Although known for its glitzy stage shows and high-stakes, free-wheeling casinos, Las Vegas is actually a place with a great deal of fun to be found outdoors. Beyond the themed hotels and hotels with roller coasters, energetic nightlife, and round-the-clock gambling action lies a destination filled with fun, non-stop outdoor diversions set against a beautiful desert environment. If on your next trip to Las Vegas you want to do more than simply pull slot machine levers and watch Elvis impersonator shows, then read on to discover a spectacular list of things to do outside in Las Vegas.
1. Ride a buggy in the dunes (from USD 251.0)
If you’re one to dare yourself, join an adventure of a lifetime with this buggy excursion that’s going to be pumping your adrenaline to its limits! You may choose to go solo or tag-team with your friend and then conquer the complex terrains of Las Vegas.
The trails are about 15 miles (24 kilometers) long, but of course, you’re not to take on this challenge until you’re equipped with safety gear and briefed thoroughly. This tour also includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel.
Vegas Mini Baja Chase Dune Buggy Adventure
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
2. Fly above the stunning desert and ride a hot air balloon (from USD 299.0)
Gliding over the valleys of Pahrump aboard a vibrant hot air balloon is one of the best things to do outside of Las Vegas. Located about an hour away from the Strip, this hot air balloon ride is ideal for families or groups of up to 16 members. Aboard the colorful balloon, you’ll be a first-hand witness to the beauty of the Nevadan desert from up above.
To commemorate your trip in the skies, you’ll be given a flight certificate upon landing, and then you’ll be toasting champagne with your crew.
Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne Toast
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
3. Saddle-up for a good time (from USD 119.0)
This single-file trail ride allows you to experience a true cowboy adventure. With the starting point at a horse ranch in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, guests will begin the tour with a hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, pancakes, toast, hash browns, a choice of ham, bacon, or sausage, orange juice, and coffee. Explore trails ridden by some of the American West’s most notorious villains! You can also catch glimpses of canyon wildlife, such as speedy road runners, even faster jack rabbits, and graceful bighorn sheep. This package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and you’re in capable hands with an expert wrangler/guide leading the way. The minimum age for this expedition is seven years of age. Helmets are provided upon request, and those under age 12 are required to wear the head protection.
Morning Maverick Horseback Ride with Breakfast from Las Vegas
Duration: 5 hours
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Lace up your hiking boots for a superb desert walkabout (from USD 129.0)
Admire the sandstone scenery and desert vegetation during this tranquil hike through dramatic Red Rock Canyon. No matter your endurance level, this tour offers a knowledgeable guide who will aid you in choosing from three trail options that best suits your hiking level and interests. Two distinct trails can be explored, and each offers their own unique characteristics. You’ll learn about the rare features of this desert landscape from an expert guide. Bottled water is provided and it’s best if participants wear light clothing and comfy shoes with a gripping sole. There’s a convenient pickup and drop-off on the Las Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas Red Rock Canyon Hiking Tour with Guide
Duration: 4 hours
5. Awesome off-road romp (from USD 184.0)
Participate in this exciting off-road adventure and you can traverse terrain comprised of cactus forests, red rock formations, and mountain ranges. You can also explore a haunted gold mine and lunch in the Old West. After an instructional lesson, climb aboard a fun ATV or UTV and start your guided expedition through a desolate, but beguiling landscape surrounded by the mighty Colorado River. Hop off your vehicle and stretch your legs with a walking tour of the eerie Techatticcup, a mine believed to be haunted. Your guide will take you through the dark and dank spaces the miners once occupied while mining for gold. Having worked up a fierce appetite, enjoy lunch at a restored 19th-century mining camp before ending this memorable day.
Old West Adventure and Eldorado Canyon by ATV or RZR in Las Vegas
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
6. Terrific 2-wheel action in splendid surroundings (from USD 145.0)
Witness the natural beauty surrounding Las Vegas on two-wheels with this fabulous scooter tour. Spend a serene time in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area exploring this area that showcases wondrous desert landscapes. Admire red- and buff-hued rock formations, and sandstone and limestone cliffs that soar to elevations up to 7,000 feet (2,133 meters). Participants can opt for a morning or afternoon tour, and a secure helmet, refreshing bottled water, and a convenient Las Vegas hotel pickup and drop-off is included. You’ll learn about the interesting history and geology, captivating wildlife, and pretty fauna of the region. You’ll also have the opportunity to climb some of the impressive formations!
Scooter Tours of Red Rock Canyon
Duration: 4 hours
7. Rugged & raucous enjoyment in the desert (from USD 229.0)
Boasting the longest ATV tour in Las Vegas, this adventure takes you along the scenic and dusty trails of McCullough Mountain Range, Hidden Valley, and the Roach Dry Lakebed. This tour’s departure point is in Jean, Nevada, about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The package provides an air-conditioned shuttle that does a hotel pickup and drop-off. The best part of this excursion is no experience is required, because comprehensive safety instructions are provided at the beginning of the tour. During the exciting ride, experience lovely desert landscapes and extinct lava beds. Morning and afternoon tours are offered. If you choose the morning time frame, there’s a bonus stop-over at the end of the tour on the California border at Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino.
Hidden Valley and Primm ATV Tour
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
8. Fun in the sun with guns (from USD 145.0)
With over 50 types of guns to choose from, this adventure is great for a sharp-shooting pro or a first-time novice. This outdoor shooting range gives its participants the thrill of shooting with steel and exploding targets that are not allowed at indoor ranges. The range is furnished to handle Las Vegas’ extreme temperatures, offering a unique firing-line that’s cool in summer and warm in winter. Complimentary coffee is supplied during the winter months and ice-cold bottled water in the summertime. A friendly and expert instructor will guide and teach about operation and safety, along with each guns’ unique features and capabilities. This outdoor activity near Las Vegas offers eye and ear protection, souvenir photos of you at the firing-line, the choice of a private or small group, and classy limousine transport.
Outdoor Shooting Experience at Adrenaline Mountain Las Vegas
Duration: 4 hours
9. Go full throttle in your dream car (from USD 249.0)
Your need for speed is completely satisfied with this high-octane activity. The site is the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 18 miles (28.9 kilometers) north of the Las Vegas Strip. Participants can choose from a number of top-class sports cars, from Ferrari or Lamborghini to Porsche or Corvette, and many more. There are package deals available that give you the chance to drive more than one model of car! A 30-minute safety course is given before you hit the racecourse. Then, as a passenger, you’ll take a two-lap test drive in a Porsche Cayenne GTS, so you can get the feel of the track. After that, you’re let loose. In the driver’s seat, race the track at top speeds of 130 mph (209 kmh). This adventure is nirvana for speed fiends.
Two-Hour Exotic Car Driving Experience Package in Las Vegas
Duration: 2 hours
10. Thrilling bird's-eye view of Las Vegas (from USD 31.0)
Admire the Las Vegas Strip from a different perspective with this exciting zipline adventure. The ultimate adrenaline rush, this sky-high escapade whisks you across the Las Vegas landscape at 33 mph (53 kmh), 500 feet (152.4 meters) above the earth. The zipline runs from the top of the 50-story Masquerade tower, located at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino’s Voodoo Rooftop Nightclub and Lounge, to the Ipanema tower. The distance is a heart-stopping 800 feet (243.8 meters)! There’s no age limit, but after 7.30 pm (19.00 pm) it’s only open to those 21 and older. There are obvious height and weight restrictions, and, it goes without saying, this ride is not for the faint of heart.
VooDoo Zip Line at The Rio Hotel with Las Vegas Strip Views
Duration: 5 minutes
11. Premiere parachuting over Las Vegas (from USD 234.0)
With plenty of things to see outside of Las Vegas, it’s only fitting that you book this tour! Experience the exhilarating sensation of free-falling to earth with this top-notch skydiving adventure. You’ll be fully prepared before the big drop, with expert instruction, safety measures, and proper equipment fittings. You’re afforded mind-blowing views of the bustling Las Vegas Strip and the beauty of Red Rock Canyon as the plane makes its way to the drop zone. All instructors are certified, so you can rest assured your jump will be as safe as it is thrilling. When you step through the door of the airplane, you can expect to free-fall at a speed of 120 mph (193 kmh) for 45 seconds, your parachute is then deployed and you float securely back to terra firma. Upon landing, you’re welcome to purchase a DVD of your once-in-a-life-time experience.
Las Vegas Tandem Skydiving
Duration: 5 hours
12. The ultimate zipline adventure (from USD 161.0)
Get your blood pumping with this thrill-seeking adventure at the top of Red Mountain. Perched atop the summit, this tour offers 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometers) of zipline cable that not only provides a head-spinning surge of adrenaline, but a chance to admire astounding views of Las Vegas, Lake Mead, and the Eldorado Valley! This adventure features one of the most stupendous zipline systems in the world, and zipline speeds reaching up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour. It’s a 15-minute trek to the first platform that rests 3,800 feet (1,158 meters) above sea level. While zipping through this amazing terrain, be on the lookout for some equally amazing wildlife, like beautiful red-tail hawks and magnificent bighorn sheep.
Bootleg Canyon Zipline Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Las Vegas: ultra fun outdoor playground
You don’t have to be a blackjack junkie or Texas Hold'em gambling fiend to enjoy a fun-filled stay in glossy Las Vegas. There are loads to experience in this lively city when you step away from the poker table and walk outside. Whether you choose to explore the alluring desert terrain on two-wheels, four-wheels, on horseback, or even via a zip line, Las Vegas is equally thrilling outdoors as it is indoors. Don’t miss your chance to uncover a different side of Las Vegas, make your flight reservations and stay at the best hotels and resorts today!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to bookmark our articles, like local expert tips, receive great stories in your inbox, and follow writers and topics that you love.
Log in with Google ×