As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to head outside to enjoy milder days before the heat creeps in. The nature surrounding Las Vegas is an incredible setting, filled with hikes and trails every nature enthusiast should try. The vast desert landscape offers a range of beautiful and unique sights. Read below to find some of the best Las Vegas hike trails for exploring and adventuring the next time you’re visiting.
Best Hikes Near Las Vegas
The Lone Mountain Trail is 1.2 miles, takes approximately 1 hour to complete, and is a moderate difficulty. This trail takes you to an isolated, rocky peak that offers great views of Las Vegas and the surrounding mountain ranges, including a peak at Mt. Charleston.
The Las Vegas Overlook trail is 6.3 miles, takes approximately 4 hours to complete, and is a moderate difficulty. On this trail, enjoy a commanding view of the Vegas Strip and surrounding mountains awaiting atop the overlook trail, also known as Muffin Ridge, just outside Red Rock Canyon.
The Calico Tanks Trail is 2.3 miles, takes approximately 2 hours to complete, and is a moderate difficulty. The Red Rock Canyon scenery is spectacular – red, orange, and yellow sandstone formations with mountains towering above. At the end of the hike is a watering hole (the Calico Tank) that has views of Las Vegas.
The Petroglyph Canyon Trail is 4.4 miles, takes approximately 3 hours to complete, and is a moderate difficulty. Sloan Canyon National Conservation area protects thousands of petroglyphs left by the area’s original inhabitants. Many of them can be admired by hiking this aptly named desert trail south of Henderson.
Source: Exploration Project
The Historic Railroad Tunnel trail is 6.8 miles, takes approximately 4 hours to complete, and is an easy difficulty. The best part of this trail is the fact that you can walk or ride your bike along the flat, elevated railroad bed. The hike takes you through five different railroad tunnels, filled with remnants of the past, and some ruins from arson fires.
The Ice Box Canyon trail is 2.3 miles, takes approximately 3 hours to complete, and is a hard difficulty. From the scenic loop in Red Rock Canyon, a trail leads across a short section of desert and into a tight canyon with huge walls. Rock hopping and scrambling up this shady slot leads to a stream and tall waterfall that flows with spring runoff.
The Lost Creek Falls trail is 1.5 miles, takes approximately 1 hour to complete, and is an easy difficulty. This trail crosses through a large willow thicket and over several bridges before ending in a secluded slot canyon. From November through May, the hike ends in a beautiful waterfall. During off-season, you can marvel at the smooth, eroded walls from the falls.
The Mary Jane Falls trail is 3.8 miles, takes approximately 2 hours to complete, and is a moderate difficulty. High up in the cool air of the Spring Mountains, a moderate trail leads to a seasonal waterfall. Take a longer and more difficult adventure if you wish to see the even more spectacular Big Falls nearby.
The South Loop hike is 17.5 miles, takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete, and is a very hard difficulty. The Mt. Charleston Peak hike takes you to the highest point near Las Vegas, at 11,916 feet. Half the hike is done above 10,000 feet in an alpine wonderland with scenery that rivals any National Park.
The White Domes trail is 1 mile, takes approximately 1 hour to complete, and is a moderate difficulty. This trail in the Valley of Fire descends into a whimsical area alight with bold colors and a slot canyon that offers great photographic opportunities, before winding back up to the beginning.
The Crystal Springs Boardwalk trail is about half a mile, takes approximately 1 hour to complete, and is an easy difficulty. The best pools here can be seen with little effort along the park’s main trail, which is an elevated boardwalk that passes alongside unique pools of fossil water.
This spring, escape the city for a day and opt outside with these Las Vegas hike trails. Where you prepare before and recharge after your hike matters, so be sure to book a room at the D Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas. Then, rent a car, find a new spot, find a new hobby, or even find yourself while exploring all that Nevada has to offer.
