Las Vegas Ultimate Outdoors Guide

• Calico Tanks: 2.2 mile, moderate, out-and-back trail. One of Red Rock’s highest rated hikes, is very popular. Best hiked from Otober to April. This trail is dog friendly, but must be on leash. • Ice Box Canyon: 2.3 mile, moderate, out-and-back trail. Once you get into the canyon, it can be a nice and cool break from the hot sun, especially in the afternoon. If you happen to visit after a substantial rainfall or rainy season, you may just catch the two tiered waterfall here! Best hiked from October to April. This trail is dog friendly, but must be on leash. NOTE: Red Rock Canyon does have a fee and a timed reservation in place. Rates are $20 per car, $10 per motorcycle/scooter, and $2 reservation fee for all. This timed entry reservation is valid for the day and entry time indicated on the ticket, with an allowance for a 30-minute early arrival. Once entered, visitors can stay the entire duration of the day that the Scenic Drive is open to the public. Reservations are required October to May, 8am-5pm. PRO TIP: If you have an annual U.S. Parks Pass (America the Beautiful Pass), you can use it at Red Rock Canyon, however, you will still be required to pay the $2 reservation fee if visiting during noted entry times. Don’t want to do the scenic drive? First of all, you’d be missing out! Highly recommend doing the full scenic drive! However, a good alternative is parking and hiking at the hikes /near/ Red Rock Canyon. Red Springs Boardwalk is a great easy, accessible hike and even has some of the best fall colors (usually in late October, even into early November). A few other trailheads can also be accessed from the same parking lot - and since this is outside of the scenic drive, there are no fees.

Valley of Fire is a beautiful state park about an hour from the Las Vegas Strip. With bright red Aztec sandstone, this park is quite the sight to see! VoF is open from sunrise to sunset, with 24 hour access to campgrounds. Entry is $10 per vehicle ($15 per non-NV licensed vehicle). Hikes: • Fire Wave Trail: Not to be confused with the infamous permit hike in Arizona known as "The Wave," Fire Wave is in Nevada and is an easy, well marked trail. At 1.5 miles long with only 236 ft. of elevation gain, this out-and-back trail is perfect for all ages. Here, you're hiking to an amazing sandstone formation in the it resembles an ocean wave with swirling patterns of red, white, and pink sandstone. Hiking here is primarily recommended to do in winter months, but be sure to take extra water in any season. Dogs welcome, but must be leashed. • White Domes: This is a 1.1 mile easy loop very close to Fire Wave! This is another great popular hike in the park. Dogs welcome, but must be leashed.

Lake Mead is a National Recreation Area, America's FIRST National Rec Area, actually! Because it's part of the National Park Service, if you have an America the Beautiful pass, it will get you in here as well. If you do not have the parks pass, the daily entry fee is $25 per vehicle ($20/motorcycle, $15 per individual walking or biking), and passes are good for 7 consecutive days. Activities: • Railroad Tunnel Trail: 8.2 mile out-and-back hike. Don't be discouraged by the length of this hike. Although it is long, it's very easy and flat with less than 1000 ft of elevation gain. This trail is also bike and dog friendly. • Las Vegas Bay Shoreline Trail: a hidden gem in the desert! According to AllTrails, this trail is 3.6 miles with 0 ft elevation gain. Having done this trail myself, I will say that that estimate is a bit off. It's not completely flat, but is still a relatively easy trail. There is no shade, so definitely go when it’s cooler in the day/year. Towards the end before turning back, you can stay right instead of left and that trail leads you to owl canyon. Highly recommend that for a great slot canyon (and some cool shade!) so long as there’s no rain. More on Owl Canyon below! • Owl Canyon: AllTrails is a bit conflicting and unclear on getting to Owl Canyon, so I'll be attaching the description and information via the official NPS website. You can also find Owl Canyon via my description and the connecting trail above. -> From NPS: 2.2 miles. 300 ft elevation gain, moderate route. "Turn toward the 33 Hole Overlook off Lakeshore Road. The trailhead is located at the first parking lot on the left (see map linked). This overlook provides beautiful views of Lake Mead along with nine shade structures with tables and grills for picnics. There is a restroom, as well. The Owl Canyon hike starts out with a 70-foot (21-meter) descent along an unmaintained path near the middle picnic shade structure. Use caution descending into the wash as the rocks are loose. Cross through the broad colorful wash and follow a winding path to the left (west) as it climbs up and around a hillside which leads to the mouth of Owl Canyon. A few hundred yards into the canyon, keep left at the fork. Once in the canyon, the steep sides provide a shaded area. Look closely for animal signs, including droppings from birds on the ledges above your head. The sculpted conglomerate rock provides convenient perches where owls have been seen nesting. The narrow canyon opens just below Lakeshore Road where a culvert provides easy access under the road. You may continue up the wash and pass through a second culvert. Return the same route you came." • Lake Mead Cruises: Lake Mead has seasonal cruise options. Website linked below! At time of writing, they offer a dinner cruise, champagne brunch cruise, and a traditional sightseeing cruise.

There are a few options to see the Hoover Dam. You're able to park at the top and walk along the viewing platform for free. You're also able to book more in depth tours. There are two types of tours: The full Hoover Dam Tour is an hour long and takes you through the power plant and passageways within the dam. The Powerplant Tour is a separate, shorter 30 min. guided tour, which takes you through just the power plant. Tour Admission: "Hoover Dam tours cost $30 for adults, seniors, juniors and military members. No children under 8 are permitted on the one-hour self-guided tours. Note: the tour is not accessible to visitors on crutches or in wheelchairs. It is also not recommended for those with claustrophobia or patients with defibrillators or pacemakers. Tickets must be purchased at the Visitors Center and are limited to 20 people per tour. Hoover Dam Powerplant Tours cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and those ages 4 to 16. Military members pay $12 for admission, or free if in uniform. Children under 4 are also admitted for free. Parking costs $10." (This parking cost I believe is only for the parking garage. I was personally able to drive up and park in the outdoor spaces at no cost.)

Mount Charleston is an incredible escape from the heat for locals and travelers alike. My favorite time to visit Mount Charleston is... all the time! Summer is an amazing relief from the heat. Autumn has some of the most colorful foliage in the Las Vegas area. And of course, spring is sprung with wildflowers and winter is a snowy wonderland. Activities: • Bristlecone Loop: This 5.7 mile loop is considered moderately challenging. This trail will show you some of the best fall foliage in the area - but arrive early! This trail is very busy, especially on weekends. Dogs are also allowed. • Mary Jane Falls: 3.9 mile, out-and-back hike, with 1,135 ft elevation gain. This trail is very popular and considered moderately challenging. Dog friendly. This trail is open seasonally, typically from April-October. • Lee Canyon Ski and Snow Resort: In the winter, our ski resort is open for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and even sledding/snow tubing! Summer activities often include hiking, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, axe throwing, archery, and even mountainside yoga.

Ethel M is a great stop for all ages, home to the largest botanical garden in the state of Nevada! Over 300 species of cacti can be found here. Self guided tours in the cactus garden are open year round and are FREE. Of the free things to do in Las Vegas, this one is pretty great! Although technically in Henderson, that's beside the point. The cactus garden also has seasonal light displays for Christmas and Valentine's Day. Be sure to check it out in the evening to see it all lit up! On the chocolate side, they also offer tours and tastings at an additional cost. If you don't want to upgrade to those, be sure to still check out their gift shop and cafe!

One final outdoor spot that you can find right in the town of Henderson, NV (just outside of Las Vegas). Because it is indeed a wetlands, there is high humidity and many bugs during hot months. I personally prefer to visit here in the winter and spring! There are many walking paths that connect and reconnect at different points. I recommend the large loop and taking whatever side trail catches your eye!