Points of Interest

Death Valley National Park

Covering 3,000 square miles of desert in both California and Nevada, Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states.  Located less than two hours from Las Vegas, Death Valley offers breathtaking landscapes, colorful history and the lowest elevation point in the Western Hemisphere.

Floyd Lamb State Park

Originally known as Tule Springs, this park was an early water stop for Native Americans. It later became a privately-owned working ranch, as well as a guest/dude ranch in the 1950s.. In addition to the Tule Springs Ranch Historic Area, the park offers tree-shaded groves alongside four small fishing lakes. The park is available for day use only.

Grand Canyon National Park

Located in northern Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and Nevada, this national park is home to the Grand Canyon, created some 5 million years ago and encompassing 1,904 square miles.  The Colorado River, which flows through the canyon, drains water from seven states.  Recreational pursuits are vast, including hiking, camping, biking and fishing.  Commercial air carriers and tour buses serve visitors from the Las Vegas area.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s at a cost of $160 million.  The dam, located 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas on U.S. 93, turned the raging waters of the Colorado River into the still waters of Lake Mead.  Government guides conduct various tours year-round.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

As the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Mead extends 110 miles up from Hoover Dam.  The recreation area covers some 1.5 million acres, and attracts more than 8 million visitors annually for swimming, boating, skiing, fishing and camping.  Fishing is open year-round, and anglers harvest large numbers of game fish each year.

Mount Charleston

Located 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Mount Charleston is situated among some 300,000 acres of forestland in the Las Vegas Ranger District.  The area includes 52 miles of hiking trails, 160 picnic spots and 150 campsites in seven campgrounds and RV camps.  Recreational activities include horseback riding and snow skiing.

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

The first permanent non-native settlers in the Las Vegas Valley were a group of Mormon missionaries who built an adobe fort along Las Vegas Creek in 1855. They successfully farmed the area by diverting water from the creek. Today, the park includes a remnant of the original adobe fort, which serves as a visitor center with interpretive displays.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Red rock formations and desert scenery attract thousands of bicycle enthusiasts to the 13-mile loop road that winds along the western border of the Las Vegas Valley.  Other activities include rock climbing, hiking and auto touring. 

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

Historic Spring Mountain Ranch is located within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, beneath the colorful cliffs of the magnificent Wilson Range. The many springs in these mountains provided water for Paiute Indians and later brought mountain men and early settlers to the area. This 520 acre oasis was developed into a combination working ranch and luxurious retreat by a string of owners who have given the area a long and colorful history.

Valley of Fire State Park

Dedicated in 1935 as Nevada's first state park, this 56,000-acre wilderness area features colorful, extraordinary rock formations, Native American petroglyphs and year-round campsites.

Other resources

National Park Service

Nevada Division of State Parks

Nevada Commission on Tourism