Go Beyond the Las Vegas Strip and Discover a Different Side of Nevada
Raise your hand if you’re tired of the Las Vegas Strip.
Raises both hands.
Las Vegas is one of those places you have to experience at least once in your lifetime. It’s honestly hard to explain what it even is... you kind of just have to experience it.
Now, this blog is not your average
“Top 10 Things to Do on the Las Vegas Strip” travel guide. This is a different kind of guide.
Honestly, I probably should have titled this:
“Are They Sending You to Yet Another Conference in Las Vegas and You Want to Do Literally Anything Besides the Strip?”
Well, I have good news for you.
As the former president of the Vegas Hater Club (and by “hater,” I mean I don’t actually hate it, I’m just over it because I’ve been there way too many times) I want to show you what’s beyond the Strip, because there is so much beauty and nature closer than you probably realize.
Now, this one is a little tricky because most of these places do require a rental car and some extra time.
Let’s say you’re going to Las Vegas for a conference and only have one or two days to spare. I’m going to break these down by driving distance from the Strip, from shortest to longest.
If you’ve read our story blog, you know my husband and I live in Dallas, Texas, and we are not scared of a little driving. You’ve probably heard a Texan say, “If you drive eight hours in Texas, you’re still in Texas.”
But as your travel bestie, I would never steer you wrong. I promise these places are worth it.
1. Hoover Dam ~35–45 Minutes
Of course I had to add Hoover Dam. It’s probably the most obvious option, but it’s also one of the easiest stops from the Strip, especially if you’re limited on time.
I mean... did you even leave Las Vegas if you didn’t stop by Hoover Dam?
The dam is absolutely massive. One of the wildest facts about it is that it contains enough concrete to build a two-lane highway stretching from San Francisco to New York.
The Nevada–Arizona state line also runs through the area, so during one visit you can technically cross between two states.
2. Lake Mead / Boulder Beach ~35–45 Minutes
Lake Mead completely surprised us.
The water was clear, the desert and mountain views were beautiful, and being from Texas, my husband and I were genuinely blown away by the idea of a lake where you could actually see what was underneath you.
This was probably the first time I ever swam in a lake without wondering what was touching my legs because... I could actually see the bottom.
The scenery around Boulder Beach is very unique, with desert mountains and rocky terrain that immediately makes you feel like you are nowhere near the Las Vegas Strip.
We sat right in front of the water with what felt like a front-row view of the mountains, and it was such a relaxing stop.
I definitely recommend bringing plenty of water and sunscreen because it gets HOT, especially during the summer months. We visited in late September and it was still pretty warm.
A fun fact about Lake Mead: when full, it is the largest reservoir in the United States by water capacity. It was created as a result of the construction of Hoover Dam, so the two are very much part of the same story.
3. Willow Beach, Arizona ~1 Hour 30 Minutes
Okay, this one is a true little hidden gem.
We drove out to Willow Beach thinking it was going to be just another fun adventure, but we were honestly blown away by the beautiful crystal-clear blue water.
The water felt amazing in the Arizona heat.
I do want to caution you that the current can become stronger depending on where you are, so always pay attention to conditions and stay within your comfort level.
The water can shift from blue to a more greenish color depending on the light, but the day we visited, it was this gorgeous blue.
I had personally never been in a river that clear before.
And one of the best parts?
When we went, it was practically empty. It felt like my husband and I had this little desert paradise almost completely to ourselves.
Fun fact: even though Willow Beach sits in the middle of the desert, the Colorado River water can stay surprisingly cold because the water is released from deeper parts of Lake Mead.
4. Emerald Cave ~1 Hour 30 Minutes
Okay, for this one, I personally recommend booking a guided kayak tour.
You have to get there by kayak, and to this day I still use Google Maps to get to the same grocery store I’ve been going to for more than four years.
So I will absolutely not be the one giving you kayaking directions.
A guided tour also gives you a better chance of experiencing the famous emerald-green color at the right time of day, because the glow depends heavily on how the sunlight enters the cave and reflects off the water.
Tours can start around $60, but as always, check current pricing before booking because rates can vary by operator and season.
5. Valley of Fire State Park ~1 Hour 35 Minutes
Okay, if you want that Instagram-worthy outdoor adventure shot, Valley of Fire is for you.
Let the haters know you are one outdoorsy queen or king.
I’m going to be honest: I went, did one of the shorter hikes, took my pictures, admired the scenery, and I was satisfied.
This is one of those places where the photos come out… fire.
No pun intended.
But if you are actually outdoorsy (unlike me pretending for the photos) there are multiple trails and scenic stops throughout the park.
Tiny fun fact to keep you here long enough to finish my blog: Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park, established in 1935.
The area also contains ancient petroglyphs created by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago, which makes the landscape even more interesting once you understand some of its history.
6. Death Valley National Park ~2–2.5 Hours
The only thing hotter than you and me, bestie, is Death Valley National Park.
Death Valley is famous for extreme temperatures, including the 134°F temperature recorded at Furnace Creek in 1913.
Now this place is mind-blowing both during the day and at night.
If you are able to stay overnight, I highly recommend it because there is so much to experience in one place.
You’ve got salt flats, sand dunes, colorful hills, mountain views, and multiple iconic stops throughout the park.
Honestly, you could spend an entire day just driving around and still feel like you didn’t see everything.
But the nighttime experience is what really stuck with me.
Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park, which means that on a clear, moonless night, the Milky Way can be absolutely unreal.
If you can, try planning your visit around a new moon so the sky is as dark as possible.
That was one of those moments where we just stood there looking up like... how is this even real?
If you have enough time, I would absolutely stay overnight.
Death Valley and the Grand Canyon South Rim are probably my top two choices on this entire list.
The conference can wait.
7. Zion National Park ~2.5–3 Hours
Zion National Park is another incredible option if you don’t mind the drive.
And just to clear up something I used to confuse myself about: Zion and Valley of Fire are two completely different places.
Zion is in Utah, while Valley of Fire is in Nevada.
One important note: you do not need a general permit just to visit Zion National Park, but certain hikes and activities may require permits or reservations depending on the trail and season.
For example, some popular hikes have specific permit requirements, so make sure to check the National Park Service website before your trip.
Zion’s massive sandstone cliffs were shaped over millions of years, including by the Virgin River.
One of the coolest things about the park is how much the landscape changes depending on elevation. You can go from desert-like scenery to cooler, greener areas during the same trip.
8. Grand Canyon South Rim ~4 Hours 45 Minutes
I genuinely do not have enough words to describe this place.
And I say this with all the love in the world, but if you are trying to decide which Grand Canyon experience to do, the South Rim is my favorite.
It is absolutely worth the drive.
The South Rim is part of Grand Canyon National Park and gives you that classic, massive Grand Canyon experience you probably picture in your head.
There is an entrance fee to access the park, so make sure to check the current National Park Service rate before visiting.
If you plan to do any serious backcountry hiking or stay overnight below the rim, you’ll want to research permits, trail conditions, and safety requirements ahead of time because hiking in and out of the canyon is no joke.
However you can still go around the trails and experience the Grand Canyon from above. This is truly an unique experience. If you are able to rent a sprinter van or even find a nearby hotel, I would recommend staying here overnight and experiencing the beautiful night sky.
The Grand Canyon exposes nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s geological history through its rock layers.
Another crazy fact: the North Rim and South Rim can look relatively close when you’re standing at the edge, but driving between them takes several hours because you have to go all the way around the canyon.
And trust me... once you’re standing there looking out over it, you’ll understand why people travel from all over the world just to see it.
P.S On the way back you can visit Route 66 and stop at their iconics rest stops and take a picture with the Route 66 sign!
A reminder that these beautiful places belong to all of us, so please treat them with care. Respect nature and wildlife, pack out your trash, stay on marked trails when required, and always travel safely.
Jesus & Elaine
Aerglo Travel
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