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Las Vegas is famously known as the "Strip." But the fun doesn't start and end at the "Strip'. It is also the gateway to these Nevada State and National Parks and Recreational Areas. These state, national parks, and recreation areas offer gorgeous views, scenic drives, nature hikes and tours, camping, and wildlife viewing. These parks may charge a fee for entry. Each park fee varies. Click on each park and recreation area for more information.
- Driving times are approximate and may vary with traffic and road conditions.
- Plan your time accordingly as you explore the parks and travel back and forth from Las Vegas.
- Check on the weather on what is the best time to visit. Be prepared for adverse weather conditions.
- Dress appropriately and keep yourself hydrated.
- Consider lodging when time constraints your visit.
- Follow travel advisory. Check alerts & current conditions to learn about any current restrictions or closures.
- Note: No regulations for private driving but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates 10-Hour Driving Limit after 8 consecutive hours off duty for PASSENGER-CARRYING DRIVERS.
Tip: Enlarge the map by clicking on the top right and locating the park you plan to visit.
Find the list on Nevada State Parks and filter by amenities.
📔Take the Passport Challenge. The Nevada State Parks Passport booklet can be picked up at any state park. Visitors who have their booklets stamped at 15 different parks will earn a free annual pass to all Nevada State Parks.
🆓Nevada State Parks offers free admission on "Discover Nevada State Parks Day," on the 2nd Saturday of June. And also on "Nevada Public Lands Day," held on the last Saturday in September.
1. Spring Mountain Ranch - 30 minutes
2. Ice Age Fossils State Park- 30 minutes
3. Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort - 30 minutes
4. Mt Charleston - 1 hour
5. Valley of Fire - 1-hour 30 minutes
6. Big Bend of the Colorado River - 1-hour 30 minutes
7. Kershaw-Ryan State Park - 2 hours 30 minutes
8. Cathedral Gorge State Park - 3 hours
9. Spring Valley State Park - 3 hours 30 minutes
10. Cave Lake State Park - 4 hours
11. Beaver Dam State Park - 4 hours
12. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park - 4 hours
13. Walker River State Recreation Area- 5 hours
14. Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park - 5 hours
15. Fort Churchill - 6 hours
16. South Fork State Recreation Area- 7 hours
17. Washoe Lake - 7 hours
18. Rye Patch State Recreation Area - 7 hr
19. Cave Rock. Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake, Van Sickle at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park - 7 hours
20. Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park - 7 hrs
21. Wild Horse State Recreation Area - 8 hours
Las Vegas is the gateway to national parks in the West
17 Federal Recreation Areas are within 5 hour one-way drive from Las Vegas. Perfect for a day trip drive.
The National Parks have been called "America's Best Idea." We are part owners of America's more than 400 national parks. Plan to spend outside, exploring, learning, and playing. Please note that federal lands are managed by four federal agencies. Entry fees and fee-free days may vary at each location.
Most land management agencies also sell annual passes that allow unlimited access to public lands that normally charge an entrance fee. Options range from the $30 Northwest Forest Pass offered by the U.S. Forest Service to the $80 America the Beautiful Pass that applies to all federal lands. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass costs $80 for one full year from the month of purchase (through the last day of that month). The pass can be purchased in person or online.
There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth-grade students, and disabled citizens. The pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that normally charge an entrance fee.
22. Red Rock National Conservation Area, Nevada - 30 minutes
23. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada - 30 minutes
24. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Las Vegas, NV - 30 minutes
25. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area - 30 minutes
26. Mojave National Preserve, California - 2 hours
27. Death Valley National Park, California - 2 hours
28. Castle Mountains National Monument - 2 hours
29. Zion National Park, Utah, 3 hours
Click for Zion National Park Tours
30. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 3 hours
Click for Bryce Canyon National Park Tours
31. Joshua Tree National Park, California - 4 hours
32. César E. Chávez National Monument, California - 4 hours
33. Horseshoe Bend - 5 hours
34. Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona, 5 hours
35. The Wave Arizona - 5 hours *separate permit required and not included in the fee-free days and the annual pass
36. Channel Islands National Park, California - 5 hours, *No fees or passes are currently required to visit but fees may be collected by concessionaire boats (Island Packers) and planes (Channel Islands Aviation) or private boats.
37. Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona/Utah - 5 hours
38. Great Basin National Park, Nevada - 5 hours
39. Cabrillo National Monument, California - 6 hours
40. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah- 6 hours
41. Sequoia & Kings Canyon, California, 6 hours
42. Rainbow Bridge - 7 hours
43. Yosemite National Park, California - 7 hours
Click for Yosemite National Park tours
44. Arches National Park, Utah, 8 hours
45. Saguaro National Park, Arizona, 8 hours
46. Mesa Verde/Four Corners, Colorado, 8 hours
47. Pinnacles National Park, California - 8 hours
Click for the Trip Planning Guide and Checklist to help plan your trip.
Tribal Recreation Areas
These places have their own reservation tickets.
48. Grand Canyon Skywalk/ West Rim, Arizona - 2 hours
Click to Save over 15% When You Walk in the Sky at the Grand Canyon West
49. Antelope Canyon - 5 hours
Click for Antelope Canyon Tours and Tickets
50. Monument Valley, Arizona - 8 hours
Click for Monument Valley tours
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This article was first published on Jan. 11, 2021, and is regularly updated. Last update: Jan. 14, 2023. Disclaimer: The information contained in this post, to the best of the author's knowledge, was accurate at the time of publishing. We do our best to ensure and maintain the accuracy of this information.
