Road Trips From Las Vegas – 14 Epic Destinations

Vegas is one of the best places to launch a road trip from. There are so many incredible places within a few hours of the city, and the airport and rental cars tend to be cheaper than other nearby airports. I’ve taken many road trips from Las Vegas, especially while living full time in my campervan. I love the American Southwest, and Vegas is the perfect starting point for exploring it.

In this article:

• National Park road trips from Las Vegas
• Day trips from Las Vegas
• Other insane destinations close to Vegas that aren’t National Parks
• Suggested itinerary for 4 and 7 day road trips from Las Vegas

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National Park Road Trips From Las Vegas

There’s a shocking number of National Parks within a few hours drive of Las Vegas, which makes Vegas the perfect starting location for a road trip itinerary through the Southwest.

• Zion
• Bryce Canyon
• Capitol Reef
• Canyonlands
• Arches
• Grand Canyon
• Death Valley
• Joshua Tree
• Great Basin

1. Zion National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Zion National Park: 2 hours
Highlights: Angels Landing and The Narrows hikes

The drive time from Zion National Park to Las Vegas is just 2 hours, which makes it possible to squeeze in a quick one day trip to Zion if you’re short on time. It’s also one of my favorite National Parks!

One of the best hikes in the United States is located in Zion National Park (in my opinion) – Angels Landing. But honestly, all of the hiking trails along the Zion Canyon offer stunning views.

I recommend spending two or three days in Zion National Park and then continuing a Utah road trip to the Mighty 5 National Parks (also on this list).

If you’d prefer not to drive, you can also book a day trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park with a tour group.

2. Bryce Canyon National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Bryce Canyon National Park: 4 hours
Highlights: Navajo Loop & Queens Garden hike, sunrise on the rim

It’s just 4 hours from Las Vegas, and only 2 hours from Zion to Bryce Canyon. While it’s a bit too far for a simple day trip from Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon is still worth a visit.

It’s a smaller National Park, so one day in Bryce Canyon is enough to see the highlights. I recommend catching sunrise in Bryce from the rim of the amphitheater and then hiking Navajo Loop and Queens Garden trail so you can experience the inside of the canyon, too.

Plan a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park with this itinerary and travel guide.

3. Capitol Reef National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Capitol Reef National Park: 5 hours
Highlights: Sunrise at Sunset Point, fruit picking in the orchards

Capitol Reef is 5 hours from Las Vegas, or if you’re visiting Bryce Canyon it’s just another 2.5 hours. There’s lots of things to do between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park, too, like hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls and exploring Escalante National Monument.

You could spend an afternoon, or several days in Capitol Reef National Park. I recommend that you make time for sunrise at Sunset Point (yes, sunrise! It’s less crowded and the view is stunning), and fruit picking in the orchards. With a few more hours you can also drive Scenic Drive and hike to Cassidy Arch.

4. Canyonlands National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Canyonlands National Park: 7 hours
Highlights: Island In The Sky scenic drive, hike to Mesa Arch

Canyonlands National Park is a bit farther from Vegas – about 7 hours, and just outside of Moab, Utah. This makes it a great addition to a Utah Road trip, especially one from Las Vegas to Arches National Park (just a few minutes down the road!)

While it is a massive National Park, the best things to do in Canyonlands are primarily within the Island In The Sky district – which is also the easiest district to get to. I recommend driving along Island In The Sky road – a 34 mile round trip scenic drive through the park.

It’s also worth the short hike to see Mesa Arch (particularly at sunrise, but any time of the day is great!) Other great hikes in Canyonlands National Park include White Rim Overlook and Grand View Point.

5. Arches National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Arches National Park: 6.5 hours
Highlights: Sunrise at Delicate Arch, The Windows & Devils Garden hikes

Arches National Park is 6.5 hours from Las Vegas. That’s a bit of a drive, but the route includes 4 other National Parks which makes it a great road trip from Las Vegas.

From Arches, you could return to Vegas, or drive another 3.5 hours north from Arches to Salt Lake City to complete your trip.

As a smaller park, it’s possible to see the highlights with just one day in Arches National Park. I recommend catching sunrise in Arches at Delicate Arch (a short hike, or you can head to the viewing overlook) before checking out the great hikes in The Windows and Devils Garden areas of the park.

Read my complete Arches National Park itinerary & travel guide to plan your road trip from Las Vegas.

6. Grand Canyon National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Grand Canyon National Park: 4.5 hours
Highlights: Rim Trail, sunset at Hopi Point

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular day trips from Las Vegas. It’s a fairly straight forward 4.5 hour drive along major highways.

Or, there are also affordable options for day trip tours from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park that will pick you up from your hotel and take care of all the logistics for you. Helicopter tours from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon are also very popular.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most popular. The North Rim is harder to get to, and the road is usually closed during the winter.

Along the South Rim you’ll find lots of highlights, including Rim Trail (you can walk as much or as little as you’d like) and several viewpoints to see down into the canyon. I personally think Hopi Point is the best, because it protrudes out the farthest into the canyon giving you the widest views – particularly for sunset in the Grand Canyon.

7. Death Valley National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Death Valley National Park: 2 hours
Highlights: Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin, Dante’s View

Just past the California state line, two hours from Las Vegas is Death Valley National Park. It’s a massive National Park (the largest in the lower 48) with over 1,000 miles of road. It’s also the hottest place on earth – literally.

While you could spend several days exploring, it’s also possible to see the highlights in just one day at Death Valley National Park. I recommend making time to soak in the views from Artist’s Palette and Dante’s View.

Artist’s Palette showcases a variety of colorful variations in the landscape, which makes it unusual and a great place for photos. Dante’s View offers stunning birds-eye views of the valley below.

Finally, stop by Badwater Basin – the lowest point on the continent, which sits 282 feet below sea level.

From Vegas, there are day trip tours to Death Valley National Park with hotel pick-up and drop-off.

8. Joshua Tree National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Joshua Tree National Park: 3 hours
Highlights: Cholla Cactus Garden, Hidden Valley Nature Trail

Joshua Tree National Park is just 3 hours from Las Vegas and a great day trip, especially during the spring and early summer when the wildflowers are blooming.

My favorite spot in Joshua Tree is Cholla Cactus Garden. It’s an easy walk through tons of Cholla cacti. Hidden Valley Nature Trail is also a fun and easy trail, with tons of Joshua trees and massive boulders to snake through – this is also a very popular spot for climbing and bouldering.

9. Great Basin National Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Great Basin National Park: 4.5 hours
Highlights: Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive

Just under 5 hours from Vegas, Great Basin National Park is an often overlooked road trip from Las Vegas. The park has tons of things to see – from alpine lakes, the largest cave system in Nevada and several mountain peaks (including the tallest peak in Nevada).

While you visit be sure to take a guided Ranger tour of Lehman Caves. I also recommend driving along Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. It’s a 12-mile road with over 4,000 feet in elevation gain which means you’ll pass through a variety of landscapes on your way to the peak.

Additional Day Trips From Las Vegas By Car

National Parks aren’t the only options for road trips from Las Vegas! There’s also several fantastic destinations within a short drive, making them perfect for a day trip.

• Emerald Cave
• Seven Magic Mountains
• Horseshoe Bend
• Antelope Canyon
• Valley of Fire State Park

10. Emerald Cave At Willow Beach

Distance From Las Vegas To Emerald Cave: 1 hour
Highlights: Kayak deep green water, explore Emerald Cave

Emerald Cave is one of my favorite things from my recent trip to Las Vegas. It’s a short drive from Las Vegas and a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

I booked this guided kayaking tour, which included a kayak rental and guide who pointed out wildlife (I would never have seen so many mountain goats otherwise!) and navigated to the Emerald Cave. I highly recommend adding this to your Las Vegas itinerary.

Note: If you require a shuttle from Las Vegas then book this tour instead.

11. Seven Magic Mountains

Distance From Las Vegas To Seven Magic Mountains: 1/2 hour
Highlights: Seven Magic Mountains art installation

Just 30 minutes south of Las Vegas is Seven Magic Mountains. It’s a unique art installation located just off the highway, which makes it easy to get to, and a fun way to spend an afternoon.

12. Horseshoe Bend

Distance From Las Vegas To Horseshoe Bend: 4.5 hours
Highlights: Sunset at Horseshoe Bend (I’d also combine this with Antelope Canyon)

Horseshoe Bend is 4.5 hours from Las Vegas, and it’s located right next to Antelope Canyon. I recommend combining these two stops on your road trip from Las Vegas to Page, Arizona. You can also book a day trip tour to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon from Vegas instead of driving.

There’s a short 1.5 mile hike to get to Horseshoe Bend, and it’s a fantastic spot to watch the sunset.

13. Antelope Canyon

Distance From Las Vegas To Antelope Canyon: 4.5 hours
Highlights: Slot canyons

In order to explore Antelope Canyon, you’ll have to book a tour. There are several tour operators in the area. I recommend booking Antelope Canyon X if you’d prefer tall slot canyons, and Upper Antelope Canyon if you’re claustrophobic because it has wider slots which feel less crowded.

14. Valley of Fire State Park

Distance From Las Vegas To Valley Of Fire State Park: 1 hour
Highlights: Ancient petroglyphs, slot canyons

Valley of Fire State Park is located just one hour north of Las Vegas. It’s definitely a must-see during any trip to Vegas, and certainly worth adding as a stop to any road trips from Las Vegas that head up into Utah. Guided tours from Vegas to Valley of Fire are also available.

I recommend including at least one of these hiking trails on your itinerary:

• Fire Wave and Seven Wonders Loop (1.9 miles)
• Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse’s Tank Trail (0.7 miles)
• Elephant Rock Trail (0.3 miles)

4 Day Itinerary For Road Trips From Las Vegas

With 4 days for a road trip from Las Vegas these are the stops I would prioritize:

Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas and drive to Zion, stopping at Valley of Fire State Park on the way
Day 2: Full day in Zion National Park
Day 3: Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, full day exploring
Day 4: Return to Las Vegas

7 Day Itinerary For Road Trips From Las Vegas

With 7 days for a road trip from Las Vegas this is the itinerary I would follow:

Day 1: Fly into Vegas and drive to Grand Canyon National Park
Day 2: Morning in Grand Canyon, then drive to Page, Arizona (Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon)
Day 3: Drive through Monument Valley on route to Moab, Utah, spend afternoon in Arches National Park
Day 4: Visit Canyonlands in the morning, then drive to Capitol Reef for the afternoon
Day 5: Drive to Bryce Canyon, spend the day, head to Zion National Park at night
Day 6: Spend the day exploring Zion
Day 7: Drive back to Las Vegas, stopping at Valley Of Fire State Park on the way

Additional Resources For Road Trips From Las Vegas

• Zion National Park Planning Guides
• Bryce Canyon National Park Planning Guides
• Arches National Park Planning Guides
• Additional Road Trip Guides and Inspiration