Enjoy a Hike Near Las Vegas

Some hiking enthusiasts may think that the desert surrounds Las Vegas. The desert is true, but the mountains are also incredible, and make up some of the U.S.’s most unique landscapes. There are many different places to visit: history-packed paths through arid desert plains, mountains of sandstone that erupt from the ground, and box canyons which are so tight, the heat cannot penetrate them. Las Vegas is surprisingly accessible for great hike, with these trails all being within an hour of the city.

You can also check out hiking near Denver if you are ever near the area.

Historic Railroad Trail

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The first is an excellent trip for the kids because it is educational and almost flat. Nobody should tire too quickly. The remains of the railway that was used to build Hoover Dam can be found on the edge of the Lake Mead Recreation Area. The tunnels were 25 feet wide and lined with steel reinforcements. The trailhead can be found on Lake Shore Road, near the Alan Bible Visitors Center. It is an 11-minute drive to the dam. The trail travels four miles through five tunnels of 300 feet each before reaching the parking lot at Hoover Dam. There are also many animals on the trail, such as bighorn sheeps, owls and various species of lizards. It’s not the most “natural” of trails, but it is a great place to spend a day, learning about the engineering marvels that America has achieved, and enjoying the shade provided by the tunnels.

Frenchman Mountain

By Stan Shebs CC-BY-SA 3.0 Link

This hike is only 20 minutes away from the Strip and can be completed in just a few hours after work. The 2-mile trail has a 1500-foot elevation gain, and it takes an hour and a half to ascend. It will take fewer than 30 minutes to return. You can reach the highest point on the eastern side Las Vegas Valley by taking East Lake Mead Boulevard, a few miles outside the city. The trail to the top crosses three “peaks”, the first being a false summit followed by a saddle. The trail continues on to the lower northern peak, followed by another saddle and then the higher southern summit. It can be challenging to climb and descend between these summits, but you will enjoy the view from the top.

The trail is a service road that connects the communications equipment at the top. Though it may sound like a gentle climb, it could not be farther from the truth. The switchbacks make it look like a steep road.

Ice Box Canyon Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area

By BLM Nevada, CC BY 2. and Link

The name of this hike is enough to tell you that it’s the best way to beat the summer heat. Ice Box Canyon can be found in Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area which offers a variety of great hikes. Ice Box Canyon is cooler than other trails because of a mountain stream that runs through it, and the fact that its base is too narrow for much sunlight.

This is a relatively easy hike, with only 2.6 miles of round-trip distance and 500 feet in elevation gain. This is a great hike to start in the morning because you will need to cross nearly a mile open desert before you can reach the canyon. The trail is not very well marked after the first mile. You’ll be following a boulder-strewn riverbed. The path leads to a three-stage waterfall.

Valley Of Fire

freeimages.com/Garret Voight

Valley of Fire State Park was Nevada’s first park. It was created in 1935 in order to preserve a truly unique landscape in the southeast part of the State. The park’s burnt orange sandstone formations and walls of gray or tan limestone create an otherworldly look. It’s no surprise that the Mars scenes of the 1990s Sci-Fi movie Total recall starring none other Arnold Schwarzenegger were filmed here. The park is also home to petroglyphs dating back to the Basketmaker Culture, which was America’s first known inhabitants.

The majority of trails are short, and there is little elevation gain. You can complete a few in one day. Petroglyph Canyon Trail, a 0.75 mile loop that passes several rock faces with their distinctive etchings, is the best way to see remnants of Basketmaker Culture that once thrived in this area. The Mouse’s Tank is a large rock basin at the end of the trail. It was a gathering place for locals and the location of many petroglyphs. The park charges $8 for day hikes ($10 for residents from out of state), and $20 for camping amongst rocks.

The conclusion of the article is:

Las Vegas is incredibly hot during the summer. It can be quite hot, but when temperatures drop below 90 degrees it is a wonderful place to hike. The area is a great place to hike because it doesn’t get much rain or snow. Mountains, colorful rock formations, and rugged desert peaks give the area an unmatched beauty. Use these four hikes as an opportunity to escape the neon lights and consumerism of the city.