hiking near las vegas

Hiking Near Las Vegas

Most visitors to Las Vegas have no idea how close they are to some incredible hiking opportunities. In fact, as far as scenic wonder and otherworldly terrain goes, the hiking near Vegas is actually some of the best hiking in Nevada. When you go hiking near Las Vegas, you’ll enjoy all the beauty of national recreation areas, plus easy access to popular trails and visitor centers that provide guidance and advice if it’s your first visit.

With areas like Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon so close to Las Vegas, southern Nevada is rich with scenic wonder and hiking options for every level of experience.

Visit The Top Hiking Trails in Las Vegas

Nevada Map

Season

All Seasons

Region

Southern

There’s no doubt Las Vegas is one of the flashiest, action-packed places on Earth, but we guarantee you’ll find just as much action by putting boots on the ground and hitting the hiking trails that surround the city. Don’t believe it? Head to the nearby Spring Mountains or Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where hundreds of thousands of wide-open acres welcome those who seek a more natural variety of Silver State adventure. There’s even a full-blown itinerary for intrepid wanderers like you: the Neon to Nature road trip.

hiking around las vegas
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
hiking near vegas
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Plan Ahead When Hiking Around Vegas

Visitors to southern Nevada can confirm: it gets hot down here. Which is great news for off-season travelers looking for a little solitude on the hiking trails. Winter and the shoulder seasons are best for hiking around Las Vegas, as are the cooler portions of the day in summer (particularly early mornings before the sun starts baking the desert floor). You should bring extra water and sunscreen, and take the usual precautions as you explore terrain that’s new to you. Always let someone know where you’re headed and when you’ll be back, too. And, because Nevada is home to many critters (not all nice), stay aware of your surroundings as you explore our desert trails.  

So, what beckons just outside the city? Here are some of the most popular trails in the Las Vegas area.


hiking trails in las vegas

Fire Wave Hike – Valley of Fire State Park

Explosions of color greet hikers on this world-famous trek through Valley of Fire State Park that’s 1.5 miles long (out and back). Bring your good camera or GoPro for this one! Plan to visit outside of summer, as the trail closes June through September for heat safety.

Rainbow Vista Hike and Fire Canyon Overlook – Valley of Fire State Park

Also located within the Valley of Fire State Park, Rainbow Vista is a one-mile out-and-back hike that brims with color and is suitable for all skill levels. You can drive up Fire Canyon Road for more unbelievable sights, including Silica Dome.

fire canyon overlook

White Domes – Valley of Fire State Park

Just like it sounds, this slot canyon trail features lighter shades of white, brown, and red, making for a pleasing morning or afternoon of exploration on a 1.1 mile loop.

white domes trail
White Domes
calico hills tanks red rock canyon
Calico Tanks
John Harrison

Calico Tanks Trail – Red Rock Canyon

Challenge is the keyword for this 2.2 mile hike in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The natural steps found here can be difficult to navigate, but with a little patience and ingenuity (crawling on all fours, anyone?), it’s quite doable and part of why it’s so popular.


ice box canyon red rock

Ice Box Canyon – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Just over two miles, the Ice Box Canyon hike in Red Rock Canyon is ripe with scenic beauty. We’re talking green scrub and dramatic brown canyon walls that rise to meet the blue Nevada sky on your way to seasonal waterfalls. Some scrambling over boulders and rocks required!

Calico Hills – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Talk about dramatic contrast. When you see the red rocks in front of the brown and green hills that stand sentinel over them, you’ll be glad you hiked this area. With a number of parking and access options, you can hike anywhere from 2-6 miles.

calico hills red rock canyon

Lake Mead Railroad Trail

Visiting Lake Mead? This area brims with history, including former railroad tracks used to bring construction supplies to Hoover Dam that are now well-maintained (and must-experience) trails. Wheelchair accessible and bike friendly, everyone in your group can enjoy this recreation area just outside Las Vegas.

lake mead railway trail
Lake Mead Railroad Trail
Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail
Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail

Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail

This hike isn’t for everyone – it requires rock scrambling and rope climbing – but the views descending into Gold Strike Canyon and along the Colorado River are stunning (as are the soaks). The nearby Arizona Hot Springs Trail is similarly strenuous but rewarding. Both trails close May through September due to the high heat.

mount charleston hiking trail

U.S. Forest Service

Mount Charleston Hiking Trails

If it’s elevation gain you seek, head straight to Mount Charleston. Most of the trails here start at more than 6,000 feet of elevation, and some take you all the way up to Charleston Peak (at nearly 12,000 feet!). Mary Jane Falls is another popular hike that brings you to cooler temperatures and waterfalls.

#NVAdventure

Wanna let more Nevada-lovers hike vicariously through you? Use #TravelNevada and share your fave Nevada trails. If we love your photo, look for it here!

Walking through the narrows πŸ₯Ύ

I’ve been wanting to visit this place for a while now, but the last time I tried going was after a wash came through and made it difficult to get out there. This time I was finally able to go, and it did not disappoint. What’s even crazier is that this place is about 1 hour outside of vegas!! 

πŸ“Anniversary Narrows, NV 
πŸš— 4x4 recommended (I have AWD and no issues)

#nevada #travelnevada #roam #explore #adventure #anniversarynarrows #lasvegas #vegas #desert #hiddengems
170 Miles around the Lake Tahoe Basin in the Sierra Nevada and Carson ranges of California and Nevada. What an experience thru hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail with squitay94. Trip report to follow. 
#TRT #tahoerimtrail #hikeca #hikenevada #backpacking #longdistancehiking #adventure #optoutside
#california #nevada #vansickle #vansicklebistatepark #tahoerimtrail #hikecalifornia #hikenevada #laketahoe #laketahoeview
Find someone who holds your hand as you walk through the woods together. ❀
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#wanderlust  #hikenevada #photooftheday #picoftheday #instago  #keepitwild #optoutside #getoutside #wildernessculture #lifeofadventure #liveoutdoors #makemoments #exploremore #stayandwander #happypeoplehike #lovelifeoutsidenevada #vegaslife #womenwhohike #wishyouwerewest #westisbest  #travelgram #liveunscripted  #incrediblewest #hikingculture #choosemountains #findyourpark
Happy Memorial Day!!! πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ I hope everyone has a fun and safe day! I’m heading out to Sedona, Arizona today to car camp for a week 🏜
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I spent my Memorial Day Weekend hiking A LOT! I started this hike at 4:30am and watched the sun rise over Las Vegas β˜€οΈ In 4-5 hours I did 7.4 miles with 2,000ft of elevation gain! For me being out of shape from a month or two of not hiking, I’m happy to be jumping right back into it πŸ’ͺ
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What did you do this weekend?
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Shirt from hive.and.lotus hive.and.lotus.apparel 🀍
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#happymemorialday #happyhiker #happyhiking #happyhikers #lasvegaslocals #lasvegashiking #hikenevada #hikelasvegas #hikinglasvegas #explorenevada #travelnevada #nevadadesert #mountainclimbing #mountainpeak #mountainsummit #blackmountain #blackmountaintrail #leavenotrace #hikinggirl #hikingwomen #hikinggirls #girlswhohike hikinggirls explore_nevada travelnevada
Happy 4th from Las Vegas β˜€οΈ πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 🎰 PC πŸ“Έ: nicklesnau #hikenevada #maryjanefalls
Another Wildflower view. These things are popping all over the place on the north facing slopes at elevation.

#nevada #nevadaphile #exploreNevada #nevadasky #getoutside #Wilderness #travelnevada #howtonevada #nvmag #northernnevada #backpacking #outdoors #basinandrange #valleys #mountainranges #dfmi #homemeansnevada #nevadaoutdoors #optoutside #hiking #camping #wildflowers #flowers #nevadawildflowers #elevation #nature
Views πŸš‚ 
#lakemead #hikenevada #beautifuldestinations #hikemoreworryless #sheisnotlost #nevada #vegas #bouldercity #vegaslocal #photooftheday #wanderlust #photography #thegreatoutdoors #theglobewanderer #letsgosomewhere
πŸ“π™ƒπ™žπ™¨π™©π™€π™§π™žπ™˜ π™π™–π™žπ™‘π™§π™€π™–π™™ π™ƒπ™žπ™ π™žπ™£π™œ π™π™§π™–π™žπ™‘ | 
π—•π—Όπ˜‚π—Ήπ—±π—²π—Ώ π—–π—Άπ˜π˜†, 𝗑𝗩
The rail-trail offers panoramic views of the Lake Mead. The trail leads to five railroad tunnels on its way toward Hoover Dam. 
After the dam was completed in 1935, the railroad ceased operation, and in 1962 the tracks were removed; the trail opened in 1995.
Do you enjoy learning about your state’s history? 
#travellocal #travelnevada #historicrailroadtrail
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