Can anybody recommend some good places to hike in the dessert or mountains near Las Vegas?|156636

Going there this weekend for a wedding. My girl and I have no interest in the city, gambling, or clubs. We want to see desert and some cool places out in the nature.

You have asked the right question. I spend my time in Vegas at all the scenic places. Most people don_t know that Vegas is surrounded by spectacular National Parks. Don_t miss them. Take a look at the videos at VegasNature.com. Their Visitor_s Blog has a lot of info too.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is located about 15 mi west of Las Vegas, and easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip. The area is visited by over 1 million visitors each year.

The conservation area showcases a set of large red sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. The walls are up to 3,000 ft (1,000 m) high, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. The highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 ft (2,485 m).

A one-way loop road, 13 miles (21 km) long, provides vehicle access to many of the features in the area. Several side roads and parking areas allow access to many of the trails located in the area. A visitor center is located at the start of the loop road. The loop road is very popular for bicycle touring; it begins with a moderate climb, then is mostly downhill or flat.

Red Rock Canyon itself is a side-canyon accessible only by four-wheel-drive road off of the scenic loop. The unnamed but often visited valley cut through by State Route 159 is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as Red Rock Canyon. The massive wall of rock called the Wilson Cliffs, or Keystone Thrust, can be seen to the west along this highway.

Mt Charleston is a great place to hike as is Red Rock Canyon, but know that it is made up of loose shale. Since the hot summer is over, Death Valley is a great place, but a long drive both ways and a very long day. Valley of Fire, on way to UT, is another site. People get hurt in Red Rock all the time.

But right in town on US95 at Valley View is the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. You can walk and walk and walk and see nature at its best plus many indoor exhibits. That would be the best option and about 8 miles from Strip.

Red Rock Canyon is on the western edge of the city and is a state park with gorgeous, brightly colored rock formations and is a popular hiking spot. On the east side is Lake Mead. I don_t know about the hiking but it_s a popular boating destination.

To the north is the Valley of Fire, another state park, with plenty of trails and Indian petroglyphs.

You can drive a little further and find yourself in Zion or Bryce Canyon. Both, I believe, are national parks and are stunning, each in its own ways. Bryce has some amazing sandstone rock formations cut into towers by centuries of erosion.

http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/de��
shows some of the lesser known hiking trails in the Sheep Range. These are the mountains you can see from Las Vegas if you look north.

Carry lots of water and hike prepared as these are real desert wilderness areas without snack bars nor toilets. Follow the trails as they are well marked, but don_t leave sight of them.

While on these trails, be observant of barbed wire fences with signs saying _Government Property, No Trespassing_. You are on the edge of restricted government areas. (Area 51 is on the north side of the Sheep Range.) If you find any alien artifacts, you can keep them, but leave the snakes alone.

Yes you may find snakes among which are the dozen or so varieties of rattlers that inhabit our area. Use normal snake precautions like not stepping over objects, but stepping on or going around them while watching the shadows. If you hear a rattle, freeze, locate the direction of the sound and back away before going around.

Snakes will warn you to stay away and will only strike if surprised or their warning is ignored. I_ve seen maybe a couple of dozen in all my years playing in the desert around Vegas. (VS my time on Ft. Irwin near Barstow, CA, where every bush seemed to have a sidewinder living under it.)

You are actually more apt to see wild burros and horses than snakes.

Red Rock Canyon would be what you are looking for. The views are great. They have designated paths but you can go anywhere you want and do what ever you want. You can climb a mountain if you wish. You will come across some fascinating animals and other creatures. A great place to experience the desert.

Hoover Dam! Bring water.

park at #13 freebie lot on AZ side.Take stairs to #11 lot, follow those stairs to #10 parking lot. Very steep. Got me winded! Walk across that lot to hoover dam. Tours inside not free. many photo opportunities!

Walking from Downtown to MGM (or vice versa) is not exactly a small expenditure. Especially on super hot days. Weather cooling down.
A few Walgreens to stop in for cool drinks or bars if you prefer!

Stomp on the wedding cake. That would be hiking in the dessert.

Seriously, use spellcheck. It_s DESERT!

Anyway, take Charleston west all the way to Red Rock Canyon. Good hiking there.

I wouldn_t go hiking in the dessert, very sticky. Although I guess an apple pie would be ok if the pastry was thick enough.

Red Rock Canyon is nice with lots of hiking.

Red Rock Canyon