Best Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas

Fiery red sandstone formations are the nucleus of this park which is a picturesque desert wonder. Having been a Nevada landmark since the 1930s, this state park is an insightful open-air classroom delineating lessons in geology, history as well as archaeology. Standing strong through hundreds of years, the park can safely be called a canvas of textured waves of red frozen in time. Riddled with sweeping canyons and rock art which dates as far back to as 2,000 years, the state park has been a shelter of the indigenous and olden Pueblo people. Stippled amid the eerie yet enigmatic expanse of the park are logs of petrified trees, natural arcs and wildflowers which breathe life into its otherwise uni-colored landscape. The park also hosts a tracery of activities like trails, hiking, camping and picnicking.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located just a few miles west of Las Vegas, is named after the deep red 3,000-foot (914.4 meters) high sandstone cliffs that are perched above the dusty wastelands of the mighty Mojave Desert that encompasses it. The site has served as ancestral homes for the tribes of Paiute, Patayan, Anasazi, San Dieguito and Pinto since 11,000 BCE and thus features a diverse and rich network of vivid petroglyphs that can be been scattered all along its canyons, making the conservation area a popular destination for admirers of Native Indian culture and traditions. An ecosystem rich in flora and fauna, the Utah desert-parsley, the Mojave yucca, the ponderosa pine, the desert bighorn sheep and the endangered desert tortoise is some of its most notable inhabitants.

This golf course is rated one of the best in the United States and best in Nevada by Golf Digest. The par-72 course is surrounded by mature trees and thousands of flowers. The greens are home to Australian wallabies and exotic birds. Originally only for high-rolling guests of MGM Mirage hotel properties, the course now books outside tee times as well. For an exhilarating game in beautiful surroundings, schedule a game here.

A great way to see the beautiful area surrounding Las Vegas is by jeep. Join the Pink Jeep Tours to see dramatic terrain and beautiful landscapes. Take a tour to the Hoover Dam and enjoy a raft ride to the base of the dam. Or explore the Grand Canyon by helicopter and see all its splendor. Incredible views, historical sites, and diverse vegetation make this tour one you'll never forget.

Nestled within close proximity to Downtown Las Vegas, Springs Preserve is a natural park and cultural center devoted to commemorating the history of Las Vegas and promoting sustainability. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the preserve is a rich repository of desert botanical gardens, museums, and galleries. It is home to several life-sized displays, exhibits, and entities centered around building a green environment. this insightful preserve also hosts classes, lectures, and workshops built around the disciplines of cooking, archaeology, sustainability, arts, crafts, cultural studies and more. Serpentine trails cleave many wetlands and lush desert terrains at this sprawling preserve which is also home to an indoor theater and a historic photo gallery. A seamless synergy of nature, education, and conservation, Springs Reserve is a noble step towards replenishing the global environment.

One of the largest parks in Las Vegas, Sunset Park is popular for festivals and picnics. Eight outdoor lighted tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, picnic areas with barbecues, dog runs and even peace and quiet can be found here. There also is a fishing pond, popular mostly with children. The fishing is year-round, and in winter the pond is stocked with rainbow trout, and catfish in summer. There is a three-fish limit and children under 12 do not need a fishing license.

Vegas makes the impossible a reality; a good example of that is this beach in the middle of the desert. This world-famous playground offers a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, a jogging track, and 2700 tons (2,449,339 kilograms) of real sand. Relax in a chair by the water, or enjoy the scenic views from the comfort of a private cabana. Depending on the season, you'll also find concerts hosted here from time to time!

It is a misconception that there is only one desert in Nevada because the mighty Mount Charleston is a heaving and breathing canopy of diversified landscapes. From waterfalls and wildflowers to snow-cloaked crags and corrugations, this magnificent mountain boasts an unparalleled and undulating topography. Burrowed deep in the enormous Mount Charleston Wilderness, the mountain is adorned with an array of crisscrossing hiking trails and a patchwork of picnic spaces. Said to be the highest in southern Nevada, the peak is most famous for its unique offering of dramatic landscapes and awe-inspiring views of the horizon, the Sierra Nevada range and other surrounding mountains. No matter what the season is, Mount Charleston makes for a great, fun-filled outdoor trip.

Evolution Expeditions offers kayak tours of some of the most scenic areas around Las Vegas, including the Hoover Dam, the Black Canyon, and Lake Mead. Whether you're a beginner or have advanced kayaking skills, these tours are suitable for you, so don't be afraid to get out into the water. If the dark casinos or busy shopping areas of Vegas aren't cutting it for you, head out and explore the natural beauty in the area with these great tours!