"Best Day Trips From Las Vegas" - As Seen on CBS Las Vegas Now
- Christianne Klein
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 1
In case you missed us on CBS Las Vegas Now today, we talked about some of the best day trips from Las VegasĀ - and one of the biggest surprises for many people is just how many incredible destinations are within just a few hoursā drive of the city.
One of my biggest travel planning tips is that a great day trip is all about timing and driving distance. We always plan day trips based on how early we can leave, plus how long weāll be in the car. Day trips are bite-sized trips that allow you to get a feel for a place without the hassle of overnight stays. Every location on this list could be a big vacation, but this is a great way to get a sense for where you may want to come back for a longer visit. For me, the max time in the car for a true day trip is about 2.5 to 3 hours each way.
Our Top Day Trip: Grand Canyon West
Our top pick is Grand Canyon WestĀ - and yes, you really can experience the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas. Weāll also be sharing a separate article and video all about our full visit to Grand Canyon West, because there is so much to see and do there.
What makes this area especially unique is that Grand Canyon West is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe, so visiting here is not just about the views ā itās also a cultural experience where you can learn about the tribe, their history, and their connection to the land.
The key to a great trip here is leaving early. We left Las Vegas at 6:00 AM and arrived just before 9:00 AM, even with a leisurely drive, breakfast, and filling the car with gas. This early arrival was key, helping us beat most of the tour buses and enjoy the viewpoints with fewer crowds.
There are restaurants, gift shops, and food options at each main stop, as well as a shuttle to take you to each location, so itās easy to spend the entire day exploring. Our favorite viewing areas were Guano PointĀ for the panoramic views and picnic-style outdoor seating, and the viewpoints above the Skywalk at Eagle Point.
If you want activities, thereās also the SkywalkĀ and a zipline over the canyon, which gives you a completely different perspective of the landscape. I loved the zipline, it's a wonderful way to experience this iconic location. Keep an eye out for wildlife too - the area is home to desert bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and ravensĀ soaring over the canyon.
Even after a full day exploring, itās still very doable to drive back to Las Vegas before sunset, which makes this one of the best and most memorable day trips from Las Vegas.
Other Amazing Day Trips Within 2.5ā3 Hours of Las Vegas
Zion National Park
Zion is known for towering red cliffs, slot canyons, and some of the most famous hikes in the world.
Things to do include:
The Narrows (hiking through the river between canyon walls)
Angels Landing
Scenic drives through Zion Canyon
Wildlife spotting
Riverside Walk for an easy scenic trail
Shuttle through the canyon to multiple viewpoints and trailheads
Snow Canyon State Park
Near St. George, Utah, Snow Canyon is a quieter alternative to Zion.
Things to do include:
Red rock landscapes
Lava tubes and ancient lava flows
Sand dunes
Scenic drives
Hiking and biking trails
Petroglyphs
Itās less crowded but incredibly beautiful and perfect for a relaxed day trip.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is one of the most unique landscapes in the world- and now is a perfect time to visit before it becomes one of the hottest places on Earth.
Things to do include:
Badwater Basin (lowest point in North America)
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Artistās Palette
Zabriskie Point
Danteās View
Salt flats and desert landscapes
They recently had a superbloom (the photos online are stunning), and while peak bloom has passed in some areas, another beautiful bloom is expected in the coming weeks at higher elevations, so itās still a great time to visit.
Great Day Trips Closer to Las Vegas (1 Hour or Less)
Hoover Dam
About 45 minutes from Las Vegas (and on the way to Grand Canyon West), Hoover Dam is one of the greatest engineering projects in American history. But thereās actually a lot more to do in this area than just see the dam.
Nearby activities include:
Visiting Lake MeadĀ for boating, kayaking, beaches, and scenic drives
Visiting Willow Beach, where you can rent kayaks and paddle the Colorado River through beautiful canyon walls
Visiting Boulder City for restaurants, shops, and the historic railroad trail
Walking across the Mike OāCallaghanāPat Tillman Memorial Bridge for incredible views of the dam and Colorado River. Be aware: the bridge can get extremely windy. We went on a calm day and felt like we were going to be blown away by the force of the winds.
This area alone can easily fill a full day.
Valley of Fire State Park
Only about an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire is famous for:
Fire Wave
White Domes Trail
Petroglyphs
Scenic drives
Incredible sunrise and sunset photography
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Just 30 minutes from the Strip, Red Rock offers:
Scenic 13-mile drive
Hiking trails
Rock climbing
Desert wildlife
Beautiful mountain views
Mount Charleston
If you've spent any time in Vegas in summer, you need to know about Mount Charleston. When it's 100 plus degrees, you can cool off in the 80s. Yes, it's that important to all of us who live here. About an hour from Las Vegas, Mount Charleston feels like a completely different world with:
Pine forests
Hiking trails
Cooler temperatures
Snow in winter
Scenic lodges and restaurants
Final Tip for Planning a Day Trip From Las Vegas
My biggest tip for planning day trips is simple:
Plan by driving distance, leave early, and pick one main highlight - not five.
If you leave early, beat the crowds, and give yourself plenty of time to explore without rushing, you can turn a simple day trip into something that feels like a full vacation - and thatās one of the best things about living in or visiting Las Vegas.
Here's the full segment from CBS: https://www.8newsnow.com/news/las-vegas-now/best-day-trips-from-las-vegas/
Big thank you to my friends Tanna Larson and Kat Johnson for sharing their incredible photos of Valley of Fire and Snow Canyon with us - we loved being able to share them with all of you!
Christianne Klein is an EmmyĀ® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
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