Las Vegas may be best known for its four mile strip of themed hotels, 24-hour nightlife, and big-name entertainment. However, the Las Vegas area is more than just bright lights and luxury resorts. When visiting this region, be sure to plan a variety of day trips to take in the amazing sights and natural wonders that are within easy driving distance.

3-Hour Day Trips

Less than 50 miles from Las Vegas, the  Eldorado Canyon and Gold Mine is a fun day trip when you don’t want to spend a full day out. Take a tour of the historic Techatticup Mine, the oldest gold mine in southern Nevada. The mine ran from 1861 through 1942 and was considered the richest of its time. The mine tour lasts about an hour and reservations are required.

About an hour northeast of Las Vegas, discover the Valley of Fire State Park, an ideal destination for a 3-hour day trip. Head out to the stunning park to see sandstone formations that date back to when dinosaurs roamed. There are even petroglyphs to see up close.

5-Hour Day Trips

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area sits approximately 30 miles east of Las Vegas, an hour out of the city and an excellent escape for a day trip adventure. Lake Mead is a popular area for boating and other water activities without having to drive too far out of the city.

For an exciting 5-hour day trip, including drive time, plan a Black Canyon Raft Tour with Black Canyon River Adventures. You’ll enjoy a guided trip down the Colorado River on a comfortable, motor-assisted raft taking in the area’s history, geological features, and natural beauty. The tour that includes a stop along the shores beneath the Hoover Dam and concludes at Willow Beach located on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. Here, you have the opportunity to visit unique shops before boarding the air-conditioned tour buses that return visitors to the Lake Mead check-in or back to the hotel, depending on the tour package selected.

Another option is to head out to Pahrump, less than two hours from Las Vegas, to visit the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch. Go for a unique racing experience where there’s something for every driving level.

10-Hour Day Trips

When in the Las Vegas area, don’t miss out on a longer day trip to see the spectacular Grand Canyon. From downtown Vegas it’s about 125 miles to the Grand Canyon, but there’s plenty to see along the way. Make a stop in Boulder City, home to the Hoover Dam. There’s the historical museum located in the original Boulder Dam Motel to visit also. Along the drive, consider the Mt. Tipton Wilderness Area as well. At the Grand Canyon National Park plan to take in everything from hiking the trails to capturing pictures of the stunning scenery and even viewing art exhibits at the historic Kolb Studio.
The Las Vegas area offers so many amazing opportunities to get outdoors and experience several unique, regional sites during an easy day trip. Whether you stop by each destination, or only one of them, you’ll want to include a Black Canyon Raft tour in your agenda. Call 800-455-3490 or book online to reserve your tour today