When you hear Las Vegas, of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the fun you can experience in this Sin City. However, if you want to take your fun level a notch higher, then there are a number of road trips you can take beyond the strip. You can undertake both short-distance and long-distance trips from Las Vegas depending on how much time you have on your hands.

 

 

Nelson Ghost Town

There is something eerie about visiting a ghost town but simultaneously exciting. The Nelson ghost town is known for being abandoned long ago. You get to drive around and look at rusty old cars and buildings that have been left neglected for years. This Ghost town is approximately a 45-minute drive outside Las Vegas. The elements in this ghost town have been enhanced a little to make it more interesting with props like rattlesnakes, crashed airplanes, and so on. You can get some really nice pictures taken here. There are also tours available for the gold mine around. This gold mine in Nevada was operational for around 80 years and was shut down during the second world war. This short tour can be a perfect day trip. 

 

Valley Of Fire State Park

This is a great option for a day road trip if you want to go to a desert but don’t want to drive for too long. The Valley Of Fire State Park will make you feel like you are in a different world altogether with the rocky parts. There you will find a mix of rocks, different types of stone, and some excellent hiking routes. You will also get to see one of the oldest state parks in Nevada which dates back to the mid-1930s’. The drive can be a bit rocky so make sure you choose the right car for it. Also, the temperature there can get really hot so take along a cooler with you to keep your beverages cool.

 

Mojave National Preserve

This natural preserve can be reached within an hour’s drive from Las Vegas. It has a desert landscape with lots of different types of cacti. You will notice some interesting rock formations and picturesque scenery. The Mojave National Preserve is lesser-known to travelers so you can enjoy some solidarity there. Next, to this preserve, you can visit the Cima Dome and the Shadow Valley. You will notice that there are more Joshua trees there than anywhere you will see in the world. You will need an SUV or similar car to navigate through this area as there are several miles of a dirt track. 

 

Death Valley National Park

If you are looking for a road trip with some of the most extreme and gorgeous landscapes then you should go to Death Valley National Park. Bear in mind it can get really hot there. The most recommended time to visit this place is between November to March as in other months the temperature can be extremely hot. You will then be able to explore different landscapes in the valley, like the dried-out salt flats. These used to be lakes at some point in time. You can explore the rocky sections of the valley as well as the sand dunes. One of the most breathtaking views in this valley can be experienced during the night when you get a clear view of the stars in the sky. As there are no artificial lights around, the sky is radiant at night with the stars shining bright and clear. 

 

 

Lake Havasu, Arizona

This can be a perfect getaway for a few days for you and your friends to spend some quality time together. You can book an RV from RVezy depending on the number of people who are going with you. You can enjoy the London Bridge and go fishing there. These are the two very reasons that this destination is popular. There is an abundance of bass in this lake and it is quite frequented for big fishing competitions that take place here. This makes it a perfect spot for friends to park the RV, do some fishing, make a camp and enjoy the views. This is a long drive from Las Vegas so definitely can be a great road trip experience. 

 

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion national park is almost a 3-hour drive from Las Vegas. It is definitely one of the most scenic national parks in The United States. The park centers the Zion Canyon which is pleasantly green with forests. You will notice many different species of birds and animals there. There are many trails available so people with all types of hiking abilities can easily take one. There are harder and longer trails like The Narrows and easier ones for beginners like The Weeping Rock. 

 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is around 245 miles from Las Vegas. You can explore the wilderness in this which was declared a national monument in 1996. There are some amazing places to see in this place. The Zebra Slot Canyon offers a quick hike on a narrow rocky path. This hike however is recommended for more experienced hikers as sometimes you will need to squeeze yourself through very narrow gaps. The other place to see at the national monument is the eerily sanding large rocks in the Devil Garden in the middle of the desert. 

 

The Grand Canyon

One of the most popular destinations for a road trip from Las Vegas is surely the Grand Canyon. This 277-mile long canyon can offer you one of the most breath-taking scenery you will ever witness. No wonder this spot attracts more than 5 million visitors every year. There are many spots where you can halt and explore the Grand Canyon like the Toroweap and Twin Point Overlook that are along the north rim. You can also take the trail along the bottom of the canyon and head towards beautiful spots like the Little Navajo Falls, Tigabo Supai all the way to Beaver Canyon. All in all, this road trip will provide you with many chances to venture around and take in the different shades of colors sweeping down the surroundings. 

 

The Hollywood Road Trip

No one ever gets tired of looking down at the iconic Hollywood sign over the city of Los Angeles. This Hollywood road trip includes both Los Angeles and Malibu. It can be a good experience if you don’t want to take a road trip in the desert. Los Angeles has much to offer in terms of seeing and doing. You can visit Hollywood, and walk along the boulevard on the walk of fame. Following that, you can move over to the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive in the ever-famous Beverly Hills. If you are going on this trip with your family and there are kids with you then you definitely want to stop over at the Universal Studios in Hollywood and Disneyland in Anaheim. As you drive along you will discover Malibu beach. A place where you find endless miles of beach stretched along the coast to enjoy a perfect sunny afternoon soaking in the sun. 

 

Buttes Of Monument Valley, Arizona-Utah Border

To get the feel of being on a different planet, the Buttes of Monument valley will give you exactly that feeling. The view that will open up on this valley will leave you speechless. There are huge red rocks spread through the valley. Some of them are as big as 1,000 ft from the ground. You can get to this valley if you drive from the north or south of the Grand canyon. If you take that route then do a stopover to take in the views of the Horseshoe Bend and some parts of the Grand Staircase-Escalante national monument that will come on the way. This entire trip can be an epic experience with natural sights. 

 

Sierra Nevada To San Francisco

This can be a long road trip that you can take from Las Vegas which is about 569 miles and can take up to 9 hours or more. Though the drive may seem long this is a chance to take a proper road trip. You will need to make sure you have enough time on hand and are well equipped. If you manage to do so this can be the ultimate road trip you can take from Las Vegas. When you start off from Las Vegas, you can first stop at Death Valley. There are facilities available there so you can spend a day or two in this quiet and scenic place. You can then move ahead towards the Mammoth lakes followed by all the way through the heart of Yosemite. This is another spot wherein you can stop and take a break. Summertime is perfect for this road trip. Once you are in San Francisco, there are a galore of things you can see and do there. 

 

 

The above spots can help you decide on fun long and short day trips you can take. You can even combine several destinations into one trip, just as I did when I drove from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and Death Valley in one week. Make sure that you have a capable vehicle though, as well as necessary aids and equipment, and a truly positive mindset to explore the beautiful locations you will come across.