The Best Family-Friendly Outdoor Adventures Near Las Vegas

Las Vegas might not seem like a typical family destination, but it might be one of the most underrated adventure hubs in the Southwest. We have now used Vegas as our starting point twice with our kids, and each trip has taken us far beyond the city limits.

Within a short drive, the scenery shifts from skyline to sandstone cliffs, winding desert roads, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country. From national parks to hidden kayaking spots, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure waiting just outside Las Vegas. Here are the family friendly destinations we recommend most.

Getting to Vegas

We have flown to Vegas twice, once using Southwest from St. Louis and the second time on Allegiant Airlines from Mid-America airport just east of St. Louis. I definitely prefer using the smaller Mid-America airport as parking and getting through security is quick and easy. We are usually from our car to the gate in under 15 minutes and all flights on Allegiant are non-stop.

Both airlines fly into Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas. The airport is fairly easy to navigate although the shuttle ride to the car rental center is a little long. We have rented from both Avis and Alamo and had good experiences both times.

Where to Stay in Vegas

We have used Vegas both as just a stop before road-tripping other parks and as a place to use as a homebase for adventures. On our first trip we stayed a couple nights at the Hyatt Place Silverton Village and it worked great for our family. The hotel has free breakfast and our two queen room also had a sofa bed with plenty of room.

Our second trip we were at the Spark by Hilton. The room was much smaller and the free breakfast was pretty limited with only cold items like bagels and cereal. Both hotels have free parking and are near the airport. This location worked well when traveling with kids to be away from the craziness of the strip.

Best time of Year to Visit

Vegas and many of the surrounding parks can be brutally hot in summer. Some parks like Valley of Fire even close the popular trails during the summer. It is recommended to visit Fall through Spring.

Both of our visits were in mid-February due to our kids having a mini winter break over President’s Day weekend. We have also visited the National Parks of Utah in May, September, and October. We found both fall and winter to be pleasant with cool mornings and warm (but not hot) daytime highs.

Best Outdoor Adventures Near Vegas

Vegas makes such a great basecamp for adventure. Whether you are using the city as your home base or just flying into the airport before road-tripping to other destinations, here are our favorite places to explore within 3.5 hours of Vegas.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (30 minutes from Las Vegas)

Red Rock Canyon offers incredible hiking and red rock views only a short drive from Vegas. The towering red cliffs, scenic overlooks, and quiet hiking trails give you that instant desert wow factor. The park is especially stunning at sunrise and sunset when the canyons glow orange. Visiting early or late in the day is also recommended depending on the season as it can get very hot quickly!

Things to Do

Visitor Center
Start you visit at the Visitor Center to find restrooms, maps, a gift shop and displays. The center has a large window stretching across the back of the building to offer scenic views of the canyon.

Kids can also obtain a junior ranger book to complete and earn a badge and pin. There are also rubber stamps you can add to your National or State Park Passport books.

Scenic Drive
The 13 mile scenic drive is one of the easiest ways to experience the park and a great option for all ages. There are multiple pull offs with short walks and photo opportunities. Just know that the road is one-way so try and make each stop along the way if of interest since you can’t backtrack without exiting the park to start over again! If visiting during the peak season from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., a timed-entry permit is required.

Hiking Trails

Calico Hills
Red Rock Canyon has miles of scenic trails. Our family hiked four of the popular family trails during our visit. When our flight arrived in Vegas in the late afternoon we took a quick drive into the park to explore part of the Calico Hills Trail. This trail has several different starting points and you can hike as far as you wish for great views of the canyon both above and below.

Calico Tanks
The next morning we arrived early to tackle the Calico Tanks hike. This 2.2 mile hike was our favorite. The trail starts in a wash before becoming a moderate rock scramble through a scenic canyon.

The end of the trail passes by seasonal water pools called tinajas before climbing to a final overlook with views of Las Vegas below. The kids did great on his hike as they love any opportunity for rock climbing while the adults loved the scenic views the whole way. This trail can get busy so I recommend an early start.

Lost Creek & Petroglyphs Wall
The last two trails we explored are very close to each other. Lost Creek is less than a mile round trip and leads to a seasonal waterfall. The trail passes through a lot of plants that were buzzing with bees which my kids were not a fan of!

Just down the road is the trailhead to the Petroglyphs Wall trail. This very short and easy path leads right up to a rock face covered in petroglyphs.

Red Rock Canyon Things to Know

• Entry Fee: There is a per vehicle fee of $20. National Park annual passes are accepted such as the America the Beautiful pass. We used our 4th grader parks pass for entry. A timed entry reservation may be required during peak season. You can make reservations for the entry online in advance for a $2 fee (plus park admission.)
• Hours: The scenic drive has set operating hours per season. Check current times before visiting.
• Pets: Pets are allowed on most trails but must remain leashed.

Corn Creek Desert National Wildlife Refuge (30 minutes from Las Vegas)

There are several Desert National Wildlife Refuges near Vegas but the Corn Creek location is just a short drive from Vegas with a wonderful visitor center and several miles of easy trails to explore.

Things to Do

Visitor Center
The Visitor Center has great interactive exhibits, a movie, gift shop, and information. The hiking trails also start from here and are well marked. Don’t forget to get a Junior Ranger book and badge.

Hiking Trails
The Corn Creek trail system leaves from behind the visitor center, and the 1.5 miles of trail winds through different habitats. There are also cultural remnants, including an old cabin built in the 1920s from old railroad trails. The trails are flat and easy and perfect for all ages.

Corn Creek Things to Know

• Admission: Free
• Hours: The refuge is open 4:00 a.m. – sunset year round. The Visitor Center is open Thursday – Monday from September – May, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hoover Dam (45 minutes from Las Vegas)

Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel and a great quick stop near Las Vegas. It is impressive in photos but even more so in person.

Things to Do

Walk Across the Dam
You can walk across both the dam to see Lake Mead and across the bridge downstream of the dam and look down into the Colorado River. One fun part about walking across the dam is that you can cross between two states (and two two time zones) by standing on the border of Nevada and Arizona.

Visitor Center
Learn about the history and construction of the dam. The Visitor Center was closed when we visited so we will have to try and explore there on our next trip. This is also where you can join guided tours of the dam and the powerhouse.

Hoover Dam Things to Know

• Entry Fee: There is no entry fee for exploring the outside of the dam, but the Visitor Center, Dam, and Powerhouse tours do have fees. There is a parking garage next to the Visitor Center that is $10 for parking, but there are also parking lots on the Arizona side of the dam that are free. We were able to arrive early and park for free and walk across to the Nevada side.
• Hours: The dam is open to the public daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (PST).
  Visitor Center open Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) Doors close at 4:15 p.m. Last tour departs at 4:10 p.m. (Expect security screening for tours)

Emerald Cave Kayaking (1 hour from Las Vegas)

Kayaking to Emerald Cave was one of the highlights of our first trip to the Vegas area. Paddling along the Colorado River with canyon walls rising around you is unforgettable!

There are many kayak tour options available in the area, but the Kayak Emerald Cave Express was the perfect option for our family. This 3 hour tour includes about 4 miles of easy paddling up and down the river. We stopped at a historic site and the real gem, Emerald Cave.

We booked our tour with Evolution Expeditions. You have the option of a shuttle picking you up from Las Vegas or meeting them at the launch site. Since we were planning to visit Hoover Dam anyway, we decided to drive ourselves to the launch site as it is only a short drive on the Arizona side from Hoover Dam. Driving yourself also saves on the ticket cost. The tour included snacks and drinks, but I recommend bringing water, sunscreen, a hat, and my favorite waterproof phone case.

Valley of Fire State Park (1 hour from Las Vegas)

Valley of Fire feels like stepping onto another planet. The bright red sandstone formations glow in the sunlight and the landscape is dramatic in every direction. This park surprised us the most on our first visit and is definitely a bucket list state park to visit.

Things to Do

Visitor Center
A brand new Visitor Center just opened in 2025 and it’s beautiful! The center has restrooms, maps, a gift shop, and a large exhibit area. Our kids loved the interactive activities of the displays. The old Visitor Center still has restrooms available.

Scenic Drive
All of the roads in the park are incredible scenic. Even if you don’t have much time, you can take a drive and stop at several overlooks. I recommend also driving White Domes Road, Fire Canyon Road, and stopping at the CCC Historic Cabins. Fire Canyon offers a sweeping overlook at the end of the road.

Hiking Trails

There are miles of trails to choose from and many of them are short and kid-friendly. These were our top three trails to explore in the park.

Fire Wave
This short hike leads to one of the most photographed rock formations in the park. The swirling patterns are stunning, especially near sunrise and sunset. The trail just to the fire wave is an out and back and mostly easy. The parking lot can get busy as this is a popular hike.

We hiked this trail during our first visit to Valley of Fire in 2025 around sunset. We had planned to hike it again when we returned in 2026 by making a 3 mile loop to include Fire Wave, White Domes, and Seven Wonders. However, my son felt felt sick when we arrived at the park so we had to ditch that plan.

White Domes
Since we couldn’t hike the full 3 mile loop as a family, my husband and I instead took turns hiking just the White Domes loop while the other adult stayed with our son. This moderate trail is a little over a mile and is incredible scenic.

The trail includes climbing down a rugged canyon and passing by the remains of an old movie set. From there, the pathway passes through a narrow slot canyon. This was my favorite section of the hike and makes this trail a must do.

Mouse Tanks
Thanks to some headache medicine my son ended up feeling better and we were able to hike this trail as a family. Mouse Tanks is a great family trail as it’s mostly flat and offers endless views of petroglyphs as it passes through a wide canyon. My kids loved keeping an eye out to spot all the pictures on the canyon walls.

Valley of Fire Things to Know

• Entry Fee: There is a per vehicle entrance fee for out of state visitors of $15. (No National Parks passes accepted here)
• Hours: Open daily, from sunrise to sunset. We hiked the Fire Wave just before sunset (along with many other people) and when returning to our car they had closed the park road beyond that trailhead. So I would try and be back at your car before sunset. The Visitor Center hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park also closes for maintenance Dec 1 – Dec 14.
• Summer Heat: Temperatures can be extreme in summer. Visit early in the morning. Many trails are closed from May 15 – September 30 because of the heat and rescues.
• Pets: Leashed pets are allowed on trails.

Snow Canyon State Park and St. George, Utah (2 hours from Las Vegas)

Snow Canyon is one of our favorite hidden gems. It has similar red rock scenery to Zion on a smaller scale but with fewer crowds. Pair it with an incredible playground in nearby St. George for a wonderful family-focused getaway.

Things to Do

Jenny’s Canyon (Snow Canyon)
This short trail packs a punch. Follow a sandy path only 0.2 miles long to view a stunning slot canyon. The parking lot here is small, we had to circle back to find a spot.

Petrified Dunes (Snow Canyon)
This trail was incredible and so fun for kids. This 1.2 mile trail is an out and back but you can just explore as long or little as you wish. The petrified dunes are fun for climbing and amazingly scenic. This trailhead also has a small parking area, but we were able to find a spot fairly quickly.

Lava Tubes (Snow Canyon)
There are a few different route options for this hike. The full lava flow trail is about 2.6 miles while using the butterfly trail as a shortcut reduces the hike to around 1.7 miles. Both routes offer views of unique lava tubes. One is even large enough to explore by flashlight.

Thunder Junction All Abilities Park (St. George)

We visit a lot of playgrounds, and the Thunder Junction playground in St. George, Utah is one of the best we have seen! This park features a dinosaur theme that includes wheelchair-accessible playground equipment, a climbing wall, a volcano, a splash pad, and a 1/4-scale train on a 2,700-foot track. The theme is adorable and there were so many fun elements for kids both big and little.

We visited this park twice, once on a weekday in October (had it almost to ourselves) and again on a Saturday in February (completely packed but still fun.) The park is free to visit, but the train ride is $2 a person (cashless payment only.)

Things to Know

• Entry Fee for Snow Canyon: There is a per vehicle entrance fee for out of state visitors of $15. (No National Parks passes accepted here)
• Hours (Snow Canyon) Daily, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  Thunder Junction: Daily 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. (free admission)
• Summer Heat: Temperatures can be tough in summer. Visit early in the morning.
• Pets: Leashed pets are allowed on trails in Snow Canyon. No dogs allowed at Thunder Junction playground except service animals.

Death Valley National Park (2 hours from Las Vegas)

Death Valley is vast and dramatic. It holds the title of the hottest place on Earth, yet it offers some of the most unique landscapes we have seen. It really feels like being on another planet!

We visit Death Valley twice as we loved it so much. Our second recent visit in 2026 had the extra bonus of seeing both blooming desert flowers and water in Badwater Basin due to heavy rain in late 2025.

Things to Do

Zabriskie Point
On our first trip to Death Valley we left very early from the Vegas area in order to make it the park by sunrise and watch the view from Zabriskie Point. A short trail leads down from the overlook into the canyon below. The colors at sunrise and sunset are extra dramatic.

Twenty Mule Team Canyon
After watching the sunrise at Zabriskie Point, we backtracked just a bit to drive down Twenty Mule Team Canyon. This one-way road is gravel, but we found it easily passable in a car. The road winds through a canyon where scenes from Star Wars Return from the Jedi was filmed.

Dantes View
A narrow, winding road climbs up to the highest overlook in the park at over 5,000 ft. From the top you have a dramatic view of Badwater Basin below. This is also a great spot for sunset.

Visitor Center
Our next stop was the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to pick up Junior Ranger books to earn badges, stamp our parks passport book, explore the gift shop, and pose by the temperature sign. It was a much more pleasant temperature when we visited, but it can top well over 100 degrees in summer.

Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail
Heading north from the Visitor Center a short distance is this short and paved trail that leads around a historic borax mining site with adobe ruins and a 20-Mule Team wagon. Interpretive panels along the way explain borax processing, the story of the Mule Skinner and life in former town of Harmony.

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail
This boardwalk trail was closed during our visit but has no reopened. This ADA accessible 0.5 boardwalk offers views of Salt Creek and the rare pupfish.

Artists Palette
If you head south from the Furnace Creek area you will be following Badwater Road. You will pass the popular Golden Circle and Desolation Canyon hikes before arriving at the one-way Artists Palette Drive. This road is especially scenic early and late in the day. There are several pull offs where you can climb and explore the unique and dramatic landscape. We also saw wildflowers blooming along this road.

Devil’s Golf Course
Continuing south on Badwater Road, the next turn off is at Devil’s Golf Course. This short, unpaved road leads to the views of the jagged rock salt spires known as the Devil’s Golf Course. You can walk out on them, but be careful as the ground is very rugged.

Natural Bridge
Our next stop was to hike to the Natural Bridge. The hike is about 1.5 miles roundtrip, but you don’t even have to hike that far just to see the Natural Bridge. The trail is uphill on the way to the bridge.

Badwater Basin
Just past the Natural Bridge turn off you will come to the popular Badwater Basin parking area. Here you can stand at the lowest point in North America on the salt flats. An easy boardwalk leads to the salt flats and you can then make your own path and explore as far as you wish. Be sure to post by the elevation sign!

Our first visit the basin was completely dry and we could admire the unique formations in the salt. On our most recent visit this February, the rains had left behind the rare Lake Manly. This lake only occurs after heavy rainfall and can last for weeks before drying up. It is a rare sight to see and a beautiful spot at sunset.

Continuing south from Badwater Basin the road is a little rougher with fewer pull offs or trails. We did some amazing wildflower displays along this stretch of road.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are a must-see located in the Stovepipe Wells Village area of the park. We visited the sand dunes at sunrise and it was incredible! The kids had a great time running and climbing all over the dunes.

Mosaic Canyon
This was our last hike in Death Valley. We first visited the Sand Dunes for sunrise, then had breakfast at Stovepipe Wells before hitting the trail at Mosaic Canyon. This colorful canyon is very beautiful and the trail is easy to moderate. This is another path where my kids loved climbing on the rocks. The total trail is 3.5 miles roundtrip, but you can just hike part of the way and turn around to enjoy the views.

Death Valley Things to Know

• Entry Fee: There is a per vehicle entrance fee of $15-$30 or an annual or other federal lands pass is accepted
• Hours: 24 days a year, 365 days a year. Visitor Center hours vary by season.
• Food & Gas: There are limited services within the park. Gas can be found at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. You can find restaurants at the Oasis of Death Valley Ranch and Stovepipe Wells. We ate at the Ice Cream Parlor at the Ranch on both of our visits for both lunch and ice cream.
• Lodging: We stayed overnight at the Ranch at Death Valley in a deluxe motel room. The room was clean and quiet and we could walk right out to the pool or to the restaurants and shops at the Ranch. It was well worth it to be close to the park adventures.
  Extreme Heat
• Extreme Heat: Avoid visiting in summer. Temperatures can be dangerous.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed on most trails.
  

Zion National Park (2.5 hours from Las Vegas)

Zion is one of the most iconic national parks in the country. The towering canyon walls and the Virgin River create a landscape that feels almost unreal. It is busier than some of the other destinations on this list, but it is well worth a visit.

Things to Do

Visitor Center, Nature Center, & Human History Museum
Zion has a Visitor Center, Nature Center, and a History Museum. These offer exhibits and a spot to pick up Junior Ranger books and a gift shop. The Visitor Center is also where you can park to ride the shuttles into the canyon if visiting during peak season.

Pa’Rus Trail
There are so many trails to explore in Zion that I’m not going to mention them all, but the Pa’Rus Trail is one that I feel is a must do for anyone. This paved trail connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. It is accessible for wheelchairs, pets on leashes, and bicycles and offers views of the Virgin River and the Watchman. We loved this trail at sunset and even had family photos done here by the amazing Zion Adventure Blog.

Watchman Trail
This 3.3 mile trail leaves from behind the Visitor Center and is a moderate climb with magnificent viewpoint of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale. We hiked this trail in the morning and practically had it to ourselves. There are some drop offs and it is rocky.

Scout’s Lookout via the West Rim Trail
This was our favorite trail at Zion. The trail is not easy as it climbs 1,000 feet in elevation up endless switchbacks to the Scout’s Lookout. This is also where the famous Angel’s Landing trail begins. Since our kids were not quite old enough for Angel’s Landing, we continued on the West Rim Trail for another mile or so for even more outstanding views before turning around. All in all we hiked around 6 miles or so on this trail.

Emerald Pools & Kayenta Trail
We have not done this hike yet, but the trail to the Lower Emerald Pools is easy while the Middle and Upper Pools are moderate. The pools can also be accessed from the moderate Kayenta Trail.

Riverside Trail & The Narrows
This paved and easy trail follows along the river. The end of the trail is where the popular Narrows hike begins. Recent rains had the water level up a little higher than we felt comfortable with my youngest child during our visit so we did not do this hike but it’s on our list for next time!

Canyon Overlook Trail
This trailhead is located in the east side of the park. Parking can be diffcult as there are two very small lots. The trail is only about a mile round trip. The ground is rugged but there is little elevation change and the view is dramatic at the end. Use caution with kids as there are drop offs.

Things to Know

• Shuttles: Most of the year you are required to ride a shuttle to access the canyon area of the park due to the road being a one way in and out and limited parking. The shuttle is free but is can be crowded. (Even at 6:30 a.m. we had to wait for a couple shuttles to get on.) Parking at the Visitor Center to access the shuttle fills up early. A second shuttle also operates between Springdale and the Visitor Center.
• Entry Fee: There is a per vehicle entrance fee of $20-$35 or an annual or other federal lands pass is accepted
• Hours: 24 days a year, 365 days a year. Visitor Center hours vary by season.
• Food: We loved the breakfast buffet at the Zion National Park Lodge we had one morning after hiking! (The power had gone out at our hotel so there was no breakfast that morning.)There are many other places to eat in Springdale
• Lodging: You can stay at the Zion National Park Lodge or in the nearby town of Springdale. We stayed in a family room with two bedrooms including bunkbeds at what is now the Hyatt Place and it was great. (It was the Holiday Inn Express when we stayed but has been renovated)
• Pets: Allowed on certain paved trails only like the Pa’Rus trail

Joshua Tree National Park (3.5 hours from Las Vegas)

Joshua Tree combines desert landscapes with unique twisted trees that you will not see anywhere else. This park is a little more of a haul from Vegas so I definitely suggest an overnight stay. The park is easy to explore and very kid-friendly with endless rocks for climbing and exploring.

Things to Do

Cholla Cactus Garden
We drove to Joshua Tree from Death Valley and arrived just in time for sunset. After an overnight in Twentynine Palms we started bright and early to catch the sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden and it was one of the most dramatic we have every seen! The trail here is only 0.2 mile but the views of the unique cacti are incredible.

Arch Rock & Heart Rock
This popular trail is an easy 1.7 mile loop that offers both the chance to view a dramatic natural arch and a heart shaped rock. This is a great family trail.

Skull Rock
This is a a quick and very popular stop with a rock formation shaped like a skull. You can also access the longer split rock trail from here.

Hall of Horrors
This less popular trail circles a large rock formation. Along the backside of the trail at about the halfway point of the loop, you can head north to the tower rocks and find a secret slot canyon.

Hidden Valley
This is another easy loop trail surrounded by rock formations that is great for all ages. This was probably my favorite of the trails we explored at Joshua Tree.

Things to Know

• Entry Fee: There is a per vehicle entrance fee of $15-$30 or an annual or other federal lands pass is accepted
• Hours: 24 days a year, 365 days a year. Visitor Center hours vary by season. The Twenty-nine Palms north entrance or the south entrance are much less busy than the west entrance in the town of Joshua Tree.
• Food: No food in the park but lots of options in Twentynine Palms
• Lodging: No lodging in the park other than campgrounds. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Twentynine Palms and it was fine.
• Pets: No pets allowed on trails
• Heat: This is another desert park that can get very hot in the summer. Try to visit fall through spring. February was perfect!

Why you should Visit Las Vegas as a Family

Las Vegas might not look like a typical family destination, but when you treat it as a base camp instead of the main attraction, it opens the door to some of the most unforgettable outdoor adventures in the country. We would absolutely do this trip again as there are endless opportunities to explore.

Have you ever visited this area of the Southwest?

*Disclaimer: Our family was hosted and compensated by Allegiant Airlines for one of our visits to Las Vegas. All opinions and reviews are our own.