Monument Valley isn't technically a U. National Park, since the federal government doesn't have jurisdiction over this area of land.
Monument Valley is wholly located inside the Navajo Nation Reservation, and the tribal government has designated the area a Navajo Tribal Park which is the local equivalent of a U. Monument Valley is miles east of Las Vegas and takes about six hours to reach, straddling the border of Utah and Arizona. Looking across the desert, you'll see towers of red rock jutting up against the clear, blue sky like monuments from an ancient time. Their use in movies and art has made them some of the most recognizable features of the American Southwest.
Some of the most visited spots, such as Antelope Canyon , are only accessible via a guided tour. The park also features a Navajo village where children and adults alike can immerse themselves in live reenactments of tribal customs and traditions. If you choose to join a guided tour, your group is led by a local Navajo guide to round out your nature trip with some cultural context.
While you're there, drive a little further southeast and stop by the Four Corners Monument, which marks the exact location where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona meet. Although the monument itself won't take too long to look at, there are a number of small shops nearby offering Native American products and Americana souvenirs.
Yosemite National Park seems like a long way from Las Vegas, but California's most visited national park is well worth the drive, depending on the time of year that you visit. From late spring to fall, it's about miles or seven hours by car to get from Vegas to Yosemite admittedly a long drive, but it's one of California's most scenic routes.
However, once the snow begins to fall, the most direct route along Tioga Pass is closed for the season and requires drivers to make some significant detours, turning the trip into a hour ordeal. Yosemite National Park offers camping, rafting, hiking, and a view of the highest waterfall in North America, Yosemite Falls.
Other attractions include Half Dome, a large slab of granite cut in half by glaciers, and the famous Mariposa Grove that is home to over sequoia trees , some of which are over 1, years old. If you're coming from Las Vegas in the warmer months, you'll pass right by one of the park's hidden gems, Tuolomne Meadows. It's the perfect pitstop for some sightseeing and backcountry hiking before continuing down to Yosemite Valley, where you can have a picnic along the Merced River, feel the mist of a waterfall, or marvel at the climbers scaling El Capitan.
It'll take you roughly seven hours to reach this breathtaking preserve, but Arches National Park is one of those natural wonders that make you stop and stare, mouth agape, at the geology of the American Southwest. Named for the dozens of naturally formed arches strewn across the park, Arches is definitely worth exploring if you have an extra few days on your trip to Las Vegas or as a pitstop en route to Colorado if you're on a road trip.
Delicate Arch is the most famous landmark in the park, a foot freestanding arch that may look familiar from all of the Utah license plates you drive by. You can also get to Arches by going through Capitol Reef National Park or along Escalante Canyon, so even though the drive is long, there's plenty of sightseeing to enjoy along your route.
Mesa Verde National Park features the ruins of the Anasazi's cliff dwellings, a series of abodes carved right into the side of a mountain that were mysteriously abandoned over 1, years ago. To look across the ravines upon the ruins or to step inside one of these ancient "pueblos" is simply remarkable. With over 4, known archeological sites and over cliff dwellings in the park, you're sure to be entertained for hours, especially if you're a fan of Native American history and culture.
Mesa Verde is miles east of Las Vegas, taking about eight hours of nonstop driving. It's the farthest park on this list, but the drive is peppered with beautiful scenery and plenty of attractions along the way, and you could easily break up the trip by spending a night in Zion National Park or Monument Valley.
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Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. With 50 miles of shoreline, the park offers multiple marinas, boating, fishing and water sports. It also caters to hikers, climbers, campers and car tours. Lakeshore Road and Northshore Road will take you around a large portion of the lake and both roads have multiple access points to the lake, although lowering water levels have closed or moved some places.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, as the area is home to thousands of desert plants and animals. Recommended for Parks because : Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides an abundance of outdoor activities, including boating, hiking, fishing and camping.
Terrisa's expert tip : A favorite local activity at any of the Lake Mead marinas is feeding the fish. Bring your own popcorn or buy some at the marina store, then toss some popcorn in the water to watch the very well-fed fish at Lake Mead mostly carp go a little crazy. This grand geological park, located 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas, is Nevada's oldest state park. Its brilliantly colored sandstone formations were generated from million years of weathering in the Mojave Desert.
In fact, the park's name comes from the vibrant appearance of sunlight on the red rocks. Evidence of ancient trees and early man are found throughout the park in areas of petrified wood and 3,year-old Native American petroglyphs. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. A visitor center acquaints folks to the on-site attractions.
Seventy-two campsites are available for an additional fee first-come, first served and come equipped with shaded tables, grills, water and restrooms. Recommended for Parks because : Valley of Fire State Park is filled with spectacular, intensely colored rock formations, ancient art and wildlife.
Terrisa's expert tip : The St. Thomas ghost town is just outside of the Valley of Fire off Northshore Road. Once covered by Lake Mead, the receding waters exposed the town's ruins in the early s. The area showcases spectacular scenery, complete with rugged red rock formations, desert vegetation and open vistas.
The visitor center can help you orient yourself to the landscape, and a gift shop and exhibits are available. While many folks opt to bike, hike or rock-climb, others make the most of the mile scenic loop, which lets you drive a picturesque circuit and offers stop-offs for photography. Still, others prefer to travel via horseback or simply enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic areas.
Recommended for Parks because : Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the home of majestic multi-colored cliffs, hidden springs and miles of hiking trails. Terrisa's expert tip : The Red Rock Scenic Loop has become such a popular place to visit that the lines to get in can stretch far down the highway, and once the area reaches capacity it's closed. If the weather is temperate, be sure to arrive early in the day to ensure you can drive the Loop.
Terrisa Meeks is a native born, life-long resident of Las Vegas. She's watched Las Vegas grow and change over the years, especially the ever-evolving Las Vegas Strip. She still enjoys hanging More About Terrisa. Follow 10Best Like 10Best. Las Vegas' best tours and excursions take the guesswork out of sight-seeing View the List.
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Exploring beyond the casino: Las Vegas' 10 best things to do View the List. Fun for zero dollars: Las Vegas' 10 best free things to do View the List. Scroll down to read more about Las Vegas' 10 best parks. Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. Photo courtesy of Ken Lund. Zion offers world-class hiking and rock climbing, but you can also explore the park leisurely with the Zion Canyon Shuttle in the busy season. There are plenty of things to see and do in Zion National Park.
Hiking is definitely one of the greatest things to do here. Additionally, there are a few abandoned homesteads and goldmines as well. Joshua Tree National Park is probably my favorite national park for camping.
Numerous campgrounds, many of which first-come first-served, dot the park, offering visitors the chance to pitch their tent amid the characteristic boulders and Joshua trees. Some of the best day desert hikes near Las Vegas, in my opinion.
The Cholla Cactus Garden brings you up and close to an expanse of prickly cacti. For a spectacular display of wildflowers , I recommend visiting this park in early-spring. My personal favorite campground is Jumbo Rocks. This is definitely one of the most remarkable national parks near Las Vegas. Here, an otherworldly landscape awaits you. Thousands of rock spires—known as hoodoos—walls, cliffs and other formations fill a gorgeous orange-colored natural amphitheater. Various overlooks line the rim, offering slightly different views and making for great sunrise and sunset spots.
You can hike down into Bryce Canyon on a variety of trails to explore the maze of rock formations from up-close. It highly recommend doing that. Arguably the most famous natural attraction in the U.
Las Vegas happens to be one of the best starting points for trips to this mind-boggling park. This is without question one of the best destinations for a Las Vegas national parks road trip.
There are plenty of things to do at the Grand Canyon , but I implore you to go beyond the sprawling tourist area in Grand Canyon Village to enjoy the breathtaking views in relative peace and quiet. I recommend walking the entire Rim Trail and taking the shuttle bus back.
Additionally, watching the sunrise or sunset over the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Its namesake, the Great Basin is one of the largest watersheds in North America, extending from Oregon to southern California and into Utah and even western Wyoming. This less-known national park lies in the heart of this vast region.
There are caves and bristlecone pine forests, lakes and valleys. Spending a night at a campground, gazing up at the Milky Way, is a top thing to do here.
Visiting one or more of these national parks close to Las Vegas will be the highlight of your trip, I promise you that. Here are a few suggested places to stay in Las Vegas before and after your national parks road trip from Las Vegas. Great roundup! It's amazing what you can find near such a sprawling city like Las Vegas.
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