful plants and flowers, local wildlife, and views of the surrounding peaks and lake.
8. Ice Box Canyon (Red Rock Canyon)
[caption id="attachment_40546" align="alignnone" width="400"]
Battle Born Activities[/caption]Need to whip up a sweat? Try the Ice Box Canyon trail covering 2.3 miles at the Red Rock Canyon. The trail is marked as moderate because of the very rocky terrain, which includes boulders and gravel interspersed throughout the trail. Although there’s a waterfall on the trail, it dries up due to infrequent rain. However, the rock formations and views make it worthwhile.
9. First Creek Canyon (Red Rock Canyon)
First Creek Canyon is located in the Red Rock Canyon and stretches for 3.4 miles. It’s one of the most family-friendly, accessible, and fun hikes. Although the trail is mostly flat, it takes you between rock formations, meadows, and a scenic waterfall. Getting to the base of the First Creek Falls is quite a challenge, but it’s worth it for the spectacular and cool views.
10. Petroglyph Canyon (Sloan Canyon)
[caption id="attachment_40548" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Friends of Sloan Canyon[/caption]Petroglyph Canyon in Sloan Canyon is fun for history buffs. This hiking trail goes for 4.1 miles, so it's a long one. It offers a unique opportunity to admire ancient petroglyph carvings on the cliffs and large stones that line the pathway. Some sections of the trail require light scrambling, but it’s generally enjoyable and safe for children and families.