11 Fun Weekend Trips from Las Vegas Within 5 hours
Many people think Las Vegas is only a place to gamble and experience nightlife, but it offers so much more. Las Vegas is an incredible hub for many outdoor activities because it is near some of the most beautiful destinations in the Southwest!
I have spent quite a bit of time exploring the Southwest, and I usually fly into Las Vegas since the flights are cheaper than other airports and the drive to many destinations is only a few hours. Whether you want to explore a new national park, hike beneath beautiful mountains, or explore a new city, there is a place for everyone to enjoy near Las Vegas.
If you want to find the best places to visit near Las Vegas, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the best weekend trips from Las Vegas.
Travel Tip: Get the America the Beautiful Pass! It gets you into national parks, national forests, and national monuments for an entire year.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Weekend Trips from Las Vegas Map
The Best Weekend Trips from Las Vegas
**Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Zion National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 170 miles (3 hours)
Where to Stay: Springdale or Virgin
Pass Required: $35+ for 7 days or use an America the Beautiful Pass
Zion National Park is one of the most popular places for weekend trips from Las Vegas, and for good reason. It has one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Southwest, featuring towering red and orange mountains that you can enjoy from fun hikes or accessible viewpoints. You will find yourself constantly looking around in awe, feeling small in the best way.
Even though you can spend an entire week exploring the park, you can see most must-see attractions on a weekend. I recommend visiting for at least 2-3 days to experience everything Zion National Park has to offer.
If you want to enjoy your weekend with minimal hiking, I recommend exploring the viewpoints and easy hikes along Zion Canyon Road. The road is closed to private vehicles from March to November, but the park offers a free shuttle from the visitor center.
Riverside Walk - 2-mile walk to the entrance of the Narrows
Lower Emerald Pool - 1.5-mile hike to a small waterfall
Pa’rus Trail - bike or hike along this paved path (some of my favorite views!)
Canyon Junction Bridge - the perfect sunset spot
If you want to spend your weekend hiking, you are in luck because Zion has endless opportunities! I recommend hiking first thing in the morning because most of these trails become incredibly crowded at midday.
Zion Canyon Overlook - a short and sweet 1-mile hike with one of the best views in the park, in my opinion!
Watchman Trail - 3-mile hike to get up-close with The Watchman
The Narrows - get your feet wet as you walk through the Virgin River beneath thousand-foot-tall walls; you can hike as long or as short as you want, but most people turn around after 1-2 miles
Angels Landing - the iconic, adrenaline-pumping hike; it requires a permit, and I recommend entering the lottery as soon as it opens for the date you want to visit
No matter how you want to spend your weekend, you will quickly fall in love with Zion National Park!
Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 260 miles (4 hours)
Where to Stay: Bryce Canyon or Tropic
Pass Required: $35+ for 7 days or use an America the Beautiful Pass
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the US, for good reason. Although it is not the only place you can see hoodoos in the country, Bryce Canyon National Park has the most in a concentrated area. And yes, the views of its hoodoos are beautiful!
Spending a weekend in Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect amount of time to explore its scenic drive and hike a few trails. Trust me, you will want to hike to get up close with the hoodoos. It makes you feel small in the best way!
If you want to explore the park with minimal hiking, I recommend spending the weekend exploring the viewpoints along Bryce Canyon Road. The scenic drive has many easily accessible viewpoints with stunning views and paved pathways.
Fairyland Point
Sunrise Point and Sunset Point - you can drive to each of these or walk the 0.5-mile path in between
Inspiration Point
Bryce Point
Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point - you can also connect these to viewpoints by hiking the 1.2-mile Bristlecone Loop
If you want to include some breathtaking hikes during your weekend trip, you are in luck! Bryce Canyon has a few hiking trails that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Whether you want to hike a short and easy trail or a long trail to the base of the hoodoos, Bryce Canyon has a hike for everyone!
Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail - the most popular trail in the entire park; the 3-mile loop gives you an up-close and personal experience with the hoodoos
Fairyland Loop - 8-mile loop with stunning views that rival those along Navajo Loop
Peekaboo Loop - 5-mile loop with gorgeous views of the hoodoos
Mossy Cave Trail - easy 1.2-mile hike leading to a cool cave, waterfall, and hoodoos; this trailhead is outside the park entrance in the town of Tropic
If you have more time than a weekend, you can visit Bryce Canyon and Zion on one trip! The national parks are two hours apart, making it easy to explore both within a few days.
Grand Canyon National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: South Rim: 280 miles (4 hours) | West Rim Skywalk: 128 (2 hours)
Where to Stay: Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon Junction, or Williams
Entrance Fee: $35+ for 7 days or use the America the Beautiful Pass
Important Tips: Be careful of altitude sickness when hiking into the Grand Canyon.
One of the most iconic weekend trips from Las Vegas is to the Natural Wonder of the World, The Grand Canyon. Depending on the kind of trip you want, you can either hit the West Rim for a quick visit and a glimpse of the canyon from the famous Skywalk, or head to the South Rim for a more adventurous experience, with plenty of viewpoints and the chance to hike down into the canyon! You only really need 1 day for the West Rim and another 1-2 days to explore the South Rim.
The best viewpoints in The Grand Canyon:
South Rim: Desert Viewpoint, Grand Viewpoint, Duck on a Rock, Powell Viewpoint, Hopi Viewpoint, Mohave Viewpoint
West Rim: The Grand Canyon Skywalk
If you want to hike in the Grand Canyon:
South Kaibab Trailhead
Bright Angel Trail: 15.8 miles
There are many stop-off points on the way down with views like the upper and lower tunnels. Beware of altitude sickness if hiking beyond these points
Whichever side of the Grand Canyon you visit, you are sure to have an unforgettable trip!
Death Valley National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 140 miles (2 hours)
Where to Stay: Death Valley or Beatty
Pass Required: $30+ for 7 days or use an America the Beautiful Pass
Travel Tip: The best time to visit Death Valley is late fall and early spring to avoid the hottest seasons (summer is over 100 degrees!).
Death Valley National Park is one of the best weekend trips from Las Vegas for those who want to visit one of the most unique and beautiful national parks. Death Valley is known for having some of the hottest temperatures in the world and the lowest point in North America, but it is so much more than that!
One of the best things about Death Valley is you can see everything within a few days. The park is huge, but most must-see attractions are in one area. You can explore its scenic drive and hike its fun trails, and trust me, you will want to add at least one hike to your itinerary!
If you want to spend your weekend in Death Valley with minimal hiking, you have many easily accessible viewpoints and scenic drives to explore. The park also has a few easy trails, in case you want to enjoy a walk with breathtaking views.
Dante’s View - beautiful 360-degree views; you can also hike 1 mile to another viewpoint
Zabriskie Point - a paved path brings you to a stunning viewpoint
Badwater Basin - the lowest point in North America
Artists Drive - stunning 9-mile scenic drive
Artists Palette - the most popular viewpoint along Artists Drive
Ubehebe Crater - one of the furthest places in the park but offers a view of a crater over 1 mile long and 600 feet deep; you can also hike the 1.8-mile loop around its rim
If you want to add some hikes to your itinerary, Death Valley has a few you can choose from. The best part is no matter what trail you pick, you will get stunning views!
Natural Bridge - 0.6-mile hike to a stunning arch; I recommend turning around after the Natural Bridge because the rest of the hike is not worth it in my opinion
Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral - easily my favorite hike in the park; the 3-mile hike offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes
Badlands Loop - 2.6-mile loop starting at Zabriskie Point with beautiful views of the badlands
Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes Trail - Death Valley also has sand dunes you can explore
Whether you want to spend your weekend hiking through incredible landscapes or simply exploring a new national park, you will love spending a weekend in Death Valley National Park!
Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
Distance from Las Vegas: 36 miles (35 minutes)
Where to Stay: Las Vegas or Boulder City
Entrance Fee: Free! You just have to pay $10+ for parking.
Visiting Hoover Dam and Lake Mead from Las Vegas is one of the easiest trips because it is about 30 minutes away. In addition to epic views of the Hoover Dam, the area offers incredible hikes through old railway tunnels and trails that take you down into the canyon near the dam.
Although you can visit in a day, I recommend extending your time to explore the unique hikes and spend some time on the water, boating, or kayaking through the calm, beautiful waters of Lake Mead.
Best Things To Do At Hoover Dam & Lake Mead:
Explore Hoover Dam’s Bridge, where you can view the dam from above and stand in two places (& time zones) simultaneously–Arizona and Nevada!
Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail: Bike, walk, or jog through Lake Mead to Hoover Dam on this 8.2-mile loop.
Goldstrike Canyon Trail: Hike down into the canyon near Hoover Dam with this challenging 5.3-mile loop
Best Things To Do Nearby Hoover Dam & Lake Mead:
Go boating on Lake Mead!
Explore the nearby Boulder City – a small charming town, known as the gateway to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
Visit the Nevada State Railroad Museum
The Hoover Dam is one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders that you do not want to miss!
Red Rock Canyon
Distance from Las Vegas: 20 miles (30 minutes)
Where to Stay: Western Las Vegas
Pass Required: $20+ per day or use an America the Beautiful Pass Timed Entry Required: If you plan to explore the scenic drive where most must-see attractions are, you need to make a timed entry reservation in advance from October through May.
If you want to visit somewhere close to Las Vegas with stunning views and fun hikes, Red Rock Canyon is for you! Red Rock Canyon is easily one of the most beautiful areas near Las Vegas and should be on every bucket list. Its 200,00 acres offer something for everyone to enjoy, including hiking, rock climbing, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
One of the best things to do is explore its scenic drive. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from easily accessible viewpoints throughout the park. If you do not want to hike (although I highly recommend at least one trail!) you can enjoy short walks, including to the Petroglyph Wall.
If you want to hike during your weekend getaway, the park has miles of trails you can explore. You can hike to interesting rock features, the base of the mountains, or the top of viewpoints.
Calico Tanks Trail - 2.4-mile hike leading to beautiful views looking toward Las Vegas
Turtlehead Peak Trail - 4.6-mile hike leading to a breathtaking viewpoint of the park
Ice Box Canyon Trail - this hike is my favorite in the area; the 2-mile trail brings you to the base of the mountains, making you feel small in the best way
Kraft Mountain Loop - another one of my favorite hikes; the 3.6-mile loop offers incredible views of the surrounding landscapes.
Red Rock Canyon is the perfect place to spend a weekend near Las Vegas, especially if you want a shorter drive for your trip.
Valley of Fire State Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 50 miles (1 hour)
Where to Stay: Eastern Las Vegas or Mesquite
Entrance Fee: $15+ per day
Note: The park is only open from sunrise to sunset.
Valley of Fire State Park is a great place for a weekend trip from Las Vegas if you do not want to travel too far. You could even stay in Las Vegas and travel to the park each day on your trip since it is only an hour away.
Valley of Fire State Park is the largest and oldest state park in Nevada and has some of the most stunning landscapes near Las Vegas. I know you will love exploring it!
If you do not want to hike, the state park has many opportunities to enjoy the landscapes from easily accessible viewpoints! I recommend driving the Valley of Fire Highway to Mouse’s Tank Road to enjoy some of the best views.
The Beehives - cool rock formations
Arch Rock - a natural arch
Atlatl Rock - a quick walk up staircases to a wall of petroglyphs
Mouse’s Tank Trail - a short and sweet hike leading to a natural rock basin
Seven Sisters - rock formations
Elephant Rock - a quick walk to a natural arch
If you want to hike (which I highly recommend), you will be rewarded with breathtaking views! Valley of Fire has many trails for all levels, and I recommend adding at least one to your itinerary.
Rainbow Vista - 1-mile hike with a panoramic viewpoint
White Domes Trail - 1.1-mile loop exploring a slot canyon
Fire Wave Trail - 1.3-mile hike with arguably the coolest landscapes of red and white sandstone
Fire Wave, White Domes, and Seven Wonders Loop - my favorite in the park; the 3-mile hike combines a few of the best trails
For an epic weekend trip from Las Vegas, you could spend a day in Valley of Fire State Park and the next in Red Rock Canyon.
Kanab, Utah
Distance from Las Vegas: 200 miles (3 hours)
Where to Stay: Kanab or Orderville
Kanab is a classic western town located in southern Utah, surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs and just a short drive from the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. If you are looking for a more adventurous weekend away and want to skip the crowds at places like Zion or the Grand Canyon, Kanab is the perfect spot.
Sled or snowboard down the soft, coral-colored sand dunes, wander through a cave that feels like a dragon’s belly, or explore some epic slot canyons with way fewer crowds than Antelope Canyon. Kanab is full of adventure, with spots that feel more off-the-beaten-path and often quieter than the usual traveler hotspots.
Some of the best things to do in Kanab:
Coral Pink Sand Dunes (State Park): A stretch of soft, coral-colored sand dunes perfect for exploring, sandboarding, or even sledding.
Belly of The Dragon: A 1.8-mile stretch of cave exploring, depending on how far you want to venture into the cave!
Peekaboo Trailhead: An 8.2-mile hike through a long slot canyon.
The Sand Caves: A 1.2-mile hike through an old sand mine, filled with cool arches and rocky views.
If you are looking for a quieter spot but still want to experience iconic sights like slot canyons and sand dunes, Kanab is the place for you!
Page, Arizona
Distance from Las Vegas: 272 miles (4.25 hours)
Where to Stay: Page, of course!
Page, Arizona, renowned as the gateway to the Wave and Antelope Canyon, is home to much more than just these Instagram-worthy spots. The city sits between canyons, surrounded by red rock formations and nothing but vast openness in every direction. The Colorado River winds through the canyon slots, flowing into Lake Powell, where you can boat, fish, or even paddleboard among the towering canyons.
I recommend spending at least 1-2 full days in Page to explore the different hiking trails in the area and breathtaking viewpoints. However, Page has enough to do nearby to keep you busy for an entire week!
Some of the best things to do in Page:
Horseshoe Bend: An easy 1.5-mile trail that leads to an overlook of the iconic Horseshoe Bend – a place within Glen Canyon, where the Colorado River makes a horseshoe-shaped curve around towering rock cliffs.
Wahweap Viewpoint: This incredible overlook in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has a 360-degree view overlooking Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and the surroundings of Page. There is a small picnic table area for you to enjoy lunch while you take in the expansiveness of Page.
Lake Powell: A popular boating, kayaking, and fishing spot located with Glen Canyon.
The Wave: An incredible sandstone formation with colorful red patterns and smooth, flowing curves that make it feel like you are walking through another world. You must enter a lottery to get a permit to hike this incredible trail.
Antelope Canyon: An otherworldly famous slot canyon. Due to its popularity, you can only access these slot canyons through private tours.
Other Things To Do Near Page:
Toadstool Hoodoos: 1.7-mile hike
White Pockets: 1.2-mile hike
The Grand Canyon
Page is the perfect getaway whether you are looking for an epic hike or a weekend away boating on the water.
Joshua Tree National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 218 miles (3.5 hours)
Where to Stay: Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, or camp within the park
Pass Required: $30+ for 7 days or use an America the Beautiful Pass
Things to remember: I recommend getting up early to beat the crowds and the heat. Most of the trails are fully exposed, and it gets HOT during the day. Also, be aware of rattlesnakes that inhabit the park. The rocks are so fun to scramble and play on, but beware of where you are putting your hands and feet!
Joshua Tree National Park sits in a unique part of Southern California. When visiting, you do not get to experience just one desert; you get to experience TWO! The park is split between the Mojave Desert to the northwest and the Colorado Desert to the southeast.
You can tell which desert you are in by looking at the surrounding plant life. Do you see tons of the Dr. Seuss-looking Joshua Trees? Then you’re in the Mojave Desert. No Joshua Trees but lots of Ocotillos? You’re in the Colorado desert!
When visiting, expect to see lots of lizards, an abundance of plant life, and so many rocks of varying shapes and sizes. It feels like nature’s playground! If you are lucky, you may see bighorn sheep, too!
You could spend a lot of time here (especially if you are a fan of rock climbing!), but I recommend at least 2-3 days to get the best experience. If you are into camping, I highly recommend the Cottonwood Campground in the southeastern part of the park. We loved our campsite and were treated to magical sunsets, coyotes howling in the morning, and flush toilets!
If you are not into hiking far distances, you will love Joshua Tree! Many trails are flat and short, making it easy to explore them for those with children or those who may not be as interested in long, strenuous hikes.
Keys View – paved path to a scenic overlook with sweeping views of the San Andreas Fault, Coachella Valley, and the Salton Sea.
Hidden Valley – an easy hike where you may be able to watch rock climbers in action. Large parking lot with lots of picnic areas.
Cap Rock – short, flat stroll weaving through rock formations and Joshua Trees. Another spot you may see rock climbers!
Arch and Heart Rock – a wide, flat trail that leads to a heart-shaped rock and an arched rock, but do not forget to look around and find fun shapes in the surrounding rocks. You can also scramble around, which is fun!
Cholla Cactus Garden – paved path through an expansive field of Chollas
If you want more challenging or longer hikes, Joshua Tree has those, too!
Mastodon Peak Trail – this was my favorite hike in the park! If you are staying at the Cottonwood campground, the trailhead leaves from here, or you can park at Cottonwood Springs and start there. You will not find any Joshua Trees here, but the trail is surrounded by towering ocotillos! You will also come across many other beautiful plants, old mining ruins, cool rocks, and Mastodon Peak, which you can scramble to the top of.
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail – a winding trail through the desert with lots of ups and downs, but you are rewarded with a gorgeous Oasis at the end of the trail, offering a perfect snack spot.
Hall of Horrors – Not long, but very narrow and not for the faint of heart. This is a popular trail in the park. Prepare for a tight squeeze!
Ryan Mountain – One of the more popular trails in the park, but this gives you incredible views from above. Expect a large elevation gain.
It is easy to fall in love with Joshua Tree, from the whimsical trees and rocks to the colorful plants and lizards. No matter how long your visit is, it will leave you wanting more!
Submitted by Susan from The Adventures of Suze
Santa Catalina Island, California
Distance from Las Vegas: 280 miles of driving plus a 16 mile (1 hr) ferry
Where to Stay: Two Harbors or Avalon or the reservable campsites!
Important Information: Whether you’re roughing it in a campsite or enjoying town life, Catalina Island is an amazing place to feel like you’ve escaped to a whole different country. This island just off the coast of LA County offers rugged hikes, great wildlife watching, and other adventures.
To get to Catalina from the mainland, you’ll need to take a ferry. Depending on the time of year and where you want to go, ferry locations and schedules vary. From Las Vegas, the ferry from Newport Beach or Dana Point is closest by about 10-15 min. However, if you’re visiting in the off season (October to March), only the ferry from San Pedro runs to Two Harbors as well as Avalon. Make sure to check ferry seasonality and locations depending on where on the island you’re visiting and book ferries first.
If you want to camp on Catalina Island, be sure to book campsites early in the year as they are very popular. If you’re going in January, campsite bookings open Dec 1 at midnight PST. If you’re going Feb-Dec, campsite bookings open Jan 1 at midnight PST.
If you want to enjoy your weekend with minimal hiking, live a life of luxury in Avalon. This small town feels like a coastal European city, with fancy architecture, a casino, and local shops. Use Avalon as a jumping off point for adventure with kayaking tours to spot the aquatic wildlife or Hummers tours to follow the local bison herd. Experience the island from a different angle by booking a tour at Aerial Adventures, the island’s ropes course, or experience an adrenaline rush while learning more about the island flora and fauna from guides at Zip Line Eco Tour.
For a shorter hikes, check out the following:
2.4 miles out and back to Pebbly Beach from Avalon via Pebbly Beach Road
0.8 mile Avalon Bay Trail
Do any section of the TCT for some great views but beware that there is significant elevation gain.
If you want to spend your weekend hiking, consider hiking the 38-mile Trans Catalina Trail. This amazing backpacking trail should be on every hiker’s bucket list. Surround yourself with incredible views and wake up on the beach on some of the most beautiful campsites in the country. At only 38 miles, it’s a great beginner backpacking trip and loops around the entire island.
Although Las Vegas is known for its nightlife and casinos, it is near many of the most beautiful places in the Southwest. This guide has everything you need to know about the best weekend trips from Las Vegas!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
If you want to find places to visit near Las Vegas, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about the best weekend trips from Las Vegas.
Pin it for later!
