When people visit Las Vegas they usually spend most of their time indoors gambling and partying in casinos, clubs, and bars. However, there are plenty of beautiful outdoor destinations to see in Southern Nevada that are only a short drive from the Las Vegas strip.

Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is located in Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. Boulder City was originally created to house the thousands of workers for the dam. Over 100 lives were lost during the building of the dam that has now become an iconic American landmark. The Hoover Dam holds a lot of history. It was built during the Great Depression and was even a target of a German bomb plan during World War II. Today, visitors can walk across America’s second tallest dam on a bridge that overlooks the massive structure. It’s a great place for photo opportunities!

Lake Mead

Actually created by the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is America’s largest reservoir. It covers approximately 248 square miles and is 532 feet deep at its deepest point. There is plenty to do at Lake Mead and the scenery of this Southern Nevada staple is breathtaking. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the most diverse national recreation area in America. There are many activities to do on and around the Lake, which can provide a fun filled day outdoors. The lake is about a 30-minute drive from the Las Vegas strip and is a must see for any outdoors lover visiting Las Vegas. Get the most out of your time by viewing lake mead on an ATV tour!

Colorado River

The Colorado River passes through Mexico and five states in The United States of America; Colorado, Utah, Arizona, California, and Nevada. It’s the fifth biggest river in all of America and is a vital source of water for over 40 million people in the Southwest. If you want to explore the Colorado River while visiting Las Vegas a great way to do so is by river rafting. We’ll even pick you up from your casino on the strip!

Grand Canyon

Listed as one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” the Grand Canyon is the biggest Canyon in the Western world. It is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. It’s overwhelming size and beautiful landscape make it a popular destination among Southwest tourists. It is located approximately two hours from Las Vegas, so a trip to the canyon is definitely worth it when visiting Sin City. See the Canyon in style and experience the beautiful landscape with a doors-off helicopter tour.

Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert spans over a total of 47,877 square miles and is home to Joshua trees, which are native only to the Mojave Desert.  Its highest peak, Charleston Peak, sits at 11,918 feet and its lowest point, Badwater Basin in Death Valley, sits at 279 feet below sea level. It’s a great landscape to shoot machine guns in a “desert storm” atmosphere and is located not far from the Las Vegas strip.