10

BEST NATURAL SPOTS

FROM CANYONS TO LAKES, LAS VEGAS HAS IT ALL

1 Mount Charleston

Just 35 miles from Vegas, Mount Charleston is the perfect place for skiing, picnics, hiking and horseback riding – from May to September you can even camp there. Learn more

2 Hoover Dam

A short drive away, this engineering wonder of the world tames the Colorado River (the main source of water for the city). Go to the visitor centre for the impressive rooftop view then walk across the dam and over the Arizona-Nevada border. Learn more

3 Lake Mead

North America's largest man-made lake has more than 550 miles of shoreline around it, and the Recreational Area is open all year for swimming, water-skiing, camping, boating, fishing and cruises. Learn more

4 Death Valley

It's the hottest and driest national park in the USA, but it's not as scary as it sounds. Go to the eastern entrance to see Scotty's Castle and Rhyolite, a pretty old mining town dating back to the 1904 gold rush. Learn more

5 Spring Mountain State Park

Once co-owned by Howard Hughes, the reclusive multimillionaire, this historic ranch was a stopover for travellers on the Mormon and Spanish trails. Today you can enjoy outdoor theatre and concerts there. Learn more

6 Red Rock Canyon

Just 15 miles west of Las Vegas, this national conservation area of rock formations, with a 3,000ft escarpment made when tectonic plates collided along a fault line, is open to the public all year long. It's a popular destination for people after outdoor adventure: hikers, bikers, joggers and rock climbers, but it's a must-see for all.
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7 Valley of Fire State Park

With a rugged beauty to rival that of Red Rock Canyon, it's brimming with scenic landscapes, hidden canyons and unique red rock formations, as well as petroglyphs and remains of ancient Native American civilisations. Learn more

8 Mojave National Preserve

Astoundingly large, this 1.6 million-acre preserve protects one of the most diverse environments in the world, from sand dunes and volcanic cinder cones, to Joshua tree forests and majestic mountains. Learn more

9 Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada

Only 25 miles west of Vegas and near Red Rock Canyon, Bonnie Springs Ranch was built in 1843 as a cattle ranch and watering hole, while at the adjacent ranch, Old Nevada, you can see a recreation of an Old West town – complete with gunfights. Learn more

10 Springs Preserve

For a bit of education on the history, culture and biology of the area, visit this 180-acre preserve complex planted on the site of the original springs and meadows. There are over 30,000 plants in its desert gardens, plus more than two miles of walking trails to explore. Learn more