Away from the lights and glamour of 5-star hotels are some of the natural excursions around Las Vegas City, which can be easily covered as a day trips from Las Vegas. The most popular one is the Grand Canyon Tours. Some other common tours from Las Vegas are Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon National Park, Lake Mead etc. Here in this blog I am sharing list of the 10 Best Natural Excursions From Las Vegas.
There are various companies providing bus tours to all these natural excursions, which includes pick up and drop from various locations in Las Vegas Strip, snack, guide etc. You can book these bus tours from various portal online or from hotel travel desk or from various tour shops at the Las Vegas strip. You can even hire a car and drive it yourself up to all these places. Cost wise, self-drive is the most economical option specially if in a group of 3 people and more. Following are 10 best natural excursions from Las Vegas –
1. GRAND CANYONS – South Rim or North Rim
The most popular place to visit for a day trips from Las Vegas is The Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon lies in the State of Arizona and share borders with Utah and Nevada. It is spread across an area of 4926 sq. kms.
Grand Canyon National Park is divided into two Rims – North Rim and South Rim. It is not possible to cover both the South and the North Rim on the same day, even though it appears to be close by on the maps. It will take 4-5 hours drive or 1-1.5 days by hiking to reach from one rim to the other. Probably, if a bridge is constructed in future between the North Rim and the South Rim, it might be easier and quicker to cover both in a day.
Difference between North Rim & South Rim
- North Rim is quite smaller in comparison to the South Rim.
- North Rim has only 3 viewing points where as South Rim has so many. River Colorado is visible from a lot of points on the South Rim but from the North Rim it is visible only from a single point and the view is quite unsatisfactory.
- North Rim is 8000 feet whereas South Rim is 7000 feet above sea level. North Rim is colder (approx. more than 10°C) than South Rim. As North Rim is colder, it experiences heavy snowfall during winters and is therefore closed from mid October up till mid May where as South Rim is open throughout the year.
- As North Rim is at a higher altitude than South Rim, it demands heavy trekking and hence not suitable for people with old age, kids or people with breathing or knee problems.
- View of the canyon is definitely more beautiful from the North Rim as compared to the South Rim.
Distance from Las Vegas: Both Grand Canyon South Rim and Grand Canyon North Rim are 280 – 300 miles, roughly 4.5 – 5 hours drive from Las Vegas
Duration of the tour: 14 hours for Bus Tour and 7 hours for Helicopter Tour
Price of the Tour: Roughly $78 – $100/Person for Bus Tour (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included). Helicopter tours usually cost $250 – $350/Person.
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for day trips bus tours and helicopter tours to Grand Canyon are readily available online on www.groupon.com, www.tours4fun.com, www.papillon.com , www.gctours.com etc. Tickets can also be booked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
2. Grand Canyon West Day Tour from Las Vegas
It is not a part of The Grand Canyon National Park and comes under the Hualapai Indian Reservation. Even though it is not as big as the South Rim, it is very popular because of the amazingly beautiful 10 feet wide, 70 feet extended horseshoe shaped glass bridge created about 4000 feet above the floor of the canyons called the Glass Skywalk, which is absolutely a thrilling experience. Walking on the glass floor gives an adrenaline rush, which is definitely worth trying. Always buy tickets of The Grand Canyon West Tour including Glass Skywalk with stop over at Hoover Dam.
Distance from Las Vegas: It is just a 120 miles, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours drive from Las Vegas
Duration of the tour: 12 hours for Bus Tour
Price of the Tour: Usually ranges from $113 – $150/ Person (including Skywalk ticket) for Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for day trips bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.grayline.com, www.papillion.com, www.tours4fun.com, www.groupon.com etc. Tickets can also be booked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
3. Antelope & Horseshoe Bend Combined Day Tour from Las Vegas
Antelope Canyon is extremely beautiful wave like creation carved on rocks due to the flooding of the area over years, situated in State Arizona. Such a landscape is extremely unique and worth visiting. There are two sections of Antelope Canyon – Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Antelope Canyon. Both are generally the same but Upper Antelope is more popular because of the photography tour offered here and also because sun beam passing through rocks can be visible from Upper Antelope Canyon and not from the Lower Antelope Canyons. People get better clicks at Upper Antelope Canyon but it is very crowded and it is slightly difficult to walk inside as pathways are narrower compared to Lower Antelope Canyon.
Horseshoe Bend is a beautiful rock creation – shaped like a horseshoe in the middle of dark greenish Colorado River, giving such a picturesque view worth admiring for hours. Surrounded by Canyons all around, this place is one of its kinds. Horseshoe Bend is situated close by (just 10 miles) to Antelope Canyon, hence, their visit is always combined together.
Distance from Las Vegas: 283 miles, roughly 5 hours drive from Las Vegas
Duration of the tour: 14 to 15 hours for Bus Tour
Price of the Tour: Roughly $75 – $150/Person for Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: There are not many tour companies offering Antelope and Horseshoe Bend bus tour from Las Vegas. The best online offer is from www.tours4fun.com, which was way cheaper ($68) than other online portals like www.getyourguide.com selling at $150/ Person. Tickets for this tour can also be checked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
4. Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks from Las Vegas
Both these National Parks in Utah can be planned together as a day trip from Las Vegas. They aren’t as grand as The Grand Canyon National Park but they are absolutely spectacular and won’t disappoint you, if you choose them over The Grand Canyon. The entire route from Las Vegas to Zion National Park and then further upto Bryce National Park is full of mesmerising landscapes, specially crossing Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel. If you are adventurous, then you can plan Zion National Park separately and hike till Angels Landing and then to the Narrows.
Distance from Las Vegas: 260 miles, roughly 4-5 hours drive
Duration of the tour: 15 hours
Price of the Tour: $115-$150 / Person for Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.klook.com, www.tours4fun.com, www.viator.com, www.getyourguide.com etc. Tickets can also be booked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
5. Kayaking Tour on Colorado River from Las Vegas
A mesmerising experience of kayaking for 2-3 hours on Colorado River to reach the emerald cave which is only possible on a boat. Kayaking starts from Willow Beach, which is just 1 to 1.5 hours from Las Vegas Strip.
Distance from Las Vegas: 57 miles, roughly1-1.5 hours drive till Willow Beach
Duration of the tour: 9 hours for Bus Tour
Price of the Tour: Roughly $100 – $120 / Person for Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.expedia.com, www.viator.com etc. Tickets can also be booked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
6. Death Valley National Park from Las Vegas
This largest national park offers a bundle of scenic views all around (Devils Golf Course, Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Furnace Creek etc) and therefore a perfect destination for photographers. It takes roughly 2-3 hours to reach. Best is to self-drive because there are very limited numbers of day trip bus tours available (due to limited demand) and those who offer, are highly priced. As it is a desert area and the hottest and driest place in the United States, it should be avoided during summers.
Distance from Las Vegas: 120 miles, roughly 2-2.5 hours drive
Duration of the tour: 13 hours for Bus Tour
Price of the Tour: $200-$239 / Person for Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for bus tours from Las Vegas are available online on www.taketours.com, www.tours4fun.com, www.getyourguide.com etc. Tickets can also be checked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
7. Lake Mead and Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas
Again, a small day trip from Las Vegas. Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel created during the hard times of The Great Depression. As of now, Hoover Dam provides water and electricity to the entire southwest region of United States. The huge structure of the dam, which today seems impossible to build, is definitely worth a visit. Lake Mead, which is a large reservoir created because of the dam is a beautiful artificial lake worth visiting. You can enjoy various sports activities here and even go for a cruise ride on the lake.
Distance from Las Vegas: 35 miles (40-50 mins drive)
Duration of the tour: 8 hours for Bus Tour
Price of the Tour: $100-$120 for bus Tour from Las Vegas
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for day trips bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.getyourguide.com, www.viator.com etc. Tickets can also be booked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
8. Mount Charleston from Las Vegas
If someone is looking for the shortest day trip from Las Vegas City then Mount Charleston is perfect. It is just 50 miles (45-55 mins drive) from Las Vegas Strip. Often seen from Las Vegas Observation Points, this stunning snow clad mountain stands tall at 11,916 feet. It is a good break from the desert area of Vegas. There are various activities up there like hiking, horse-riding and skiing etc. Mostly people self drive a rented car for this otherwise bus tour tickets can be booked online from various portals.
Distance from Las Vegas: 39.2 miles (45-55 mins drive)
Duration of the tour: 4-6 hours
Price of the Tour: Roughly $78 – $85 / Person for day trips Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.expedia.com, www.taketour.com etc. Tickets can also be booked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
9. Red Rock Canyons from Las Vegas
Amongst all the 10 best natural excursions from Las Vegas – Red rock Canyons is situated closest of all. If really looking forward for hiking experience, Red Rock Canyons is the perfect place. Being just a 30-40 mins drive from Las Vegas, this place offers mesmerising walkways and spectacular scenery all throughout the hiking trail. For this trip, it is best to hire a rental car and drive it yourself, covering all the main hiking points else bus tours are always available on various portals.
Distance from Las Vegas: 15-20 miles (30 mins drive)
Duration of the tour: 4-6 hours
Price of the Tour: Roughly range from $80-$100/Person for Bus Tour from Las Vegas (Pick up/Drop/Guide etc included)
Where to buy tickets: Tickets for day trips bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.groupon.com, www.viator.com etc. Tickets can also be checked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
10. Los Angeles Day Trip from Las Vegas
Los Angeles is just 4.5 – 5.5 hours drive from Las Vegas Strip. Instead of a day trip, I would suggest packing your bags and making Los Angeles you next destination for 2 days. Various buses are available from Las Vegas to Los Angeles throughout the day, which cost roughly $10-$15/Person. You can even try Uber Outstation for this if you are more than 3 people. Still if want to cover it just as a day trip then there are various Bus Tours available from Las Vegas.
Distance from Las Vegas: 265 miles (5 hours drive)
Duration of the tour: 15 hours
Price of the Tour: $200-$250 / Person for Bus Tour Day Trips from Las Vegas
Where to buy tickets:Tickets for bus tours from Las Vegas are readily available online on www.getyourguide.com, www.viator.com etc. Tickets can also be checked from the Hotel Travel Desk or various small retailers available in Las Vegas Strip.
Read More From Las Vegas
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Suggested Hotels and Areas to Stay in Las Vegas
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