![day trips from las vegas spring mountain ranch state park](jpg/spring-mt-ranch-fam-merrillsonthemove-hero.jpg)
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Neon To Nature
Beyond-the-Neon Day Trips From Vegas
Route Distance
60 to 210 miles
Suggested Time
1+ Day Per Route
Las Vegas is pretty good at keeping people occupied. But if you’re looking for places to go beyond the glow, this three-pronged package of mini road trips from Las Vegas will have you exploring world-famous Hoover Dam, outdoor playgrounds like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, exciting attractions, and charming towns—and still get you back in time for your dinner reservation, spa treatment, or Elvis-officiated wedding. Whether you’re curious about Las Vegas day trips or just-close-enough overnight adventures, the Red Rockin’ Loop, the Fire and Water Loop, and the Colorado River Corridor—the three spokes of the Neon to Nature road trip—have you covered.
Highlights
- Tour a famous wonder of the engineering world at Hoover Dam
- Hike, cycle, or rock climb at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Wander among wildlife and ancient petroglyphs at Valley of Fire State Park
The Very Best Day Trips From Las Vegas
Where to Go Beyond the Glow
With day trips from Las Vegas in every direction, there’s plenty to satisfy your get-outside side without traveling too far from the Entertainment Capital of the World. Hit the Red Rockin’ Loop and hoof it around lush, oasis-like Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, stunning Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and a ghost town with its own saloon. Venture the Fire and Water Loop to Valley of Fire State Park, Gold Butte National Monument, Mesquite, and Lake Mead. Or cruise the Colorado River Corridor to tour Hoover Dam, chow down in Boulder City, tour a historic gold mine, and live it up on the Laughlin Riverwalk.
![stamp of nevada](png/nv-map-neon.png)
COMMUNITIES ON THIS TRIP
Glovebox Essentials
Prepare for Your Adventure
Get ready to come chase some horizons with this handy tool kit. Here, you’ll find all the Neon to Nature road trip essentials, including downloadable directions, maps, and podcasts, and tunes to complement your upcoming adventure.
Download Route
Neon to Nature: Action-Packed Adventures from Las Vegas
Neon to Nature Playlist
Go from Neon to Nature
Day Trips From Las Vegas? Get Outta Town.
This 3-part, hub-and-spoke road trip transports you to some of southern Nevada’s most breathtaking parks and landscapes, famous landmarks, and one-of-a-kind attractions—and back again. Use these tips to take off-strip day trips, or even to plan some well-worth-it overnight escapes.
Loop 1
Red Rockin’ Loop
Immerse yourself in craggy, red-banded beauty at Red Rock Canyon, lush greenery at historic Spring Mountain Ranch, and sagebrush saloon ambiance in Goodsprings Ghost Town.
Loop 2
Fire and Water Loop
Take the scenic route along Lake Mead’s edge to Valley of Fire, where famously photogenic orange and red rocks abound, then mosey to Mesquite for museums, art, and fine meals.
Loop 3
Colorado River Corridor
After touring Hoover Dam, head to Boulder City for epic eats and outdoor action, on land and water. Stop for a historic mine tour en route to Laughlin for more riverfront fun.
![las vegas day trips](jpg/n2n1-1-1024x956.jpg)
Loop 1
Red Rockin’ Loop
60 to 110 mi
- Take a guided hike or yoga class in lush Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
- Drive, cycle, or e-bike 13-mile Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
- Chase spirits in Goodsprings ghost town, then sip ’em at the Pioneer Saloon
Pack the snacks and book it to the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center to view a live desert tortoise habitat and get hiking recs from rangers. Plan ahead and book a timed entry on Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, the looping scenic drive Las Vegas visitors cherish for its stunning vista points and popular trail access. Next stop: tranquil Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, a verdant oasis full of hikes, historic buildings, and unique ranger programs. Add a trip to Goodsprings Ghost Town to wind down with burgers ‘n’ beers at the storied Pioneer Saloon.
The Red Rockin’ Loop proves why we call this suite of day trips from Las Vegas “Neon to Nature.” And all this outdoor action is sure to make that hotel pillow feel extra plush. Here are our fave places to crash Downtown.
![Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas
![Circa Resort & Casino](jpg/circa_featured-300x169.jpg)
Circa Resort & Casino
Las Vegas
![El Cortez Hotel and Casino](jpg/lass-id-original-1519857106-5a972dd2a89da-300x192.jpg)
El Cortez Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
![Oasis at Gold Spike](png/business-placeholder.png)
Oasis at Gold Spike
Las Vegas
![Four Queens Hotel and Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Four Queens Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
![Plaza Hotel](png/business-placeholder.png)
Plaza Hotel
Hikers head to Calico Basin’s larger-than-life landscapes. Climbers go crazy for more than 1,200 named routes, from short sport to 20-pitch pushes. Meanwhile, solace-seekers steal away to Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.
![Blue Diamond Loop](png/business-placeholder.png)
Blue Diamond Loop
Las Vegas
![Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area](png/business-placeholder.png)
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Las Vegas
![Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive](png/business-placeholder.png)
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
Las Vegas
![Badger Pass Loop](png/business-placeholder.png)
Badger Pass Loop
Las Vegas
![Seven Magic Mountains](png/business-placeholder.png)
Seven Magic Mountains
Las Vegas
![Spring Mountain Ranch State Park](png/business-placeholder.png)
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
Blue Diamond
![Vegas Off-Road Tours](png/business-placeholder.png)
Vegas Off-Road Tours
Jean
![Cottonwood Valley Trails](png/business-placeholder.png)
Cottonwood Valley Trails
Las Vegas
![Goodsprings Ghost Town](png/business-placeholder.png)
Goodsprings Ghost Town
Goodsprings
If those original stamped tin walls could talk! The 1913-built Pioneer Saloon is home to legends, folklore, and Food Network-approved fare—all washed down with some notoriously killer drinks. Worth those extra miles, trust us.
![Pioneer Saloon](png/business-placeholder.png)
Pioneer Saloon
Goodsprings
![Fergusons Downtown](png/business-placeholder.png)
Fergusons Downtown
Las Vegas
![Cottonwood Station Eatery](png/business-placeholder.png)
Cottonwood Station Eatery
Blue Diamond
![Peppermill Las Vegas](png/business-placeholder.png)
Peppermill Las Vegas
Las Vegas
![scenic drive las vegas](jpg/n2n2.jpg)
Loop 2
Fire & Water Loop
120 to 175 miles
- Navigate gleaming, striped rock formations at Valley of Fire State Park
- Go as off-the-grid as it gets at Gold Butte National Monument
- Discover Ancestral Puebloan culture at Lost City Museum
Valley of Fire is one of the most popular Las Vegas day trips—and with good reason. Nevada’s first and largest state park, formed when dinosaurs roamed the Silver State, offers unparalleled vistas of (or atop) other-worldly sandstone formations, plus chances aplenty to spy desert bighorn sheep and stone-carved calling cards from Nevada’s earliest human inhabitants. But push on to discover fascinating museums, eye-catching art, off-road adventure, golf galore, and some amenity-packed resorts where you can rest your head in style.
The border town of Mesquite is home to art, culture, great restaurants, and nine golf courses—all set against a stunning Virgin River Valley backdrop. Here are some of our favorite places to make a night of it in Mesquite.
![CasaBlanca Resort & Casino](jpg/tn_storyimage-mesquitecasablanca-300x168.jpg)
CasaBlanca Resort & Casino
Mesquite
![Virgin River Hotel & Casino](jpg/lass-id-original-1533069369-5b60c839c89c8-300x169.jpg)
Virgin River Hotel & Casino
Mesquite
![Eureka Casino Resort](jpg/lass-id-original-1534196785-5b71fc3142eab-300x169.jpg)
Eureka Casino Resort
Mesquite
Leave early to beat the crowds (and heat) to Valley of Fire. Then uncover American Indian history at Lost City Museum and cruise on to Mesquite for an amazing art gallery, artifact-packed museum, and high-octane activities.
![Lost City Museum](png/business-placeholder.png)
Lost City Museum
Moapa Valley
![Skydive Mesquite](png/business-placeholder.png)
Skydive Mesquite
Mesquite
![Valley of Fire State Park](png/business-placeholder.png)
Valley of Fire State Park
Overton
![Gold Butte National Monument](png/business-placeholder.png)
Gold Butte National Monument
Gold Butte
![Camel Safari & Desert Ranch Experience](png/business-placeholder.png)
Camel Safari & Desert Ranch Experience
Bunkerville
![Lake Mead National Recreation Area](png/business-placeholder.png)
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boulder City
![Mesquite Fine Arts Center & Gallery](png/business-placeholder.png)
Mesquite Fine Arts Center & Gallery
Mesquite
![Virgin Valley Heritage Museum](png/business-placeholder.png)
Virgin Valley Heritage Museum
Mesquite
![Adventure Time Tours & Rentals](png/business-placeholder.png)
Adventure Time Tours & Rentals
Mesquite
Sweeten your trip with a milkshake at The Inside Scoop, or settle on breakfast, lunch, pizza, or all three at Criss Angel’s CABLP—both in Moapa Valley. If you think your day’s work has earned you a huge, juicy steak: Katherine’s Steakhouse.
![Cablp: Criss Angel’s Breakfast, Lunch & Pizza](png/business-placeholder.png)
Cablp: Criss Angel’s Breakfast, Lunch & Pizza
Moappa Valley
![Katherine’s Steakhouse](png/business-placeholder.png)
Katherine’s Steakhouse
Mesquite
![The Inside Scoop](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Inside Scoop
Moapa Valley
Swing into action at a famous golf tournament, join a cele-BRAY-tion of one of Nevada’s sweetest wild critters, or sample your way around a rib festival or old-fashioned pomegranate party.
![road trips from las vegas](jpg/n2n4-1024x956.jpg)
Loop 3
Colorado River Corridor
70 to 250 miles
- Catch a tour of Hoover Dam, or a vista of it from an 886-ft-high bridge
- Hiking, paddling, and hot springing along the mighty Colorado River
- Antique-shop, café-hop, and hit up museums in charming Boulder City
- Get wild on the water or in seven lively resorts along the Laughlin Riverwalk
Without Hoover Dam, there’d be no Vegas. Tour the modern marvel and test your camera’s panorama mode from the 886-ft-tall, 1,905-ft-long viewing bridge—the longest of its kind in North America. Then explore Boulder City, the quiet, Art Deco-obsessed town that built it, where fascinating museums, cute shops, outdoor activities, and amazing eats abound. Stop for a tour of Techatticup Mine and poke around Nelson Ghost Town en route to Laughlin, where the party continues, in the resorts and, of course, on the Colorado River.
If your day ends in Boulder City, choose from a Colonial Revival-style gem, a swanky B&B, or a retro-chic motel (there’s that neon again). If you push on to Laughlin, settle into one of nine riverfront overflowing-amenity resorts.
![El Rancho Boulder Motel](jpg/lass-id-original-1531422096-5b47a5908799e-300x169.jpg)
El Rancho Boulder Motel
Boulder City
![Hoover Dam Lodge & Casino](jpg/lass-id-original-1517258539-5a6f872b1463c-300x169.jpg)
Hoover Dam Lodge & Casino
Boulder City
![Aquarius Casino Resort](jpg/aquarius-300x169.jpg)
Aquarius Casino Resort
Laughlin
![Harrah’s Laughlin Casino Hotel](png/business-placeholder.png)
Harrah’s Laughlin Casino Hotel
Laughlin
![Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall](png/business-placeholder.png)
Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall
Laughlin
![Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino
Laughlin
![Golden Nugget Laughlin](png/business-placeholder.png)
Golden Nugget Laughlin
Laughlin
![Milo’s Cellar & Inn](png/business-placeholder.png)
Milo’s Cellar & Inn
Boulder City
![Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
Laughlin
![Sands Motel](png/business-placeholder.png)
Sands Motel
Boulder City
Got extra days? Take ‘em. Otherwise, your work’s cut out choosing how to stack this action-packed out-and-back. This trip delivers for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, water lovers, and just about everyone else, too.
![London Bridge Jet Boat Tours](png/business-placeholder.png)
London Bridge Jet Boat Tours
Laughlin
![Laughlin Riverwalk](png/business-placeholder.png)
Laughlin Riverwalk
Laughlin
![Lake Mead Cruises](png/business-placeholder.png)
Lake Mead Cruises
Boulder City
![Laughlin Labyrinths](png/business-placeholder.png)
Laughlin Labyrinths
Laughlin
![Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park & Trails](png/business-placeholder.png)
Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park & Trails
Laughlin
![Rocky River Adventure Center](png/business-placeholder.png)
Rocky River Adventure Center
Laughlin
![Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum](png/business-placeholder.png)
Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum
Boulder City
![Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum](png/business-placeholder.png)
Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum
Boulder City
![Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead National Recreation Area](png/business-placeholder.png)
Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boulder City
![Black Canyon Water Trail](png/business-placeholder.png)
Black Canyon Water Trail
Boulder City
Treat yourself to famous Dole whip floats at Chilly Jilly’z, mom-and-pop classics at the postcard-perfect Coffee Cup Café, and “killer” burgers at The Dillinger—all in BC—or steak your claim at Laughlin’s chop houses.
![Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall](png/business-placeholder.png)
Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall
Laughlin
![Harrah’s Laughlin Casino Hotel](png/business-placeholder.png)
Harrah’s Laughlin Casino Hotel
Laughlin
![Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino
Laughlin
![The Chicken Shack](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Chicken Shack
Boulder City
![The Dillinger Food and Drinkery](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Dillinger Food and Drinkery
Boulder City
![Chilly Jilly’z Bakery & Cafe](png/business-placeholder.png)
Chilly Jilly’z Bakery & Cafe
Boulder City
![Coffee Cup Café](png/business-placeholder.png)
Coffee Cup Café
Boulder City
![Aquarius Casino Resort](png/business-placeholder.png)
Aquarius Casino Resort
Laughlin
![Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
Laughlin
From 4-day film fests, smoked meat celebrations, and the largest juried outdoor art fest in the Southwest to rallies for mountain bikes, off-road rigs, and motorcycles, these Colorado River towns know how to get down.
Hitting the Road? Here’s the Map.
Our 10 Nevada Road Trips
Searching for road trip ideas? Look no further. Go ahead. Scroll around and click the road trip icons for the inside scoop on Nevada’s 10 best road trips, with detailed itineraries, maps, and tips for getting off the beaten track.
#NeonToNature
Big city lights and breathtaking desert sights. See ‘em both (plus everything in between) and tag #NeonToNature so we can virtually tag along with ya.
![Clicked in December 2019](jpg/1eccc79d98181e8570b98efd74ca5a0c2dac0e954a0a729d642bc9248309a929-375.jpg)
![Stand up like a mountain. Have faith like a rock. Love like an avalanche. bobgoff 🏜#valleyoffire #challengeyourself #idhikethat #thisbeautifullife #findyourpark #wanderlust #nevada](jpg/c8afca2d3e510296a6a8ea0cbd6a42d84e6fe43a48700a3be246087bab972c2a-375.jpg)
![Me: Always excited to play outside. 💛
A few weeks ago I went mountain biking with bikeblastlasvegas at Bootleg Canyon just outside of Boulder City. It is close to Lake Mead + the Hoover Dam ...making it a great area to visit. So many fun adventures to fill your days in TravelNevada ☀️ #TravelNevada #BeyondVegas #HowToNevada #ad](jpg/ba3411554d6d746e99c4f4d7a64e0a23db1e731154d2f488afe1c47e6d3ca807-375.jpg)
![#OTD in 2010 I hiked into Grapevine Canyon near Laughlin to see the petroglyphs pecked into the rocks. Unfortunately I was sick so I didn't have the energy to stay as long as I would've liked.
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#Petroglyphs #Art #RockArt #NativeArt #Nevada #TravelNevada #OnThisDay #Southwest](jpg/70a6a8b2ee22df02fbd1b972e46906c4436bf387926dbb6de248f99bfb6f56b8-375.jpg)
![Rub a dub dub there’s an old lady in the tub! 🛁
Model: betsymom7
Camera: Canon 5D Mark III canonusa
Lens: 105mm
1/200 sec at f/10.0
ISO: 200
#canonphotographers #canonphotography #westerntown #ghosttown #boomtown #oldladyinthemaking #bonniesprings #natgeoyourshot #natgeo100contest #oldladyhobbies #vegasphotographer #vegasphotography #moodygrams #bathtubs #nevada #travelphotography #travelphotographer #wildwildwest #nevadahistory #silverstate #vegaslocal #localphotographer #bonniespringsranch #photographer_pics #vegaslocals #vegaslocalscene](jpg/8ff5dfe4b22a113f4e04c538c71e13b748ffbeea245606197f1ad065c49a01ad-375.jpg)
![Money Money Money! 💰 💵
Pretty soon, Nevada history is about to be gone!
Camera: iPhone 7+
1/60 sec at f/2.8
ISO: 500
#moneymoneymoney #money #american #wildwildwest #bonniesprings #bonniespringsranch #nevada #nevadahistory #bar #tavern #shotoniphone #apple #iphoneportraitmode #kodachrome #filmphotography #fivedollars #onedollar #lasvegas #lasvegasphotographer #vegasphotographer #vegasweekend #chaching #farewell #farewelloldfriend #moodygrams #iphonographer #iphonography #bestofiphone](jpg/fa135f72e76a7fdb52df4271a736e30700c12bf7269894e011b55730b4fdce20-375.jpg)
![Without the Boulder Branch Line of the Union Pacific Railroad, there would be no Hoover Dam. Thank these restored trains that once hauled much needed construction equipment and materials at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, where you can still ride the original rails on weekend heritage excursions. 🚂🏜🛤
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#TravelNevada #BoulderCity #NVMuseums #Trainstagram #HooverDam #BoulderCityNV #ExploreCulture #BeyondVegas #UnionPacific](jpg/1db7a8555c2c700200124b182a19cf5c3fd6fa73d690e237f8163b6b246a3563-375.jpg)
![I’m not going to lie, this climb kinda scared the crap out of me. So much about climbing is trusting your guide and your gear, but it had been a few years since I’ve been on a wall and I was also pretty hungry, so it was safe to say my mind wasn’t in the best place. Either way, it is pretty cool to be able to shoot photos from the middle of a multi-pitch route. Maybe I’d do it again…for the gram of course.
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#lasvegas #redrockcanyon #nevada #desert #mountains #rockclimbing #tradclimbing #universityphotographer #upaa #alwaysexploring #optoutside #stakelinphoto](jpg/6464e4547e94c64439dd84e9a4c29bfbe8549fc4f64ad6444004fe72262d5713-375.jpg)
![Can you count all the rams in this photo? Had I not seen a silhouette moving along the topmost rock, I would never have seen this bachelor group moving along the rock face.
#bighornsheep #desertwildlife #desertbighorn #bighornrams #wildsheep #natgeowild #nanpapix #naturephotography #naturematters #natureconservation #usfws #dfmi #naturelovers #wildlifephotography #valleyoffirestatepark #valleyoffiresheep #nevadastateparks #nevadawildlife #friendsofnevadawilderness #adventure #valleyoffire #wildlifeseekers #conservation #nature #wildlife #wildanimals #nevadabighorns #optoutside #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot
nanpapix natgeowild friendsofnvwild nevadawildlife usfws valley.of.fire nevadacameraclub naturalnevada nature_org natgeoyourshot](jpg/93b3851e87a65a56e4ec9bdd2d438089c429573471fc0b37bd55c95f73e02a0e-375.jpg)
![Out with the homies!
#redrockcanyonnationalconservationarea #redrockcanyon #river #explore #explorenevada #travel #hike #travelnevada #pets #getoutside #rocks #storm #lvphototours #pets #dogs #bordercollie #photographer #outdoorphotography #desert #mojavedesert #naturelovers](jpg/fe79e2cf920905c7a2e6a2ac7bcba9f1e80c299e74b956a14519834f49dcc8dc-375.jpg)
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True Tales & Travel Tips
Featured Stories
Get our takes on must-experience attractions, excursions, restaurants, and lodging—as well as plenty of pro tips on visiting ghost towns, parks, historic sites, and far more—all curated by those who know this wild state by heart.