Things to do / Travel Guide
It's safe to say that, shockingly enough, were Las Vegas not located in the Las Vegas region, you'd still want to visit purely on account of all the outdoors opportunities there are. All in the southeast tip of the state of Nevada, you've got Lake Mojave, Lake Mead - the largest man-made lake in the U.S., the Mojave Desert, the Spring Mountains, the Valley of Fire, and more. As it is, if you're planning on visiting the region for some gambling and flashy city fun, and you also love the outdoors, you owe it to yourself to get out of the glitz and glamour and explore the land, which was there long before the city, and which will probably be there long after.
Water Activities near Las Vegas
Most of the outdoors fun the Las Vegas region has to offer will be centered around Lake Mead, to the east of Las Vegas, and the Spring Mountains, to the city's west. Let's talk about all that Lake Mead and its environs have to offer, shall we? There are plenty of opportunities for boating on the lake, such as water skiing, swimming, taking in the spectacular vistas, or just relaxing and letting the world float by. The lake, all 250 square miles of it, lies on the Colorado River, and was created by the building of the Hoover Dam.
Lake Mead is bursting with fish, and the stock is so good that it's home to some of the top freshwater sport fishing in the nation. Species you can reel in include rainbow trout, large mouth and striped bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Even some carp are occasionally caught in the lake. Lake Mojave, downstream from Lake Mead, is another favorite fishing spot. Large- and smallmouth bass, crappie, and rainbow trout are all here for the catching.
Land-based Activities near Vegas
The most back-to-basics way to explore this region is with your own two feet, and in this pursuit there's more than enough variety to choose from, both in the Spring Mountains and around Lake Mead. There are some brilliant hikes in Valley of Fire State Park, where water carved deep canyons in red sedimentary sandstone. Native Americans considered the area holy ground, and you can see for yourself all the ancient petroglyphs.
Over on the western side of Las Vegas are the fantastic Spring Mountains. Mt. Charleston, at almost 12,000 feet, is the highest mountain in the range, which is a perfect place for a day hike suitable for everyone in the family. The mountain itself is very tall, more than 8,000 feet from base to peak, so you can see miles of beautiful alpine scenery in all directions. On a clear day you can even see Las Vegas!
Gambling and rock climbing go together like cheese and wine. Maybe it's the risk, and the fact that the more the risk, the more the potential return. It might also be because Las Vegas, the undisputed hub of U.S. gambling, is so close to Red Rock Canyon, one of the world's central hotspots for climbing. The jagged red sandstone cliffs and peaks offer over 1,000 routes, and the views at the top simply cannot be beat. Also, Calico Hills is one of the most popular climbs in the area.
In addition to climbing, Red Rock Canyon offers first-class mountain biking. Head to Blue Diamond; the hard-packed desert floor makes the tight and twisty trails very fast, and they roll on for miles. Biking trips can last anywhere from two hours to a full day, and you're always looking up at the imposing Red Rock Canyon - not to be trifled with!
One other activity Las Vegas is known for, besides gambling, is golf. With dozens of courses in the region, Las Vegas is considered by many as one of the most enjoyable and scenic places to shoot 18 holes in the world. Many of the best courses are connected to casino resorts directly, so the service is often as great as the golf. Shadow Creek Golf Club is in fact considered the best in the world by none other than the Robb Report. These courses blend desert scenery with the glamour of this desert town.
Las Vegas from Above
All year round, the usually-clear skies above Las Vegas allow you to lift off and take the region in from a bird's eye view. Indeed, if you're looking to see the greater Las Vegas area from a new vantage point, then head for the clouds on a hot-air balloon trip or a helicopter tour. The region isn't lacking in outfitters.
Winter Activities near Las Vegas
By the way, if you're in Vegas for the winter, you can actually go skiing – you, right in the middle of the desert! Las Vegas Ski is open from November to April, and it offers a terrain park and halfpipe. It's in the gorgeous Spring Mountains.
All this goes to show that even in one of the most built-up regions in the U.S., there's great outdoors fun to be had just over the next hill. So get out of your hotel, take a break from the fantastic room service, and make your way to the region's beautiful and challenging lakes, canyons, mountains. Or head to the green for “tee time.” Then be back in your hotel for a late dinner and another hand.
Outdoor Recreation in Las Vegas, Lake Mead and the Nevada desert
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
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