Natural attractions in Las Vegas

There are also some other natural attractions just a short day trip away from Las Vegas. The day-long drive is very much worthwhile to see them. Here's a brief list.

1) Mt. Charleston
Just 35 miles from Vegas with its highest elevation at 3,615 m. With a cool climate, it is ideal for hiking; camping, skiing and horse-back riding.

2) Death Valley
A 40-minute plane ride away from Vegas, the scenic spot has the lowest elevation on the North American continent at 280 ft below the sea level.

3) The Grand Canyon
In Western Arizona, about 300 miles or one hour’s flight away from Vegas. This wonderful landscape over one mile deep was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years ago.

4) Red Rock Canyon
15 miles left of Las Vegas, it is a scenic area filled with rock formations and a desert. It is home to feral horses, wild burros, bighorn sheep, coyotes and desert plants.

5) Valley of Fire State Park
This is 55 miles northwest of Vegas. Consists of hidden canyons, scenic landscapes and unique red rock formations. Also has evidence of Petroglyphs.

6) Bryce Canyon
210 miles northeast of Las Vegas, it has unique rock formations with imaginative names like Pink Cliffs and Silent City.

7) Mojave National Preserve
This 1.6 million acre preserve abounds with sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests and mile high mountains.

8) Zion National Park
158 miles north of Las Vegas, it is a popular winter ski resort. It has colorful sandstone canyons, hot rocky deserts and cool forested plateaus. The Zion Canyon, which is the hot spot, was carved into the rocks by the Virgin River.