Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Credit: Bureau of Land Management
OUTDOOR
BY CRAI S. BOWER
LAS VEGAS NATURE AWAITS NO MATTER HOW YOU ROLL THE DICE
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? We’ re convinced that you’ ll be excited to share your next adventure when you catch the convenience of United Airlines’ daily and Frontier Airlines’ daily nonstop service between Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) and Harry Reid International Airport( LAS).
Whether discovered by foot, bike, or kayak, immersive outdoor adventure experiences also abound within ninety minutes of The Strip. When we think of stories and lights in Las Vegas, we typically imagine tall buildings and marquees, not the Mary Jane Falls trail that rises 1,000 feet over two miles or a sandstone tower’ s reflection in Lake Mead.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Desert National Wildlife Refuge encircle Las Vegas like the outer slots of a roulette wheel. Travel less than one hour in any direction, and you’ ll likely discover trails, terrarium-worthy flora and fauna, brilliant sandstone edifices, and, yes, water-based recreation.
Fill your water bottle and come explore this magnificent arid region, beginning with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Hiking trails traverse close to 200,000 acres here in the Mojave Desert. Sandstone towers stand sentry, the canvas for Indigenous petroglyphs.
Situated south of Henderson, the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area boasts hiking trails, unique flora, and Petroglyph Canyon. This canyon showcases an impressive 300 rock art panels featuring over 1,700 distinct design elements.
You can swap your pedals for a paddle on Lake Mead or Lake Mohave. A float down the Black Canyon Water Trail, a gently flowing stretch of the Colorado River, also offers a refreshing respite from the desert heat via kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard.
A unique desert foray is a winning bet for Las Vegas visitors who venture into the surrounding environs.
GETTING THERE
United Airlines has three daily nonstop flights and Frontier Airlines has daily nonstop flights between Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) and Harry Reid International Airport( LAS).
FLYWASHINGTON. COM 28 SPRING 2025