Nature & Neon – Las Vegas & Southern Nevada

West Rim – The closest rim to Vegas and the Hoover Dam, this area of the Canyon is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe (because you are on the Hualapai Reservation, National Park passes are not valid here). They offer free shuttle buses from the parking lot to the visitor area. Fun things to do here are: the Skywalk offering unparralled views from its U-shaped steel and glass walkway extending 70 feet over the West Rim; one and two-day white water rafting expeditions on the Colorado River inside the Canyon; Zipline (with two runs offering 3.200 feet of zip line, up to 40 mph, and 500 feet above the floor of a side canyon; a combined helicoptor and pontoon tour; and, hiking and biking trails. Exhibits on the history and culture of the Hualapai Tribe, as well as dining and shopping from goods and art created by the Tribe are available at this Rim.

South Rim – Stop at the Grand Canyon Village Visitor Center to plan your visit. Don’t miss Grand Canyon Village, scenic and historic Hermit Road (7 miles), South Rim Trail, Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Havasu Falls, Whitmore Canyon Overlook, Horseshoe Bend, and the popular 25-mile Dessert View Drive. There are plenty of opportunities for private guided tours, hikes, rafting, mule-rides, and more. For a more detailed guide to the South Rim, check out the Grand Canyon stop on the Soaking Up Sun & Sights in Arizona GenieTrip.

North Rim – At a much higher elevation than the other rims, the quieter and more remote North Rim offers milder summer temperatures but is closed for the winter months to cars and RVs due to road conditions. Stop at the North Rim Visitor Center, Bright Angel Point, North Kaibab Trail, and Roosevelt Point. Dramatic Mount Trumball Drive is a “must”!

Tour Inside the Dam – Behind the scenes tours are offered daily inside the dam and/or the power plant tunnels. The tours will greatly enhance your appreciation of the dam, and we highly recommend them.

Visit the Hoover Dam Museum – Immerse yourself in the history of the dam as you walk through wonderfully narrated exhibits and get a 360-degree view of the Dam, Colorado River, and Lake Mead from the Observation Deck.

Tickets – Unfortunately, National Park and Federal Recreation Lands passes are not accepted here. Walking across the dam is free, however!

Water Activities on Lake Mead – The area of Lake Mead near the dam is the busiest and most amenity-rich area of the lake. Boat rentals, kayak tours, and boat tours of Lake Mead are all good options. There are several marinas for boat launch, charters and rentals.

Visit Boulder City – Nearby Boulder City has many fun activities, dining options, museums, and shops. Consider visiting the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum, the Nevada State Railroad Museum. and Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum.

Hiking – Valley of Fire – There are almost too many good hikes of all levels to pick our favorites. Consider the following trails (in ascending order of length): Elephant Rock, Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse’s Tank, Pink Canyon, White Domes, Rainbow Vista and Fire Canyon Overlook, Fire Wave, Seven Wonders Loop, Pinnacles Loop, and Natural Arch. Another resource for selecting trails is The Complete Guide to Valley of Fire State Park Hikes.

Scenic Drives – Valley of Fire – The Valley of Fire Scenic Byway is the main scenic drive running through the park. Both White Dome Scenic Drive (also known as Mouse’s Tank Road) and Silica Domes Road offer stunning vistas as well.

Scenic Towns in Moapa Valley – Wedged between northern Lake Mead and Valley of Fire State Park, is the Moapa Valley with several scenic small towns and the Lost City Museum which is built on the actual prehistoric site of the ancestral Puebloans, the Lost City Museum tells the stories of Nevada’s first permanent residents between AD 200 to AD 1200. The museum was built to preserve the archaeological treasures of towns and communities lost by the Hoover Dam’s flooding of Lake Mead. Also check out the St. Thomas Ghost Town which was once under 60 feet of Lake Mead’s water. With the historic drought, the town Is now visible. Consider driving a car on the three-mile road.

Rock Climbing – If your passion is rock climbing, Valley of Fire State Park won't disappoint. With its multi-colored sandstone walls and towering cliffs, it's an ideal spot for experienced climbers looking for a thrilling new challenge. There are numerous routes ranging from beginner-friendly to expert-level difficulty, so there's something for everyone here! And best of all, you get unparalleled views while scaling these impressive cliffsides. It doesn't get much better than that! Check with the Visitor Center to find the best places where rock climbing is allowed.

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge – North of Valley of Fire State Park is the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Spanning only 103 acres with wetlands, forests and desert scrubland, this beautiful refuge is home to over 200 species of birds, rare reptiles, and amphibians, as well as other wildlife such as coyotes and jackrabbits. You can even spot bighorn sheep at certain times of the year! With plenty of hiking trails available throughout the refuge offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape, it’s no wonder it’s a popular spot among nature-lovers. There are also educational programs offered at various times throughout the year if you’d like to learn more about the local wildlife and environment. The refuge is open May-August and with limited hours, so check their website before you visit.

Boating, Watersports & Fishing on Lake Mead – Echo Bay Campground is the location of the water-based activities in this area of Lake Mead. For those who love boating and water sports, there's plenty of access to Lake Mead – one of America's largest man-made reservoirs – as well as nearby Lake Mohave and several smaller lakes in the area. Due to low water levels at Lake Mead, boaters may not access the boat launch but can put boats in the water on the shore. You can rent boats or bring your own kayaks and canoes for exploring coves, lagoons, and islands. There are also fishing opportunities for those looking for some angling action.

Fishing on Lake Mead – fishing opportunities abound on Lake Mead and the Colorado River.

Hunting – Lake Mead National Recreation area allows hunting and trapping in designated areas with proper permits.

The Strip – The Vegas Strip (technically Las Vegas Boulevard) speaks for itself. It is the largest of the two main hotel and entertainment areas in Las Vegas (the other lesser visited area is Downtown Las Vegas). There are massive hotels with massive casinos, shops, restaurants, and entertainment crammed in on the four miles of The Strip. Check out the Bellagio Fountains, the Venetian Resort’s Grand Canal, Caeser's Palace shopping and entertainment, the Linq High Roller Observation Wheel and Fly Linq zipline, the ultra-posh Wynn Resort, and the The Big Apple Coaster and Arcade at the New York New York Hotel. Some shows in the casinos can be quite pricey but there are discounted same day tickets available. Many of the second-tier shows are also considerably less expensive. There is a free monorail with stops along The Strip.

Shows and Entertainment – Entertainment in Vegas is top notch, frequently with prices to match. Choose from magicians, comedy, tribute, review, musicals, acrobatics and all sorts of musical acts. Caesars Palace often has major headliners, and Cirque de Soleil’s many shows (which can be pricey) will knock your socks off and change forever your idea of a circus! Check the Vegas.com website to see what is available during your planned visit. Tix4 Tonight offers same day tickets at a steep discount.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – About 15 minutes from the Strip is the natural gem of Red Rock Canyon, spanning 10,000 acres. It has a wonderful one-way 13-mile scenic drive, hiking trails, plants, wildlife, and inspiring geology. Stop by the Visitor Center for information, a guide book and gift shop, and both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Timed reservations are required October 1 – May 31. If you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, entrance is free.

Tours – There are plenty of tours of the main attractions of Las Vegas, such as history, food, Segway, bar, night and even donut tours. Many visitors who want to see the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon choose to take a private day tour to see both. In the other GenieTrips, we highlight the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon as separate stops.

Freemont Street Experience – Several miles from the action on The Strip is downtown Las Vegas, which is older, more retro, and often less expensive than the glistening Strip. Freemont Street was the first paved road in Las Vegas and was the first to get electricity (from the Hoover Dam) resulting in its nickname of “Glitter Gulch,” due to the invasion of electric lights in 1937. The Freemont Street Experience occupies the five western most blocks of Freemont Street. It is a pedestrian mall with tons of dining, casinos, hotels, and entertainment options. It has free concerts nightly and an amazing light and sound show Viva Vision on the world’s largest video screen every night. The Slotzilla Zipline is a 12-story slot machine-inspired zipline both kids and adults will enjoy! You can also check out the nearby Mob Museum (the national museum of organized crime and law enforcement housed in a former U.S. Post Office and Courthouse building) and the historic Golden Gate Hotel & Casino (the first hotel in Vegas). Many consider the Mob Museum the best museum in Nevada.

Museums – Be sure to check out The Mob Museum, The Neon Museum Las Vegas, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Pinball Hall of Fame Museum, and Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.

Kid Friendly Activities – The list of fun for kids is long and diverse but we are highlighting a few of the most popular ones. Besides the museums listed above, kids will also enjoy the massive arcade at Circus Circus, the world’s largest heavy equipment playground Dig This, Speed Vegas (offering exotic car racing, go-karts and off-road driving options), High Roller Observation Wheel and Zipline at The Linq, the Medieval themed arcade rides at the Excalibur Las Vegas and one of the many waterparks.

Day Trips to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead & the Grand Canyon – If you are short on time, consider one of the private all-day tours (by bus, helicopter or plane) from Las Vegas instead of making the long drive to one of the rims (see below) and short drives to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. There are far too many private tour companies to list!

Furnace Creek Visitor Center – The heart of information and services is Furnace Creek where you can get information, chat with Park Rangers, buy staples, eat, get gas, pay entrance fees, and stay at the Furnace Creek Campground. The historic and charming Inn at Death Valley offers high-end accommodations and a good restaurant as well. This is a great place to start and plan your Death Valley adventure.

Artists Drive – This 9-mile scenic drive offers colorful vistas. The highlight is the vibrant Artists Palette. There are strict length limits of 25 feet due to the steep and windy paved roads.

Zabriskie Point- This overlook is near the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and offers panoramic views of the badlands below. Sunrises here are dramatic.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes -Thanks to their easy accessibility, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are one of the most visited areas of this park. These mesmerizing dunes offer fantastic photo ops as well as opportunities for sandboarding.

Badwater Basin – At over 280 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin holds the record as the lowest point in the U.S. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to capture stunning images of reflections on this basin’s salty water.

Dante’s View – Perched on the Black Mountains, Dante’s View is one of the top-rated lookout points in Death Valley. Sunrise and sunset are two of the best and most dramatic times to visit.

The Racetrack – The Racetrack refers to a dry lakebed in Death Valley that contains legendary “racing” rocks. Scientists believe that the mystery of these often-large rocks moving is caused by an unusual combination of rain and wind moving them. The road to The Racetrack is rough and requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Back Country Driving – Death Valley boasts more roads than any other National Park. It has close to 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads which provide amazing opportunities for (on-road) back country driving! Be prepared for extreme heat and your GPS not working due to remote conditions.

Biking – All roads allowing cars are open for biking. It’s a great place for biking since the terrain is fairly flat.

Hiking – Death Valley has dozens of hiking trails to choose from, at all levels of difficulty. Winter, spring, and fall are the most comfortable times to hike, given the extreme heat in the summer months. Some of the most popular trails are: Badwater Basin Salt Flats, Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral; Mosaic Canyon, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Star Gazing – Far from city lights, Death Valley has the highest darkness ranking (Gold) from the International Dark-Sky Association. The park recommends Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater Basin and Ubehebe Crater as some of the best places for night-sky viewing.