Hit the tarmac from Las Vegas – where ghost towns and desert trails await on the ultimate road trip

Leave the neon behind to discover ghost towns, canyons, and desert wonders beyond the Vegas Strip (Picture: Travel Nevada)

While Las Vegas buzzes with excitement, there are plenty of adventures to be had when you put the neon lights in your rearview mirror for a day to head off on a road trip.

It may be tempting to stick around The Strip, but just beyond the horizon, you’ll find stunning state parks, eerie ghost towns, and jaw-dropping feats of engineering and architecture.

Sagebrush Saloon bars are dotted along the open roads to refresh you as you go, with cowboy hospitality and tales of the Wild West.

And it doesn’t have to be an epic road trip; Nevada holds a host of adventures accessible on a short journey from Vegas. Go from Neon to Nature on the open road, even if you just have a day or two to spare. 

Swap neon for nature to breathe desert air and uncover Wild West stories at Valley of Fire (Picture: Travel Nevada)

Spot shy wild animals hiding in the shade of rocky overhangs, or step on the gas for an off-roading adventure. Get your cowboy vibes on in authentic old western towns, largely unchanged from the day they were built, or discover the local bohemians, creating art from the natural resources around them.

Looking for an offbeat adventure? Try these day trips from the bright lights of Vegas…

Red Rockin’ Loop

60-110 miles

Swap the close-up of the roulette wheel for the endless horizons of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Whether you choose to drive, bike, or hike the trails, the red sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations are a stunning backdrop to your trip.

Reaching 7,000 feet high in the dry desert landscapes, the buffs and sands are home to wild desert tortoises, hawks and burros. And the backcountry highway of Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive is a true highlight, just make sure to get reservations before you go.

Trade roulette wheels for red horizons: Towering cliffs, desert trails, and wildlife await at Red Rock Canyon (Picture: Travel Nevada)

Next stop on the loop is Spring Mountain State Park, an oasis as lush as the desert is dry. Natural cold springs fuel the area, with the historic ranch boasting yoga sessions on the lush lawns plus picnic areas that include barbecue grills.

Get spooked at the Goodsprings ghost town, a relic of the region’s mining history, before kicking back with burgers and beers at the nearby Pioneer Saloon. The tin-roof bar is an authentic slice of Old West life in the desert, as are the bullet holes in the walls.

Fire & Water Loop

125-175 miles

Valley of Fire State Park is less than an hour away from Las Vegas, but the otherworldly landscapes make it feel like you’ve gone to Mars. Odd rock formations in deep reds and ochres make for mysterious viewing.

Climb to the top for unparalleled views over the scenery, with roaming desert bighorn sheep in the distance, hummingbirds sipping the nectar of rare desert flowers and raptors soaring overhead.

Just an hour from Vegas, Valley of Fire’s red rocks appear to be from another planet entirely (Picture: Travel Nevada)

You can also explore the Lost City Museum, featuring Nevada’s first human inhabitants from more than 1,000 years ago. The museum tells the story of the Ancestral Puebloans in the Mojave Desert.

If speed and action are more your thing, head to Mesquite for some off-roading, while the art lovers explore the Mesquite Fine Arts Center – a marketplace for local artists and artisans to display their creations. 

Colorado River Corridor

70-250 miles

Hoover Dam is a modern miracle of engineering, and without it, there’d be no Vegas. Take a tour of the jaw-dropping structure or walk along the viewing bridge to marvel at the ingenuity and sheer scale of vision.

Nearby Boulder City, built to house the Hoover Dam workers, is as full of small-town charm as the Dam is huge. Explore the boutique shops, cafés, and galleries before you set out to Black Canyon Water Trail for a kayak trip down the river, past coves and caves, hot springs and cool beaches.

Marvel at Hoover Dam’s mighty engineering, then unwind in charming Boulder City before kayaking Black Canyon’s waters (Picture: iStock)

The ghost town of Nelson is home to the Techatticup Gold Mine. Cosplay as a prospector, where the buildings and scenery are unchanged on a site that looks like a movie set in the stunning Eldorado Canyon.

End the day on the Laughlin Riverwalk, with nightlife and casinos on the Colorado River, also a haven for river beach-bumming and water sports.

Roll the dice one last time to pick your trip into the wild. Just a short drive away from Las Vegas into the desert, you’ll find eerie ghost towns of the Wild West, otherworldly natural landscapes and action just as exciting as the Las Vegas Strip. It’s the perfect way to get a fix of decadence and natural delights in a single trip.