15 Best National Parks Near Las Vegas | 2024 (with Photos)
Las Vegas is not just a city of bright lights and entertainment but it also serves as a gateway to an incredible national park system and some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the United States.
The surrounding region is home to a network of national parks that offer breathtaking views, unique rock formations, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Whether you are a seasoned hiker, a nature lover, or just looking for a break from the city, many national parks are within driving distance from Las Vegas and worth exploring.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the 15 best national parks near Las Vegas that are sure to inspire you to get out and explore the great outdoors.
Most Recommended Thing to Do
Visit the Strip.
Top Choice Hotel
Bellagio
Our Top Choice Restaurant
Joël Robuchon
Our Top Choice Bar for Nightlife
XS
Best Time to Visit
Peak season for visiting Las Vegas is during spring.
Average Temperature
Hot: summers can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transportation Options
Buses, taxis, Uber/Lyft, monorails, rental cars, shuttles
Average Cost ($, $$, $$$)
$$
My Top Recommendation
Las Vegas, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the United States, offers an exhilarating experience like no other. Indulge in the thrilling energy of the famous Las Vegas Strip, where you can immerse yourself in dazzling lights, breathtaking shows, and a plethora of lavish casinos.
If you seek a more serene experience amidst the glitz and glamour, venture beyond the Strip to explore the stunning natural wonders that surround Las Vegas. Take a short drive to the enchanting Red Rock Canyon, where you can embark on picturesque hikes and marvel at the vibrant red rock formations. With endless entertainment options and breathtaking landscapes, Las Vegas truly has something for everyone.
What You'll Need to Bring
- Identification documents (passport, driver's license, etc.)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light clothing for the daytime
- Warmer clothing for the evenings
- Sunscreen
- Hat or cap for sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Cash and/or credit cards
- Personal toiletries
- Travel adapter for electronic devices
What Not to Miss
- The Strip
- Fremont Street Experience
- Bellagio Fountains
- High Roller Observation Wheel
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Hoover Dam
- The Mob Museum
- Neon Museum
- Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
- Grand Canyon Day Trip
What to Avoid
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Overbooking: Check your reservations and make sure to confirm your accommodations, flights, and any other bookings in advance to avoid any last-minute mistakes.
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Walking alone at night: It's always best to avoid walking alone late at night, especially in less crowded areas or unfamiliar neighborhoods. Stay in well-lit, busy areas or use reputable transportation options.
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Overspending at casinos: Set a budget for gambling and stick to it to avoid overspending or getting carried away in the excitement of the casinos.
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Ignoring the desert climate: Las Vegas can get extremely hot, especially during the summer months. Stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing, and take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
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Falling for tourist traps: Be cautious of overpriced shows, restaurants, or tours that are targeted towards tourists. Do some research, read reviews, and ask locals for recommendations to ensure you get the best value for your money.
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Engaging in illegal activities: Always abide by the law and avoid any involvement in illegal activities. Las Vegas may have a vibrant nightlife, but maintaining a safe and legal environment is crucial for everyone's well-being.
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Inattentive driving: Las Vegas can be notorious for heavy traffic, so stay focused and avoid distracted driving. Be patient, follow traffic rules, and be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe journey.
Note: These are general tips and guidelines, and it's always recommended to research and stay updated on specific travel advisories or guidelines related to Las Vegas before your trip.
Table of Contents
1. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
This one had to be on our list of the best parks near Las Vegas. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the many Las Vegas national parks and is located just a short scenic drive north of Las Vegas.
It offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and explore a rich deposit of Ice Age fossils. The monument features a variety of fossilized plants and animals, including mammoths, bison, and camels, that roamed the region over 10,000 years ago.
Visitors can explore the national monument's hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscapes while learning about the area's geology and paleontological history.
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the must-visit national parks near Las Vegas for anyone interested in natural history, fossils, or geology, and offers a unique opportunity to explore the prehistoric past of the American Southwest.
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is just a short driving distance from Las Vegas, so it makes for a perfect outing if you are in the city for a few days.
2. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area is a natural oasis located just west of Las Vegas that offers visitors an escape from the city's bright lights and noise.
The park's towering red rock formations provide a breathtaking backdrop for hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives, and are home to a diverse range of desert flora and fauna.
As one of many national parks near Las Vegas, the park has many trails, including the popular Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon, which offer stunning views of the canyon overlooks and unique geological formations.
Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area is one of the great national parks near Las Vegas and a perfect day-trip destination for anyone who wants a little respite from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.
3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a beautiful national park located just a 25-mile drive from Las Vegas, making it the shortest distance from Las Vegas on this list. Lake Mead offers visitors an incredible opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of the Mojave Desert.
The park features the vast Lake Mead, which is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as several scenic hiking trails that wind through the park's desert landscapes.
Many rivers feed into Lake Mead including the Colorado River and the Virgin River. Visitors can also explore the nearby Hoover Dam, one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century, and learn about its incredible history and significance.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is an oasis in the Mojave desert that is great for anyone seeking a break from the dry heat of Las Vegas and is sure to offer a truly unforgettable outdoor experience.
4. Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada, a few hours' distance from Las Vegas. The park features a stunning landscape of towering mountains, dense forests, and isolated lakes.
Visitors to Great Basin National Park can enjoy the many hikes in the area, including the popular Alpine Lakes Loop Trail and a hike to the summit of the second-highest peak in Nevada, the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail.
Great Basin National Park is a really good choice for people who only have a few days in Las Vegas and want to stay in Nevada.
The park also offers stargazing opportunities at its high elevation, making it a prime location for astronomy enthusiasts. Remember to prepare for the increase in altitude from Las Vegas to Great Basin National Park and bring your water bottle. We have more national parks near Vegas for you - keep reading.
5. Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a one-of-a-kind destination located in eastern Utah. The inspiration for many painters and filmmakers, the park is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, towering spires, and dramatic rock formations, making it one of the most unique and beautiful national parks in the world.
Visitors of Arches National Park who want a moderately-difficult exploration of the park should hike the Park Avenue Trail, a 2-mile hike that descends into a canyon with towering red rock formations that resemble skyscrapers. This is a refreshing change from the skyscrapers on the Las Vegas Strip.
Arches National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in Utah because it is a truly unique and unforgettable outdoor adventure, and will leave visitors wanting to take more and more photos of these natural wonders of the American West.
6. Canyonlands National Park
This Utah National Park is one of the many stunning parks near Las Vegas. It is located in southeastern Utah, about a seven-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas.
Canyonlands National Park features a vast and rugged landscape of canyons, mesas, and buttes, carved out by the Colorado River and its tributaries over millions of years.
Canyonlands National Park is a popular destination for anyone seeking a truly unique and unforgettable outdoor adventure that will leave visitors in awe of the power of nature.
If visitors want a quick detour on their way to Canyonlands National Park, they can stop by Monument Valley. Monument Valley is not a national park of the United States but it is a part of the Navajo Nation tribal land on the border of Arizona and Utah. Monument Valley takes six hours to reach from Vegas.
7. Zion National Park
Follow the Virgin River north to find the beautiful Zion National Park. Zion National Park is one of the best national parks near Las Vegas.
As you well know, Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah, 160 miles in distance from Las Vegas. Zion National Park features stunning sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and rushing rivers, all set against a backdrop of the surrounding mountains and desert landscapes.
Visitors to Zion National Park can explore the park's many hiking trails, including the popular Angels Landing Trail where they can take in the stunning vistas and diverse wildlife of Zion National Park. Some other notable trails include the Canyon Overlook Trail and the Narrows Trail.
Another great way to see the beautiful landscape of Zion National Park is to take the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive on a shuttle that is run by the National Parks Service.
Zion National Park is one of the best national parks for anyone seeking an active vacation with lots of hiking and exploring. Put away those Las Vegas stilettos and pack your hiking boots. National parks are perfect for all tourists no matter their age.
8. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a breathtaking destination located in southwestern Utah. The park is about 270 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
Bryce Canyon features a unique and otherworldly landscape of hoodoos, or spire-shaped rock formations, that create a stunning, colorful backdrop against the surrounding forests and mountains. Take a scenic drive through the park and enjoy these unusual features.
Visitors coming from Las Vegas can do the Bryce Canyon scenic drive, an 18-mile cruise with many overlooks in which to stop and enjoy the views of Bryce Canyon. Sunrise Point is another great spot in Bryce Canyon National Park where visitors can look out at the gorgeous rock formations and maybe spot some wildlife.
Bryce Canyon National Park and its Sunrise Point is a must-visit destination outside of Las Vegas for anyone seeking a truly unique and unforgettable outdoor adventure and is a great place to see the natural beauty and diversity of the American West by foot or from the comfort of a car.
9. Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is located in south-central Utah at a distance of about 360 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Although Capitol Reef is further than some of the other locations on this list, it's well worth the journey if you have the time.
The route from Las Vegas to Capitol Reef National Park also provides magnificent views of mountains all along the way. Capitol Reef National Park features a stunning landscape of towering sandstone cliffs, colorful rock formations, and narrow canyons.
On the way from Las Vegas to Capitol Reef National Park, travelers can drive through some popular state parks near the route like Valley of Fire State Park and Snow Canyon State Park. Valley of Fire State Park serves as a nice pit stop for a long road trip that will allow travelers to stretch their legs on some fun red rock formations before hopping back into the car to Capitol Reef.
Once arriving at Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can enjoy both geological and human history going back thousands of years.
The park offers a glimpse into the area's rich human history, with preserved pioneer-era structures and ancient petroglyphs that visitors can explore with a guide or on their own.
10. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is a vast forest located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, a few hours' drive from Las Vegas. The park is home to some of the largest and oldest trees on earth, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree in the world.
Visitors can explore the national park's many hiking trails, including the popular Giant Forest Loop, the challenging Mount Whitney Trail, or the breathtaking Big Trees Trail. Sequoia National Park is one of those places that will give you a deep appreciation for these natural giants.
While here, travelers can also visit Kings Canyon National Park as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are located in the same mountain range.
Kings Canyon National Park also has an abundance of giant sequoia trees as well as hikes ranging from easy to difficult. Kings Canyon and Kings Canyon National Park are perfect for all thrill seekers visiting national parks near Las Vegas.
11. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is actually a great place despite its gloomy name. This is one of those amazing national parks near Las Vegas that you should visit.
This International Dark Sky Park is the perfect place to escape the blinding lights of Las Vegas and experience the raw beauty of the remote Death Valley desert night sky. Stargazing at Death Valley is an experience you won't soon forget.
Aptly named for its scorching summer weather, Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in this list and features a stark and dramatic desert landscape, including the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin, and the towering peaks of the Panamint Mountains.
Death Valley National Park is a unique and otherworldly destination located in eastern California, just a two-hour drive distance from Las Vegas. It wouldn't be a desert without sand, so make sure to check out the sand dunes in Death Valley as well as the many hiking trails during the cooler months.
The beauty of Death Valley National Park does not dissipate once the sun goes down because, unlike Las Vegas, it is one of the best places in the American Southwest to see the stars at night.
According to the National Park Service, camping in Death Valley is most popular from October to April before the weather gets too hot. Don't forget to pack a tent and take advantage of the beautiful Death Valley National Park.
Guests can visit the national park site for more information on campsite availability.
12. Joshua Tree National Park
We have another treat for you - Joshua Tree National Park. Named after the iconic Joshua tree that grows there, Joshua Tree National Park is a stunning destination located in southern California. You will also have a chance to buy some souvenirs and some of them are actually shaped like the famous Joshua Tree.
The three-hour drive from Las Vegas to Joshua Tree takes you straight through the Mojave National Preserve, offering a scenic drive full of plants and wildlife native to the region.
Joshua Tree National Park features a unique desert landscape, characterized by its iconic Joshua trees, massive boulder formations, and vast expanses of the open sky.
Visitors of Joshua Tree Park who want to take it easy can go to the Cholla Cactus Garden, an area within Joshua Tree National Park with thousands of cacti to enjoy with a backdrop of beautiful mountains.
This is a great place for a classic Joshua Tree National Park sunset hike before heading back to Las Vegas in the morning. Joshua Tree National Park is a must-visit destination near Las Vegas for anyone seeking a zen weekend away from the big lights of the Las Vegas strip.
13. Yosemite National Park
Located in Yosemite Valley of California, Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the USA and a world-famous destination.
A six-hour scenic drive from Las Vegas, the park features breathtaking natural beauty, including towering granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees.
Animal lovers flock to this and other parks near Yosemite Valley to see black bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions if they're lucky, (not something easily seen on the Las Vegas Strip).
Rock climbing is also a famous activity in this national park and parks near it due to the rocky terrain and national monuments like the Half Dome.
Out of all of America's National Parks, Yosemite National Park is one of the best national parks that the USA has to offer because its location and diversity of activities are so appealing.
It is a bucket-list destination for anyone seeking a truly iconic and awe-inspiring outdoor adventure that will make them want to venture this distance from Las Vegas every time.
14. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is a fascinating destination located in northeastern Arizona, about a five-hour drive from Las Vegas.
Petrified Forest National Park features stunning petrified wood that has been transformed into beautiful stone over millions of years, as well as colorful badlands and ancient fossils.
Travelers who are coming from Las Vegas and want a more guided educational experience during their visit can go to the Rainbow Forest Museum where they can learn about the creatures that used to roam this land millions of years ago.
Other national parks near Las Vegas also have lots of information on ancient animals and their fossils. Petrified Forest National Park is a must-visit spot for anyone seeking a truly unique and educational outdoor adventure in parks and outdoor museums near Las Vegas.
15. Grand Canyon National Park
Last but not least on our list of national parks near Las Vegas. Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular national monuments in the USA and a must-see destination. The canyon is known for its breathtaking views and challenging hikes like the Bright Angel Trail at the base of the canyon.
If you are spending more than a weekend in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon is a must. There are numerous ways you can get to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. Created over millions of years, the Grand Canyon spans 1,904 square miles in total. It is a 275-mile distance from Las Vegas.
The Grand Canyon was carved out over millions of years by the powerful Colorado River, which can be seen from the many bird's eye viewpoints in the North Rim, South Rim, and West Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Guests looking to experience Grand Canyon National Park with a guide should head to the South Rim where they can visit the Grand Canyon village and go to the visitor center. Don't forget to take pictures of the South Rim of the canyon. You can also walk out on the Grand Canyon's South Rim overlook to get stunning views of the Colorado River and the cavernous Grand Canyon.
Meanwhile, the North Rim is less frequented but it also offers incredible views. It takes about 4.5 hours to drive from the South Rim to the North Rim unless a 21-mile hike through the center sounds more appealing.
Grand Canyon West is home to the exciting skywalk, a glass platform that hangs over the West Rim where the courageous can walk out over the edge of the Grand Canyon and peer down over the canyon overlook. The Canyon Overlook Trail is amazing.
FAQs about National Parks Near Vegas
Let's take a look at some frequently asked questions relating to national parks near Vegas.
How many National Parks are in Nevada?
Nevada has 7 national parks with several national parks near Las Vegas. All national parks near Las Vegas are worth the visit. Moreover, the surrounding states boast several more national parks worth seeing. If we had to single one out we would recommend visiting Joshua Tree National Park first.
What are the best Las Vegas National Parks for Seniors?
There are a few national parks near Las Vegas good for seniors. Sequoia National Park is a great choice, or Kings Canyon National Parks. Otherwise, seniors might want to relax by Lake Mead or book a combined tour to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, with pick-up, drop-off, and refreshments included.
Is Bryce Canyon National Park or Zion National Park closer to Las Vegas?
Zion National Park is closer to Las Vegas than Bryce Canyon National Park. Both national parks are situated in Utah.
Which States have National Parks that are within 300 miles of Las Vegas?
Nevada has 4 National parks near Las Vegas: Tule Springs Fossil Beds, Red Rock Canyon National Park, Lake Mead, and Great Basin National Park as well as many state parks.
Utah has popular national parks like Zion National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park, all less than 200 miles from Las Vegas.
California has national parks near Vegas that include Death Valley National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon, and Joshua Tree National Park. Our favorite is Joshua Tree National Park.
Arizona is home to national parks like Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, and part of Lake Mead. It is also home to Monument Valley.
Summing Up: Best National Parks Near Las Vegas
The national parks near Las Vegas offer an amazing opportunity to experience the natural beauty and diversity of the American Southwest.
From the iconic Grand Canyon National Park to the unique hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the stunning red rock formations of Zion and Red Rock Canyon National Parks, there is something for everyone.
So, whether you are a local in Las Vegas or just passing through, make sure to take some time to visit these incredible national parks near Las Vegas and enjoy all they have to offer.
Pack your bags, put on your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
