Day trips · By car or guided tour · Checked against park agencies’ and operators’ own pages
Day Trips from Las Vegas: Six Worth the Journey, from US$20
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Las Vegas travel video: a practical first-trip guide | Mubboo Flights
This 3.8-minute city guide connects Las Vegas Strip, Downtown, Fremont Street, Spring Mountain Road, and Red Rock Canyon into a practical first-trip plan, helping travellers choose what fits instead of rushing through a checklist. Narration is in English; check the YouTube player for current caption options.
How to choose
Six trips, from 17 miles out to 278. Distance decides the day: the first three fit half a day, the next two need most of one, and the South Rim needs all of it.
Good to know
- Left out: Zion, under three hours each way, and Seven Magic Mountains, a short stop rather than a day.
| Item | Miles by road from Las Vegas |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Canyon | 17 |
| Hoover Dam | 30 |
| Valley of Fire | 52 |
| Death Valley, Furnace Creek | 120 |
| Grand Canyon West Rim | 129 |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 278 |
| Option | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Canyon · 30 minutes | A 13-mile scenic loop. |
| Hoover Dam | Interior tours can be cancelled at short notice. |
| Valley of Fire | Red sandstone; seasonal trail closures. |
| Death Valley · 2 hours | Remote and hot; a full day. |
| Canyon West Rim · 2 hours | Tribal land, with the Skywalk. |
| Canyon South Rim | The national park, and the longest drive. |
Red Rock Canyon: from US$20 a vehicle, 17 miles out
A one-way loop of 13 miles beneath red sandstone cliffs, and the shortest escape from the Strip. It takes 45 minutes without stops, so a visit fills half a day.
See or book a guided Red Rock Canyon tour
- Drive about 30 minutes; public transport does not reach the canyon.
- From 1 October to 31 May, hold a timed-entry reservation for any arrival from 8am to 5pm.
- Start at the visitor center, open 8am to 4:30pm, then drive the loop.
Good to know
- Phone signal is limited, so save your reservation before you set off.
| Item | US$ per adult or vehicle | € |
|---|---|---|
| Scenic Drive, private vehicle, all occupants | US$20 | ≈ €18 |
| Scenic Drive, bicycle | US$8 | ≈ €7 |
| Scenic Drive, pedestrian | US$5 | ≈ €5 |
On your own
Easy by car once a slot is held; no bus reaches the canyon.
With a guide
A four-hour guided run of the loop with entrance fees and hotel transport included.
Entry is US$20 a vehicle; a four-hour guided tour with entrance fees included starts from ≈ US$130.
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation
Hoover Dam: 30 miles, with the Power Plant Tour at US$25
The dam sits 30 miles southeast, on the Nevada–Arizona line. Interior visits are separate tours, and that is where the rules bite.
See or book a Hoover Dam day trip
- Park in the paid Nevada-side garage by the visitor center.
- Choose your interior tour first: tours run 9am to 5pm, last departure 4:10pm.
- Walk the top of the dam last; vehicles may not stop on it.
Good to know
- Interior tours can be cancelled with no prior notice, and refunds are provided, so keep the day movable.
- America the Beautiful passes are not accepted for tours.
| Item | US$ per adult or vehicle | € |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plant Tour, adult | US$25 | ≈ €23 |
| Visitor center exhibit tour, self-guided, per person | US$15 | ≈ €14 |
On your own
Easy by car: park in the garage, then pick the Power Plant or exhibit tour.
With a guide
A coach half day with the Power Plant Tour and hotel pickup; the driver narrates, no separate guide.
The Power Plant Tour is US$25 an adult; a coach half day with that tour included starts from ≈ US$60.
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation
Valley of Fire: from US$15 a vehicle, 52 miles out
Nevada’s oldest and largest state park is a drive of red sandstone formations, petroglyphs and short walks. Go for the scenery; the main trails are seasonal.
See or book a small-group Valley of Fire tour
- Check the day: the West Entrance is closed Monday to Thursday for construction, so use the East Entrance then.
- Start at the visitor center, open 9am to 4pm; the park is open sunrise to sunset.
- Do not plan on a rideshare home: return cars are often unavailable.
Good to know
- Many trails, including Fire Wave, close each year from 15 May to 30 September; the park shuts from 1 to 14 December.
| Item | US$ per adult or vehicle | € |
|---|---|---|
| Day use, out-of-state or overseas vehicle | US$15 | ≈ €14 |
| Day use, Nevada-registered vehicle | US$10 | ≈ €9 |
| Arriving by bicycle, per bike | US$2 | ≈ €2 |
On your own
Best by car; rideshare can strand you, and the entrance depends on the weekday.
With a guide
A six-hour small-group tour with a driver-guide, park admission and lunch included.
A car from out of state pays US$15; a small-group half day with park admission and lunch starts from ≈ US$100.
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation
Death Valley: US$30 a vehicle, 120 miles out
The country’s hottest, lowest and driest point lies about two hours away, in California. It is a big, remote day: start early and carry water.
See or book a small-group Death Valley tour
- Drive about 120 miles to the Furnace Creek visitor center, roughly two hours.
- Bring a card for the park pass; no cash is taken.
- Fill the tank first: the park has only three gas stations.
Good to know
- There is no public transport in the park, and most roads have no cell service.
| Item | US$ per adult or vehicle | € |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle, all passengers, valid seven days | US$30 | ≈ €27 |
| Motorcycle, up to two, valid seven days | US$25 | ≈ €23 |
On your own
Only with a car and a full tank; distances are long, signal is patchy and help is far.
With a guide
A small-group day with an English guide, all fees and a meal included, with hotel pickup.
The park pass is US$30 a vehicle; a small-group day with an English guide, fees and a meal included starts from ≈ US$180.
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation
Grand Canyon West Rim: about US$100 a person, 129 miles out
The West Rim is Hualapai tribal land outside the national park, and the Grand Canyon that fits a day from Las Vegas. Its Skywalk glass bridge hangs 4,000 feet above the canyon floor.
See or book a Grand Canyon West day trip
- Drive about 129 miles, around two hours; you park, and a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle serves every viewpoint.
- Every visitor needs the All-Access Pass, which already includes the Skywalk.
- Allow at least three hours; hours run on Arizona time, which ignores daylight saving.
Good to know
- This is not the South Rim: that rim is inside Grand Canyon National Park, 278 miles from Las Vegas.
| Item | US$ per adult or vehicle | € |
|---|---|---|
| All-Access Pass, adult, before fees; price varies by date | US$99 | ≈ €90 |
| Skywalk admission, added to the pass | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
On your own
Simple by car: parking is provided and the shuttle links the viewpoints.
With a guide
A luxury-coach day with a step-on guide, breakfast, BBQ lunch and Skywalk ticket.
The pass is about US$100 an adult before fees; a coach day with breakfast, lunch and the Skywalk included starts from ≈ US$130.
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation
Grand Canyon South Rim: the marathon, 278 miles out
The national park rim is the classic Grand Canyon, and the road from Las Vegas is 278 miles one way, within five hours. As a single day it is a marathon.
See or book a Grand Canyon South Rim day trip
- Drive 278 miles each way, or take a coach day of the same length.
- Inside the park, ride the free shuttle buses between viewpoints.
- Expect the extra non-US resident fee on top of entry, tour bus included.
Good to know
- The entry pass lasts seven days; the park takes cards only.
- The Skywalk is on tribal land, not at the South Rim.
| Item | US$ per adult or vehicle | € |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle, seven days | US$35 | ≈ €32 |
| Per person on foot or bicycle | US$20 | ≈ €18 |
| Non-US residents aged 16 and over, extra per person | US$100 | ≈ €91 |
On your own
Only with two drivers for a very long day; an overnight at the rim is kinder.
With a guide
A coach day with a step-on guide, lunch and admission, so someone else does the driving.
Entry is US$35 a vehicle, plus US$100 each for non-US residents, tour bus included; a coach day with lunch and a guide starts from ≈ US$180.
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation
If you only do one
Grand Canyon West, if you have a full day: two hours out, and the pass already includes the Skywalk. With only half a day, take Red Rock Canyon.
Good to know
- The national park itself: plan a night at the South Rim.
- Engineering: Hoover Dam, on a day you can move if an interior tour is cancelled.
- Scenery without the drive: Valley of Fire, on a day its entrance is open.
Attractions & day trips from Las Vegas
What it costs, and where to book
Prices checked 19 Sep 2026 · per adult or per vehicle as charted, tickets only, excluding fuel, transport, meals and accommodation. Amounts over 20 are rounded up. Ticket prices are per person for the first reviewed ticket and change by date.
Explore Grand Canyon Before You Book
Take a virtual drive or walk, then find tours and tickets for the places you like.
Where a guided day tour earns its money, and where it does not
A tour earns its cost where the drive or the rules are the hard part: Death Valley, the South Rim and Grand Canyon West’s shuttle system. Red Rock and Hoover Dam are easy by car.
Mubboo compares flights and tours and may earn a commission when a traveller uses a partner link. Booking and payment happen with the provider.
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation to drive into Red Rock Canyon?
From 1 October to 31 May, yes, for Scenic Drive entry between 8am and 5pm. From 1 June to 30 September no reservation is needed.
Is the Grand Canyon South Rim worth a day trip from Las Vegas?
Rarely. It is 278 miles each way, while the West Rim is far closer. Choose the South Rim only when the national park itself matters, ideally with a night there.
Do overseas visitors pay more to enter the Grand Canyon?
At the South Rim, yes: non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra per-person fee, including on tour buses. Death Valley charges overseas visitors the same as everyone else.
Can I go inside Hoover Dam?
Yes: the guided Dam Tour and Power Plant Tour go inside, and the Visitor Center exhibits are self-guided. Interior tours can be cancelled with no prior notice, with refunds, so keep the day movable.
Which Valley of Fire entrance should I use?
Monday to Thursday, the East Entrance: the West Entrance is closed for construction expected to run through the end of 2026. On Friday to Sunday the West Entrance is open too.
Plan deeper in Las Vegas
Sources (26)
Every figure above was checked on the dates shown.
- National Park Service — Lake Mead NRA: Nearby Attractions (distances from the Las Vegas Strip) — www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/nearbyattractions.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- Seven Magic Mountains — Visit: directions, parking and amenities — sevenmagicmountains.com/visit/ (checked 2026-09-19)
- Bureau of Land Management — Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area — www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/red-rock-canyon (checked 2026-09-19)
- Bureau of Land Management — Red Rock Canyon: planning your visit and fees — www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area/planning-your-visit (checked 2026-09-19)
- Recreation.gov — Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Timed Entry — www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10075177 (checked 2026-09-19)
- Bureau of Reclamation — Hoover Dam tours, fees, parking and notices — www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/ (checked 2026-09-19)
- Bureau of Reclamation — Hoover Dam directions — www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/directions.html (checked 2026-09-19)
- Nevada State Parks — Valley of Fire State Park — parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire (checked 2026-09-19)
- Nevada State Parks — Temporary Closure of the West Entrance at Valley of Fire (28 July 2026) — parks.nv.gov/news/temporary-closure-of-the-west-entrance-at-valley-of-fire (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Death Valley: Fees and Passes — www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/fees.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Death Valley: Directions — www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/directions.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Death Valley: Routes from Las Vegas — www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Routes-from-Las-Vegas.pdf (checked 2026-09-19)
- Grand Canyon West (Hualapai Tribe) — FAQs — grandcanyonwest.com/faqs/ (checked 2026-09-19)
- Grand Canyon West (Hualapai Tribe) — home page and All-Access Pass — grandcanyonwest.com/ (checked 2026-09-19)
- Grand Canyon West (Hualapai Tribe) — Plan Your Visit — grandcanyonwest.com/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-09-19)
- Grand Canyon West (Hualapai Tribe) — West Rim or South Rim — grandcanyonwest.com/how-do-you-choose-grand-canyon-west-rim-vs-south-rim/ (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Grand Canyon: Fees and Passes — www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/fees.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Grand Canyon: Directions and Transportation — www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/directions.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Grand Canyon: How Do I Travel to the South Rim? — www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/directions_s_rim.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- National Park Service — Grand Canyon: Alerts and Conditions — www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm (checked 2026-09-19)
- Mubboo Tours search, Las Vegas (the booking platform destination 684), term 'Red Rock Canyon guided tour' — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=684&term=Red%20Rock%20Canyon%20guided%20tour¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-19)
- Mubboo Tours search, Las Vegas (the booking platform destination 684), term 'Hoover Dam day trip' — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=684&term=Hoover%20Dam%20day%20trip¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-19)
- Mubboo Tours search, Las Vegas (the booking platform destination 684), term 'Valley of Fire small-group tour' — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=684&term=Valley%20of%20Fire%20small-group%20tour¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-19)
- Mubboo Tours search, Las Vegas (the booking platform destination 684), term 'Death Valley small-group day tour' — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=684&term=Death%20Valley%20small-group%20day%20tour¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-19)
- Mubboo Tours search, Las Vegas (the booking platform destination 684), term 'Grand Canyon West Skywalk day trip' — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=684&term=Grand%20Canyon%20West%20Skywalk%20day%20trip¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-19)
- Mubboo Tours search, Las Vegas (the booking platform destination 684), term 'Grand Canyon South Rim day trip' — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=684&term=Grand%20Canyon%20South%20Rim%20day%20trip¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-19)