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The gaming halls and performances in Sin City can offer much entertainment, but when a nature respite is needed, consider undertaking a hike in Las Vegas. Surprisingly, there are numerous excellent hiking trails in the Las Vegas area, and many are free of charge. Occasionally, distancing oneself from the noise and chaos of the Strip and reconnecting with the great outdoors can be the best method to feel reinvigorated!
Even if you came to Vegas for the flashy atmosphere and activities, I doubt you’ll regret going on a lovely outdoor excursion. Moreover, there are so several lovely places to hike near Las Vegas, many within an hour`s drive of the Strip. Regardless of skill level, a great trail awaits you!
In this guide, I`ll highlight the 10 top hikes in Las Vegas and provide a trails map you can download for easy reference. Let`s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Calico Trails, the best hikes in Las Vegas
While another article on this website discusses Red Rock Canyon hiking trails, I want to bring up the Calico Trails in this guide. Since it’s less than an hour`s drive from the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyonis one of the best places to visit near Las Vegas during daylight hours. So, if you’re looking for a nearby location to hike for a few hours, this is the spot!
While traveling along the park’s Scenic Loop Drive, visitors will pass a couple of Calico trailheads allowing hikers to explore the Calico Hills Trail from Calico Hills South or the shorter Calico Tanks Trail from the Sandstone Quarry Overlook.
Initially, Calico Hills is a difficult route with uneven terrain that necessitates some scrambling. It’s an enjoyable challenge, and varied colors, rock formations, and beautiful views of the hills can be seen.
Calico Tanks is just over 2 miles and a lovely adventure full of petroglyphs, an old agave roasting pit, and the Calico Basin. It’s an easier hike you can do with young ones around Las Vegas, and you’ll want to spend time appreciating the sandstone structures.
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2. Fire Wave Trail, a well-known Las Vegas hike
- Where to stay: Given Red Rock Canyon`s close proximity to Las Vegas at just 30 minutes away, I suggest reviewing our guide on the top hotels in Las Vegas
The trek will commence at the trailhead on Mouse`s Tank Road, then embark on a journey through some of the most striking sandstone formations in the park. The undulating stripes of red, pink, and white make for a great photographic opportunity too. Along with the stunning views and lookout points, one will pass interesting rock cairns.
- Recommended accommodation: Situated 0.2 miles from the Caminito del Rey, La Posada del Conde lies in the Gaitanes Gorge, between the Conde del Guadalhorce and Guadalteba dams.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & back
- Obstacles: No shade
- Elevation gain: 236 ft
3. Mary Jane Falls, a scenic hiking trail in Las Vegas
The Mary Jane Falls Trail provides a superb family hike near Las Vegas, Nevada, in Mount Charleston. It’s a really enjoyable and scenic route and, as the name implies, has a waterfall. It’s a smaller waterfall, but the area around it has a pretty clearing with mountain views.
Mary Jane Falls is one of the best hikes near Las Vegas to get away from the city, and it’s not too lengthy. You’ll be surrounded by a gorgeous environment, including wildflowers, ponderosa pines, and natural springs. While the trail is easy to follow, it’s eroded in some areas and can get quite cold, so bring layers and good footwear.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 3.9 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Out & back
- Obstacles: Trail erosion, can get cold
- Elevation gain: 1,135 ft
4. Arizona Hot Springs, one of the top Las Vegas hiking loops
If you’re planning to visit the Hoover Dam, be certain to check out the Arizona Hot Springs Trail, which is merely 15 minutes away. Spend half a day exploring this scenic circular hike near Las Vegas, Nevada, taking in the altering landscape.
This Las Vegas hike starts on US-93 and travels through a gravelly wash and slot canyons to a fork in the trail. The path to the right passes Liberty Bell Arch; some individuals take this path and then backtrack, while others do the full loop around the area.
Once reaching the Colorado River on the Nevada-Arizona border, you can go down a ladder to access the hot springs. It’s such a scenic place, but it can become crowded. Thankfully, the whole hike is beautiful, just very warm and somewhat tricky in some parts.
- Duration: 6.5 hours
- Distance: 5.9 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: Extreme heat in summer, ladder to hot springs
- Elevation gain: 1,223 ft
5. Bristlecone Trail, some of the best hiking in the Las Vegas desert
Another Mt. Charleston hike near Las Vegas that I would strongly advise is the Bristlecone Trail. This nature trail through the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area starts from either the Lower Bristlecone or Upper Bristlecone Trailhead.
The upper trail is not as clearly marked as the lower trail, and it’s more narrow and rockier, so wear sturdy shoes. On the other hand, the upper trail offers nicer views, so don’t miss out!
This round route presents some of the best hiking near Las Vegas because you can look for birds, wildlife, and the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly. You’ll also see different natural sceneries, like aspen groves, dense forests, mountain ridges, ponderosa pines, and bristlecones. There is a seasonal creek in the spring, and the trail is in Lee Canyon, where you can find other outdoor areas and activities.
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Distance: 5.7 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Loop
- Challenges: Climb back to the parking area
- Elevation gain: 931 ft
The following paragraph contains a hyperlink to download a route for a hiking trail: “
6. Petroglyph Canyon Trail, a fun Las Vegas hiking trail
The Petroglyph Canyon Trail is an entertaining loop hike near Las Vegas suitable for families. Plus, it’s in Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, merely 30 minutes from the Strip and an excellent place to go outside Las Vegas.
At just over 4 miles, this route provides an enjoyable way to explore Sloan Canyon and see the pictographs that make this area so famous. The elevation gain isn’t too challenging, but the terrain is rocky and requires some climbing. Hikers can take a more direct trail to the petroglyphs by following the parallel 200 trail.
Traversing some rough terrain including dry falls and soft ground, the 100 trail listed on the map offers a fun hiking experience with great views as one potential option in Las Vegas for spotting bighorn sheep. This makes it one of the best options for hiking in Las Vegas.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 4.1 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: Uneven terrain requiring climbing maneuvers
- Elevation gain: 557 ft
7. White Owl Canyon, an awesome Las Vegas hike through a slot canyon
White Owl Canyon derives its name from the white owls visible in the narrow canyons along the route. Be sure to watch closely! This Las Vegas trail is near the Las Vegas Bay, west of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Hilly portions exist along the trail, especially at the start and end. However, once inside the slot canyon, it is shaded, cool, and pretty scenic. You will want to follow the left path where trails divide to descend into the canyon and avoid climbing steep cliffs.
Upon hiking through the canyon, you’ll come upon Lakeshore Road, which you’ll cross prior to continuing through a gravel wash. While elements of the trail aren’t conspicuously signposted, it represents a suitable route for novice or intermediate hikers and offers a lovely way to spend your morning.
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Distance: 3.6 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: Not evidently marked in some spots
- Elevation gain: 318 ft
8. Railroad Tunnel Trail, an easy hike in Las Vegas for families
Another excellent Las Vegas trail for hiking near Lake Mead is the Railroad Tunnel Trail.
The starting point is next to the Lake Mead Visitor Center on Lakeshore Road. This is a more extended trail, but it’s well-signposted and has strong gravel, so it’s suitable for all skill levels. The route runs parallel to Boulder City Highway, and you’ll pass all kinds of fascinating sights along the way.
First, the tunnels used in the Hoover Dam`s construction will be seen, followed by the Lake Mead – Lakeview Overlook, where lovely photos can be captured. Heading east, the Hoover Dam Boneyard will be found and eventually, the dam itself.
Overall, this is an exceptional Las Vegas trail with abundant history and scenery, so I’m certain you’ll love it. Just be sure to bring many water since it gets hot out there. Still, it’s one of the best activities to engage in in Nevada.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Distance: 8.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & back
- Obstacles: None
- Elevation gain: 931 ft
9. Lone Mountain Trail Hike, one of the best Las Vegas hiking loops
The Lone Mountain Trail Hike is another easy hike you could do with children or pets. It’s shorter than the Railroad Tunnel Trail, and it’s 20-30 minutes from Sin City, so it’s a quick Las Vegas hike you can do.
Not only is this a scenic hiking trail in Las Vegas, but it directs you to a superb place to watch the sunrise at Lone Mountain Peak. If you can arrive a little prior to dawn, you can observe the sun slowly rise above the peak.
Even undertaking this hike later in the day proves rewarding for exploring Lone Mountain Regional Park. As a trek suitable for beginners, it provides beautiful scenery and wildflowers along the route, making it worth experiencing. Though ascending and descending present the sole challenges, the well-trafficked path remains accessible throughout.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & back
- Obstacles: Ascent
- Elevation gain: 643 ft
10. Wetlands Park Nature Preserve Loop, another easy hike near Las Vegas, NV
Finally, the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve Loop is a great circular trail located in Clark County, Nevada, approximately a 20-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip. It’s perfect for a quick nature experience, and since it’s mostly flat, it serves as a very good family-friendly trail option.
Located within the Clark County Wetlands Park, this trail near Vegas travels past a few scenic ponds and the Las Vegas Wash. Depending on the time of visit, the wetlands may not be as moist, but the region is a popular area for bird observation and wildlife viewing, so keep watch.
You can join the trail just outside the Wetlands Visitor Center and opt for the paved or unpaved route. What is also nice regarding this route is its accessibility for those with mobility issues, and there are seats along the way. However, be aware that canines are not permitted on this loop.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Distance: 2.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: None
- Elevation gain: 36 ft
Here are the 10 best trails in the Las Vegas area! I hope you found at least one path you`d like to check out. To assist with planning your route, I`m sharing a Las Vegas trails map containing all the hikes I discussed. I recommend downloading the map and keeping it on your phone to access it even without cell service.
On the off chance that you have any inquiries or concerns about these wandering trails in Las Vegas, leave me a remark, and I’ll be pleased to enable. Have a protected excursion!
