After Las Vegas The Natural World after the Trade Shows

A dirt pull-off area on the south side of E. Lake Mead Blvd (NV 147) provides access to an overlook. The path is badly littered, the interpretative geology signs vandalized, and the smog makes for challenging photography, but maybe worth a stop if you're heading east early in the morning.

Las Vegas from Sunrise Mountain

White Rock Canyon, a moderate hike to the Colorado River south of Hoover Dam, is also the land access to Arizona Hot Springs.

Colorado River at the Mouth of White Rock Canyon

The mouth of Arizona Hot Springs canyon is a short but obscure hike southward along the Colorado River from the mouth of White Rock Canyon. (Boaters have a sandy beach right at the mouth of the Springs canyon.) The hike up canyon is also short, but more physically challenging. You'll get wetter, but warmer, as you proceed to the hot pools.

    
Arizona Hot Springs: Scramble the Chute, Climb the Ladder, Soak the Pools

My list of places to visit on future LV trips:

In addition to Ash Meadows, other areas of interest in the Amargosa River area are Oasis Valley, Amargosa Canyon, and Shoshone/Tecopah

Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area

Buffington Pockets along the Bitter Springs Trail

Muddy River / Meadow Valley Wash

Springs Preserve

China Ranch

Mojave National Preserve's Piute Gorge.

Earthworks artist Michael Heizer reportedly has threatened to shoot anyone who tries to visit his monumental City uninvited, but this piece, near Nellis' infamous "Area 51", sounds like the must-see sculptural descendant of Tikal and other ancient American sites.

Please share your experiences in these places or suggest additional locations for Future Expeditions by commenting to this page.

The "Dunes" are more like badlands and the "Recreation Area" is a power toy playground.

Power Toy Tracks

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is <1 hr. outside of Las Vegas. It features a scenic loop drive and hikes of various lengths and challenges.

View Coming Out of Icebox Canyon

Valley of Fire State Park is ~1 hr. outside of LV, with scenic drives and short hikes featuring unique scenery and native American petroglyphs. Popular Hollywood 'alien planet' landscape. Spectacular at sunrise/sunset.

White Domes Area